Sunroof compatibility-84 TD wagon

[bhut2180]

I recently bought an 84 wagon that is amazingly spacious. One problem that it had was the sunroof surround was rusted allowing water to get into the cabin, Ive seen on ebay a guy selling the whole sunroof including the surrounding parts, which got me wondering whether there was any compatibility with going for a newer model. Currently I have taken out the manual sunroof and surround, anyone know if I can put a glass motorized one in from a newer year, obviously Id need to wire up the motor, but would the sunroof surround just bolt right in??

THanks all, oh here is the link from ebay so that the 'sunroof surround' makes sense.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300236158782&rd=1

[TylerH860]

W123 sunroofs have pretty strange dimensions, so I doubt that another later model sunroof would fit. An aftermarket system may be the most cost effective solution to your problem. Pictures would be a great help in determining the amount of damage.

I know of one particular member, Mattias08, who is considering putting an ultra-view cloth sunroof that would span the entire roof, similar to this. If I recall correctly, it is proffessionally installed, reasonably priced, and has a warranty.

[TylerH860]

I found the thread. $1,700, but I think it would look good on a wagon.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=221329


Some people were not too enthusiastic about it, as you can read. Perhaps you could PM this guy, since he has 2 extra manual sunroofs.

Originally Posted by pwjeep

I have an 85 123, and it has an electric sunroof. I have some issues with it but fortunately it is not rusted, leaking and is in the closed position. I had the brilliant idea last year when the electrics ground to a halt to convert it to a manual sunroof like you'd find in a wagon or a 240D low line. But here's the rub... I would have to remove the complete headliner to remove and replace it. Since all 123 headliners are trapped by the rear window, and since my headliner is in excellent condition, I will not be converting it soon.

That being said I do have 2 complete manual sunroof sets sitting in my shed out of 2 different 240D's. They are complete with the rails, inner and outer sunroof. If you have a hole in your roof, your headliner out and the well nuts in your roof, it's a fairly simple installation with about 16? or so bolts. You must also get the drain hoses installed. 2 go down the A post and 2 go down the C post or you'll end up getting wet.

If you are still wanting to cut into your roof, you're probably also looking at a roof paint job.

If it were my car, I'd leave it alone. If you want another bag of worms to contend with (rust, leaks, electrics quitting leaving the roof open) go the full electric route.

If you want the choice of 1 or both of the sunroofs I have, send me a PM. I'll get back to you. I want about $50 each plus shipping and handling...which won't be cheap... or if you want to come and get them it's just $50 each. I'm in the Detroit Metro area.

[bhut2180]

Thanks, yah I agree the cloth sunroof would look gorgeous on a wagon, if it didnt have a roof rack (which I do). My only other small issue with the cloth would be have 1700 one dollar bills lying around. If someone does it though, they have all of my approval, I'd love to see it. I think I will try contacting the guy that's got two in his garage, I was thinking of going to the junk yards this weekend and toolling around to see what I could find there. Somewhere in my fantasy world, I was hopeful that a nice electric glass one would fit right in.
I will see about getting pics up, the whole right side of the sunroof system is gone from rust and both front water holes have rusted though, thankfully the roof itself is rust free, so once I removed the sunroof system, all of the rust was gone, now just to fill the big whole with something with no rust nor leaks!!

[TylerH860]

There are other cheaper aftermarket sunroofs that are of decent quality, but oem is always the way to go. Good luck!

[bhut2180]

WHere might I find these aftermarket sunroofs?? If there less than $100 and still fairly functional or at least dont leak, I might consider that. Thanks again

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by bhut2180

WHere might I find these aftermarket sunroofs?? If there less than $100 and still fairly functional or at least dont leak, I might consider that. Thanks again

Not less than $100 that I know of. The dimensions of a W123 sunroof are strange, so finding one to fit would be difficult.

Your best bet would probably be a salvage yard.

[Thecorrupterx]

You could also take any of the electric sunroofs off of any w123 and convert them back to manual using the locking mechanism from your old sun roof, and your old cover should fit too. I took a manual sunroof out of a 300TD and put it in my 300D, I gutted the motor and cable then just bent off the cable tube and made ramps out of plastic and epoxy for the manual roof mechanism to ride up on.

There was/is/at some point a guide for converting from electric to manual, if you could find that all you have too look at is switching the locking mechanisms over and yours should work from there. if you are dead set on an electric sunroof then I am at a loss, but if you do get it to work, post some pics and let us know