Certainly, installing a sunroof on the roof of the car not only increases the aesthetic appeal of the car, but also provides additional benefits. The main functions of the hatch are ventilation of the cabin and comfort on the road in hot weather. Installation can be carried out as in a specialized salon, and with their own hands.
Car sunroof
What do you need a hatch for?
What are the benefits for motorists, installing a sunroof:
- There is another source of air flow, which leads to effective ventilation of the cabin, because the air comes from above and blows all the space, which is convenient for the driver and all passengers.
- Fresh air will come at low speeds.
- It is possible to be comfortable, without resorting to opening the side windows, which is very important when driving on dirt dusty roads, because much less dust gets into the cabin from above, than with open side windows.
If the car without a hatch
Motorists disagree, whether it is possible to install a hatch on the car, with their own hands or in car repair shops, if it is not provided by the manufacturer. Certainly, you are lucky, if your car already has a sunroof, which is installed at the factory.
Perhaps, there is a place in the roof of the car, which is specially allocated for the installation of the hatch, but due to incomplete configuration, it is simply closed with a cap. In this case, you can remove the cap and install a hatch in its place with your own hands - it's easy to do.
But if the model of your car is not designed to install a hatch, it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons of such improvements to the car. Will not affect the strength of the structure, how the car will behave in the event of a rollover accident.
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hatch installation
How to choose the right sunroof for the car
If you decide, that installing a sunroof on your car is really necessary, then remember a few rules, which should be guided when choosing components:
First of all, decide, how the hatch will open.
- There are two options for opening hatches:
- Sliding type hatches open parallel to the roof of the car. This type of hatches is perfect for those, who is going, except for the hatch, install a trunk on the roof. The hatch window rises slightly, and then shifts back, without touching the trunk frame.
- Hatches with lifting mechanisms are no less popular, which open only on one side, interfering, so, the appearance of vortices in the cabin. This option can be installed on almost any machine, but for each car brand you need to choose your option.
- The second question, which needs to be addressed, when choosing a hatch: how the lid will rise:
- The drive can be "manual", that is, you will just need to open it with your hand, pressing the handle of the hatch inside the cabin. This method is less comfortable to use, but has a low price.
- Electromechanical drive. He, Of course, an order of magnitude more expensive, but it is easier to open: you just need to press a button and make no effort.
types of hatches
- The next step in choosing will be the compatibility of the hatch and the model of your car. Remember, that not every sunroof can be installed on a particular car, so it is best to consult a specialist. You also need to remember, that not the last role is played by the company, which produces hatches. Trying to save on hatch costs, you, during operation, you can spend much more on repairing a poor-quality hatch or replacing faded glass.
We proceed to the installation
If you are confident in your abilities and skills, you are not afraid of difficulties and you do not want to turn to professionals, then, showing patience and accuracy, ви зможете встановити люк на автомобіль своїми руками.
What is needed for this:
- Cut out the pattern of the future hatch from thick cardboard, use it to mark the roof of the car in that place, where you plan to make a hatch.
- Remove everything from the ceiling in the cabin, which will make the job difficult: remove the shade, upholstery, carefully remove the wiring.
- Make a few holes along the contours of the marking, where you can insert an electric jigsaw.
- Edges, extending beyond the contour of the hatch, cover with cardboard and seal it with a special, construction tape. It is necessary, so that you do not damage the roof covering during installation.
- Using an electric jigsaw, cut a hole in the roof for your labels. Trim the edges, to make them equal.
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- After that, with a sharp knife you need to cut the same hole in the interior of the car on the spot, where the hatch will appear. If you install the hatch with your own hands, better, if someone will help you and keep him inside. be careful, so as not to injure the assistant and not to damage the interior of the car.
- Be sure to anticorrogate the edges of the hole, to protect the metal from corrosion.
- You can now install the hatch, to do this, apply silicone on its edge and install in the right place. Fasten the hatch with bolts only after that, as you will see, that all mechanisms work properly. Remember, that the first long screws are tightened, after them - short, and then secure the corner mounts.
- If you install an electrically operated hatch, then think, where the posting will take place, stretch it.
As you can see, installing a hatch with your own hands is not easy, but feasible.