924Board.org

70-vp-43 · Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2002 11:42 pm Post subject: changing the roof

hello anyone,

is it possible to to use a roof of a 944 as a replacement for the roof of a 924. And i'm talking about the entire roof not just the targa. It would be nice if it were electric.
could anyone please help me wit this.

grtz erwin
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Erwin Kroonstuiver
'78 924 (Original Dutch, not imported(rare)

Lizard · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:07 am Post subject:

when you say roof do you mean moon roof or the hole roof pillars and all
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3 928s,

70-vp-43 · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 5:15 am Post subject:

I mean the top. I don't want to remove my windshield so I plan to cut it from left to right about 5cm from the windshield. And the the sides and the back i was plannig to cut where the roof meets the rest of the body.

So what I just want to know is if the roof is the same shape and size of that of a 944. if so I can replace the complete roof.

I know it is a difficult job but there is no other way and I got two professionals to help me.
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Erwin Kroonstuiver
'78 924 (Original Dutch, not imported(rare)

Lizard · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 5:31 am Post subject:

ok I follow Yes the roofs are the same size but not something I want to do as this is part of the structure of the car "shudder"

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3 928s,

Lizard · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 5:33 am Post subject:

Oh the other thing is make sure you run the wires and the moon roof drain plugs right
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3 928s,

70-vp-43 · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 5:42 am Post subject:

mine is already targa. that is the reason that it is so bad. i only want to replace the exterior roof and not the bars beneath the roof so the main structure of the car is not touched. so i don't think that it would be to much trouble. ok so i know it is difficult but a friend of mine has good confidence that it wil work.
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Erwin Kroonstuiver
'78 924 (Original Dutch, not imported(rare)

Peter_in_AU · Joined: 29 Jul 2001 Posts: 2743 Location: Sydney, Australia

replacing a roof is not as difficult as you might think. Back when I used to service a Ford Escort rally car we had the roof replaced 3 times on one car after rollovers. Any competent body shop should be ably to do it for you.
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1979 924 (Gone to a better place)
1974 Lotus 7 S4 "Big Valve" Twin-cam (waiting)
1982 924 (As featured on Wikipedia)

Learn to love your multimeter and may the search be with you

70-vp-43 · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:01 pm Post subject:

What we thought was the best way to do it was to drill holes throug the welds on the side and rear of the roof where it meets the side of the car(hope I discribed it clear enough)(I'm Dutch so bear with me)
Then cut it from left to right just between the front side of the targa and the windshield. Then whit a special tool make sort of an L-shape where the new roof sits on. the drill holes in it and weld it. so not weld it it completely from left to right because of the strange forces being released with all the heat. then put special metel plaster over it to make it smooth.

is this a right way to do it or do you suggest a different methode.

please let me know before I harm my baby beyond repair.

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Erwin Kroonstuiver
'78 924 (Original Dutch, not imported(rare)

john h · Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2002 10:25 am Post subject:

To replace the roof I would not cut the outer skin as it makes it real had to get a nice finish.
What I'd tend to do is remove the windscreen and the push on clips running along both sides aboth the doors and side windows, remove the rear hatch and all the rubber trim around the sunroof opening.
Once this has been done you can then see the spot welds holding the roof skin onto the structure. Just get a drill and drill out these welds and then using a chisel you should be able to seperate the skin from the stucture.
This takes time but means you end up with neater job and it is easier to fit the 944 roof.
The body shop I use here has a air powered drill which is set up to drill out the spot welds - It has a pad that rests on the body and then you push down and the drill will only go the depth you set - that way you only drill through the weld and not both panels.
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