I am going to install a C.R Laurence sunroof in my 01' single cab xlt. It's a cheap mod and it will be nice getting light in from the top... I've always missed having one. I would ideally like it to slide back but honestly it just looks weird since it would slide over and top of the cab, and just not look right for a truck. If I had an extended cab then it would be no question about getting a moon roof.

Anyways, I''ve pretty sure I got the size narrowed down but I had a question on a particular part that comes with them. I am currently looking at:

NP1732B5H - CRL/SFC 17" x 32" NewPort Sunroof With Universal Trim Ring - Solar High Performance Glass

or

NP1732B6H - CRL/SFC 17" x 32" NewPort Sunroof With Molded Trim Ring - Solar High Performance Glass

The difference being the first one comes with a universal trim ring, and the second comes with a molded trim ring...

They have a black and white picture of what that trim piece clamps down to but it's making no sense to me at all.

Anyone that might know anything about sunroofs care to explain what exactly the difference is would be awesome. I called the manufacture and talked to someone and he couldn't even explain the difference.

I have attached two pictures, the first one is what I want it to look like and is in a range. It's in a extended cab but that's ok. The second picture is in a single cab ranger but I do not like the look of the under trim piece... I like the first picture as it's a much cleaner look.

Any help would be awesome.

Thanks much!
-Nigel

 

First off, ALL SUNROOFS LEAK...........so know that going in.

May not leak the first day or even the second day, but it will leak at some point in the future, that just the nature of cutting a hole in a solid piece of metal and then letting it sit in the rain.

The reason I bring this up is that you want a sunroof that is easy to install, but more important is a sunroof that is easy to UN-install so you can re-seal it when it leaks.

The Universal looks best in that respect.

The only difference I see in either is the headliner backing material thickness, or if it even has solid backing

 

I'm hoping it doesn't leak for a while...lol

Ordered the SFC/CR Laurence Newport 14x32" sunroof. I think it's going to be fun honestly.

I choose this over the 15x30 because the newport has a slight curve to it in the front plus with an overhead console I didn' t want it to go to far into the trim piece. I think this is going to be a nice size for a single cab ranger. I should know here in about a week.

I did a spec-c roof vent for my Subaru STi back 7 years ago and it hasn't leaked so I am confident that this won't leak either. I am going to use 3m Windo weld urethane for the seal between the body and the sunroof frame, rather than just silicone.

I'll make a new thread and post some install pictures. Kinda excited to get some daylight in the cab!

-Nigel

 

I wish I had the guts to do this, I Think I'd really enjoy having the sunroof. Let us know how it goes. Possible How-To?

 

Welp this weekend is the install day!
hahha

I'll post pictures of the process and see what I can come together. I got the electric shears to cut the roof so it should be a pretty painless install as far as clean cut... I think the hardest part is going to be the headliner.

While I'm there I am going to install raamat all through out the truck... want to make it just a little quieter.

The sunroof I went with was the CRL/SFC Newport 14" x32" I could have probably gone with the 17"X32" but since I have the overhead console wanted to make sure it fit between that and the rear dome light. This should be perfect I think.

-Nigel

 

Good luck!! Please post a massive amount of pictures of install and plenty of before/after. A How-To would be incredible too. I'll be mounting my OHC soon so I want to see how it all looks in the truck.

 

How much? I didn't click links. There was a member who posted one that slid back. I like that look better than just a flip up one. I wish they offered this from the factory for rangers. If I do get an f150 soon it'll have this. I'd love one.

 

I got it from sunroof doctor for $180. They were quick with shipping and everything is pretty straight forward to install. I really like the sliding back sunroofs a lot but since I have a single cab it probably would look really odd driving down the road and it would make a lot of noise, plus I didn't want to deal with electronics or motors and it possibly breaking. This manual one is easy, straight forward and I can always remove the glass completely in about 5 seconds if I want the moon roof option...


I have some prior experience because when I bought my 05' STi brand new years ago about 6 months later I cut a hole in the roof for a Spec -C roof vent... so at the time cutting into a 30k car was way more nerve racking than my 01' ranger at the moment...lol

Almost 9 years later and no leaks on the Spec-C roof vent for my car...hahha

Looks just like:





-Nigel

 

If I remember correctly, the guy who did a slider style was also a reg cab.

 

Yea I have his thread bockmarked. I noticed he did a completely different headliner and had a different console up above. That was a concern since I don't have the tools or knowledge to do a custom headliner I didn't want something that would require me to fab one up, this way I at least get the light in the cabin and I can remove/vent the air. I think overall it will make it seem more open..hahha

Can't wait!

-Nigel

 

Tools, don't mind buying for the job. Patience to do a custom headliner on the other hand....in short supply! could you PM/Post that thread, i wouldn't mind taking a look. I can't wait to hear how yours goes, I wouldn't mind one. One, for looks and two for light/venting since I don't have AC the extra vent would be good for the summer.

 

Just a teaser picture....

It's installed, it poured last night... no leaks this morning. Only water that came into the cabin through the sunroof was because I had it open while driving and whatever water was on the glass came in... no different than having the window down.. So I don't fault the design on that, simply user error...hahah

So my truck is louder now since I didn't put all the interior inside because I am waiting on my RAAMAT to sound deaden the inside... figured since I have to remove the headliner might as well take other things out and try to quiet it down. Plus gives me a chance to clean the carpets..etc.

I didn't realize how hot the transmission tunnel gets without the carpet in there. I wondered why the interior of the cabin was getting sooooo hot, then i touched the floor and was like damn this is warm! The sound deadening matterial should actually help to keep the heat out as well, so that's another added benefit..

Welp, just a couple pictures for a teaser... I'm going to do a write up or maybe a short how to..


-Nigel

 

How nervewracking was cutting into the roof?

 

It wasn't too bad actually. The first hole is always the worst because there is no going back... As soon as the dremel cut off disk made the first small mark I said, welp here we go...

But honestly it wasn't nearly as nerve racking... this truck isn't really worth much now being 14 years old or so... I cut into my STi the first year I owned it after paying 30k and that was much harder to swallow than this... but regardless both are awesome and turned out great so far.

People made it out to seem worse with the center support beam and anyone that things that is going to stop the roof from caving in is a dummy... after cutting it out I could bend it in half.. there is no structural support to the center beam at all...lol

-Nigel

 

man that looks awesome. I kinda want to do it! I'll be looking for the write up in the future once you post it, I may give it a shot in the spring.

 

Damn that looks good. I can't wait for the write up. I'll definitely add it to my to-Do list.

 

More pictures... finally got the interior done.. .couldn't be better!

-Nigel

 

Looks great! nice work.

 

that looks really good. it makes me want to do this.

 

I saw a guy with a regular cab Toyota today with a moonroof and i REALLY want one now. Now seeing these updated pics I REALLY NEED one, Lol. I'll bookmark the one you used. Did you run into any issues? Also, did it come with that trim ring (at least that's what i see) for the interior to hide the cut in the headliner.

Your infecting a lot of Ranger owners now with this idea. Keep up the good work!

 

Honestly this was probably one of the easier mods I've done to the ranger. It isn't nearly as hard as what I thought it was going to be. I would say the longest time was taking all the stuff OUT of the truck. IE: Headliner, push pins, carpet... I did some sound deadening materials to make the interior more quiet and it really did make a night and day difference in ambient noises and sound noise, which I am really surprised how well it sounds now. And heat in the cabin is no longer an issue, it would get toasty, now it doesn't. But cutting the hole in the roof took about 2 minutes with my electric sheers. Took about 5 minutes to cut out the center bracket in the center of the roof out, it has a small layer of sticky foam which was used to keep the roof sheet metal from flapping in the wind, other than that it offers no roof support via a roll over.

I thought doing the headliner would be harder than what it was. The sunroof kit does come with a universal trim ring and you can either mount it directly on the headliner, or do a wrap, where the headliner comes up and covers it. I choose to wrap it, and it wasn't hard at all.

Somehow I ended up with a 2nd sunroof because of my stupid mistake..lol It's not worth returning so IF anyone actually wants to do the mod I'd let it go for cheap, it's the 14x32" Newport, exactly what I used in the pictures, I just ended up ordering two from two different places because one said out of stock/backordered, when really they weren't...arg!

I'll have to write a how to this weekend and post it.

-Nigel

 

Really can't wait to check out the How-To. I looked up the Newport, looks like I'd want one as well...lol. If you where nearby id buy it off you and your services. Looks very good in the truck!

I will be looking into sound proofing/insulating my truck, stupid rattling in the truck drives me nuts. Plus if you said it keeps it cooler on the inside I'm very interested in that.

 

 

I bought this one:
NP1732B5H - CRL-SFC 17" x 32" NewPort Sunroof with Universal Trim Ring - Solar High Performance Glass

It was the universal trim ring. After much research the molded one would have been more difficult to look good. The universal makes installation easy and you tuck the headliner fabric and it looks factory.

Zero issues with the sun roof. I love it. I had a slight leak when first installed but I didn't have the seal all the way seated so that was my fault. Other than that, still going strong. It does make it a little bit of a pain if I need to remove the headliner because I have to remove the rubber trim piece that tucks the headliner fabric, but other than that it's fine. I use it everyday it's nice. I want to actually remove the glass one day and drive to see if I get any wind buffeting noise, but it's super easy and takes 15 seconds to remove the glass or put it back in.

Definitely a nice mod! Very underrated.

-Nigel