How to Install a Sun Roof in Vehicles

by Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017

Adding a sunroof to a Vehicles is easier than many Vehicles in fact the most difficult part is making that first cut. Installing a sunroof in the Vehicles requires special tools, the ability to make precision cuts and one day of time.

Under The Hood:

 How to Install a Sun Roof in a Honda Accord

Prepare the work area by laying out all of the tools and sunroof parts. Take out the front seats of the Accord by removing the four bolts holding the seat rail in place. Lay a sheet or tarp over the interior to protect the dash and rear seats.

Hold the shade tray up on the interior of the roof and push a screwdriver through the headliner at each corner. Use enough pressure to dent the roof slightly. Remove the headliner and any support panels.

Tape the sunroof template to the rooftop using the dents as a guide. Drill a starter hole through one of the dents and cut out the roof on the Accord following the template exactly. Use a file to smooth the edges of the opening and test the fit of the sunroof frame.

Make any adjustments now and coat the bare metal with metal primer to inhibit rusting. Clean the bottom of the sunroof and run a bead of sealant around the lip.

Set the sunroof frame in place and connect the clamping ring and screws carefully. Clean of any excess sealant and assemble the remainder of the sunroof per the manual's instructions.

Replace the headliner and panels, using a razor knife to make alterations. Clean the new glass panel.

Items you will need

  • Sunroof kit

  • Screwdrivers

  • Drill and bits

  • Sheet metal shears

  • File

  • Metal primer

  • Sealant

  • Razor knife

 How to Install a Sun Roof in a Chevy Silverado

Gather all of the tools and verify the sunroof came with all the parts. Put the seats all the way back and cover the interior with a sheet or tarp to protect the seats and dash.

Hold the shade tray on the interior of the Silverado's roof and ensure there is at least 4 inches of clear space on each side. Push a screwdriver through the headliner at each corner and dent the roof slightly. Remove the headliner and any support panels.

Tape the template to the rooftop making sure to line it up with the dents in the roof. Drill a starter hole through one of the dents and cut the roof with metal shears along the lines of the template.

File the edges of the opening until smooth and test fit the sunroof frame. Make any necessary adjustments and coat the bare edges with metal primer to inhibit rusting.

Clean the bottom of the sunroof and run a bead of sealant around the lip. Place the sunroof frame into the opening in the roof. Connect the clamping ring and screws, taking care not to overtighten.

Wipe off any excess sealant and assemble the remainder of the sunroof. Replace the headliner, making alterations with a razor knife and clean the new glass panel in the Chevy Silverado.

Items you will need

  • Sunroof kit

  • Screwdrivers

  • Drill and bits

  • Sheet metal shears

  • Metal primer

  • Sealant

  • Razor knife

 How to Install a Sun Roof in a Dodge Ram

Verify all of the parts came in the sunroof kit and lay out all of the tools in the work area. Lay the seats all the way back and cover the interior of the Ram with a sheet or tarp.

Hold the shade tray to the top of the roof's interior and push a screwdriver through the headliner at each corner. Use enough pressure to dimple the roof slightly. Remove the headliner and support boards.

Tape the template onto the Ram's roof using the dimples as a guide. Drill a hole through one of the dimples to help get the metal shears started. Cut out the roof by following the template making sure to be precise.

Smooth the metal edges with a file and set the sunroof in place to test for fit. Make any adjustments needed and cover the bare metal edge with metal primer to resist rust. Clean the bottom of the sunroof and run a bead of sealant around the lip of the sunroof.

Drop the sunroof frame into the opening and connect the clamping ring and screws taking care not to strip any. Assemble the rest of the roof and replace the headliner. Use a razor knife to make any adjustment and clean the new glass.

Items you will need

  • Sunroof kit

  • Tarp

  • Screwdrivers

  • Drill and bits

  • Sheet metal shears

  • File

  • Metal primer

  • Sealant

  • Razor knife

 How to Install a Sun Roof in a Nissan Altima

Prepare the work area by laying out all of the tools and sunroof parts, ensure all of the required parts came in the kit. Push the seats all of the way back and cover the interior with a sheet or tarp.

Hold the shade tray on the roof interior and verify there is at least four inches of clearance on each side. Remove the dome light if necessary and pull the headliner out carefully. Make sure the dome light wires are out of the way.

Put the shade tray back on the roof and use a screwdriver to make a small dimple in the roof at each corner. Tape the template onto the rooftop using the dimples as a guide. Drill a starter hole through one of the dimples and cut out the roof with metal shears.

Smooth the edges with a file and test fit the sunroof frame. Make adjustments if needed and coat the bare edges with primer to inhibit rust.

Wipe off the bottom of the sunroof and run a bead of sealant around the lip. Set the sunroof frame in place and connect the clamping ring and screws taking care not to strip or over tighten them.

Clean up any excess sealant with a rag and assemble the rest of the sunroof by following the instruction in the manual. Relocate the dome light or terminate the wires with wire nuts. Replace the headliner, using a razor knife to make any alterations.

Items you will need

  • Sunroof kit

  • Sheet or tarp

  • Screwdrivers

  • Drill and bits

  • Sheet metal shears

  • Metal file

  • Metal primer

  • Sealant

  • Razor knife

  • Wire nuts

 How to Install a Sun Roof in a Jeep Grand Cherokee

Set out all of the tools and sunroof parts for easy access. Remove the front seats by unscrewing the four bolts along the seat rail and unplugging the power seat wires if necessary. Place a sheet or tarp over the interior of the Grand Cherokee to protect the dash and rear seats.

Hold the shade tray up on the interior of the roof and ensure there is at least 4 inches of clear space all the way around. Push a screwdriver through the headliner, making a small dimple in the metal at each corner. Remove the headliner and any support boards.

Tape the template onto the rooftop using the dimples as a guide. Drill a starter hole through on of the dimples and cut out the roof with metal shears following the template exactly.

Smooth the edges of the opening with a file and test fit the sunroof frame. Make any needed adjustments and coat the bare metal with primer to resist rusting.

Clean the bottom of the sunroof and run a bead of sealant around the lip. Set the sunroof frame in place on the Grand Cherokee and connect the clamping ring and screws carefully.

Wipe off any excess sealant that squeezed out and assemble the rest of the sunroof per the sunroof manual. Replace the headliner using a razor knife to make alterations.

Items you will need

  • Sunroof kit

  • Screwdrivers

  • Drill and bits

  • Sheet metal shears

  • Metal File

  • Metal primer

  • Sealant

  • Razor knife

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