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Well it’s happening...after toying with the idea since 2015 I finally found a glass roof and figured out a smart way to install the glass roof so I should start installing it early next month, I will try to keep this thread updated.
Last edited by awoychosky123; 4/16/18 at 12:23 PM.
Yes this roof is off a donor 2010 that was hit pretty hard in the passenger side quarter. My original idea was to buy the frame, glass, sunshade, headliner, trim all of tasca new but the total was going to be over 4k. So I managed to find this one and grab it for less than 1k. I still might need need black trim pieces ($500 each) plus pay for my body guy to help me install this as I cant weld for crap.
But I will try and take many pictures as we chug along. I want to get pictures of removing the old roof, dissembling the glass roof and welding the glass roof frame, just to name a few.
I love my glass roof, and you will too. I did not trade up to a 2015+ only because there is no glass roof option, so I am keeping mine until they do.
Thanks! Im really looking forward to the first drive. I personally think the s550s cant hold a candle next to the s197s, but the 2018 gauge cluster is nice. I figure if Ford wanted to they could have put glass on the s550s...
Originally Posted by 1 Alibi 2
Interesting project, what are you installing it on ??
Those are some good shots! Really love both your Shelbys.
Mine is going on my 2012/"2013" v6 base that has been upgraded to the 400a package with some 401a included, 2013 body and interior. 2013 shelby quads, some other things Im probably forgetting.
Just a pic to prove it was a 2012 base before I started touching it.
Last edited by awoychosky123; 4/18/18 at 09:33 PM.
Over the past 2 day I have managed to figure out the previous owner put a tint on the glass so I spent an afternoon stripping the tint and adhesive off. Then cleaning it with glass cleaner, looks real shinny now!
Today I found out while cleaning the sunshade that it was broken and wouldn't retract. So I had to spend today fixing it... turns out that not only did one of the shades rails come of the plastic guide but when it reattaches there is so much friction that it would not roll back and would just bunch up by the plastic handle. I fixed this by squirting some WD40 on the plastic rails and working the shade. It slowly got better the more I worked it. Its now buttery smooth. I then proceed to wipe off as much excess lubricant as I could to avoid getting any dripping lube on the headliner later. Some pics and video of operation after fixing.
Got the interior stripped today. Looking at the roof structure and frame nothing looks different between the glass roof and the regular roof so I think this will be a straight forward remove roof and weld in glass frame.
On a side note finally got to test the proximity sensor system I added to my car. Real simple. All cars are wired for the sensor already. All that has to be added is the overhead console with the sensor and a hood switch and run one wire back the the SJB. Then just reprogram the SJB and BCM-B with the correct programming.... 2011-14 cars do not have the security horn in the back of the car btw but 05-10 does? I dont know why....
My body-man swung by yesterday and he think this should be pretty easy and straight forward. I asked him if he though welding the frame would be better or cutting the pillars. He definitely thinks that welding the frame would be better. His only concern was if the windshield guys could take the windshield out without breaking it. But A new windshield is still work the glass roof to me so I still gave him the go ahead. Should be dropping it off on the 6th!
Is there any risk of the body sagging when the original roof is cut out, making it difficult to intall the new roof?
There should not be any issues but if there is, I will definitely document it. But we will get it in the end!
Originally Posted by jim010
Very ambitious.
I'm excited for you. What you are doing is cool. You're going to love having this new roof!
Don't forget to have your car appraised with this new mod for insurance purposes! And get full glass coverage.
Thanks, I figured it was time to start being bolder with my retrofit pioneering. Im really looking forward to the first drive in it. I was already planning a appraisal of the car since it is now a loaded 13' premium. After seeing the $2000 glass and another $1000 for the black trim. I definitely do not want to pay any of that out of pocket.
So I just got done dropping the car off yesterday. Today the glass guys are coming to remove the glass on my car and on the roof. Cost me $300 to get all the glass removed and installed. Wednesday I should know more about how that goes. I will hopefully go back up there and start doing the actually bodywork on Wednesday. I will try my best to take pictures!
Went over today and got some work done. My sheet metal roof is now off and the top of the headers are stripped off. Here are pictures of my car without the roof...really at the point of no return now....
Then we moved over to the donor part. We had to strip the frame that the glass sits on so it could be transplanted over. This was a ton of drilling. We first drilled all the spot welds with a 1/8" drill bit then went back over them with a spot weld drill bit. Then just a chisel and hammer.
This is the frame without the glass on it for anyone curious...you can see my old roof in the background.
This is about halfway through separating the frame from the chassis. You can see all the 1/8" holes in it from drilling out the spot welds.
This is what the donor part now looks like without the glass frame on it. Looks just like whats on my car right now...same sub frame.
Next we decided to do a dry fit of the frame.
This is us dropping the glass roof frame onto the car.
This is with the frame on from the front and back.
Starting to look like something. The next steps will be to weld in the frame and get it sanded (remove the urethane, smooth it all out, grind the welds down.) Then it will get primed and painted to match my L6 Kona Blue. Then we are waiting for the black trim that goes between the windshield and glass roof and rear glass and glass roof. Those are made from sheet metal and are impossible to remove without damaging them beyond repair....cost about $1000 in total just for those trim panels. After we put those trim panels in then the glass can go back, then reassemble the car! I should be going back up next Wednesday...by then the frame should be welded and painted. Then its just wait for those trim panels.
On a side note finally got my reverse sensors painted and mounted...not bad.
4/15/18, 05:46 PM
So I had to spend today fixing it... turns out that not only did one of the shades rails come of the plastic guide but when it reattaches there is so much friction that it would not roll back and would just bunch up by the plastic handle. I fixed this by squirting some WD40 on the plastic rails and working the shade. It slowly got better the more I worked it. Its now buttery smooth. I then proceed to wipe off as much excess lubricant as I could to avoid getting any dripping lube on the headliner later. Some pics and video of operation after fixing.
