Has anyone installed a sunroof? Is it possible? Is it desirable? I'd like to get a breeze going when I drive, but don't want to be inefficient.
I heard that the only reason that toyota did not do this, was because it would be impossible with the concave shape of the roof on the prius and it's aerodynamic importance. It would be nice to have one, but if Toyota did not implement this into the prius, there is a pretty good chance that it might be too hard for "us" to do.
My dealer told me they out source the sunroof jobs to a local shop. He said it looks and feels like a factory sunroof. He thought Toyota did not offer sunroofs as an option because they were trying to make the car as light as possible and for aerodynamics.
I was told by a very reputable after market installation outfit that the shape of the roof made installing a sunroof impossible.
No, I think Ptpiz is right. It's concave. Go out an look at the top of your Prius. It's got a depression in the center. That's concave. BTW, a good way to remember the difference: Concave, as in "caved in."
There are two depressions in the roof, approx 1/3 the distance from each edge. From these two depressions, the shape is indeed convex. It's dealing with the concave valleys, however, that makes sunroof installation difficult, if not impossible. We might be able to get something like the Maxima's long light roof, but nothing that would easily open. One possibility though could be a non-glass type moonroof made from the roof panel itself.
OK, OK. You're right. How about this: It has three convex facets combined into an overall concave shape? Sheesh! Too many engineers in this forum :wink:
Sure. Cut carefully, use the removed piece as the mold for a plexiglass replacement but cut the final molded piece in enough to add a frame with a latch, then put it back in. Tuck all the roofing material up under the frame's inside gasket, and one should be able to pop it up to let air in. I doubt the gas mileage from the drag would be anything to write home about, but when closed the molded piece should be close to the original drag factor. Keeping the outside gasket material to a minimum while maintaining a water-tight seal will be a trick. Also proving that at 100MPH the whole thing doesn't rip right off would be nice...
And providing that you don't compromise the structural integrity and rigidty of the Unibody, resulting in a wobbly frame while driving, and possibly your windshield developing leaks or popping out from twisting of it's frame over time. Or worse, compromise the integrity of the passenger cage in a rollover or high side impact, resulting in death. I think I'll just live with mine the way it is. I'm plenty happy
If someone succeeds in putting a sunroof in then I will be very surprised Just think.... they will have to upgrade their side curtain airbags to now include roof curtains also!! Perhaps instead of curtains, they will be roof "comforter airbags" Chris
I'm not planning on a mod like this, but it sounds interesting. Does anyone know if the aftermarket sunroof people go into detail with their customers about the downsides mentioned here? It would be odd to find out a decently built frame for a Prius sunroof would ALWAYS be inferior to the original roof, yet other cars get by somehow...
i'm glad i don't even like sunroofs. so i can't be disappointed with the prius. i have had one in my last 3 cars. and the one time i opened it, it was to get better reception on my old cel phone. unfortunately that time, i forgot it had snowed the night before, so what i ended up with was a lap full of wet snow!
I know the roof plays an important role in distributing impact energy in the case of a side impact. I'd be hesitant to install a sunroof which could compromise that inegrity.
