DO-IT-YOURSELF SLIDING RAGTOP INSTRUCTIONS

Our sliding ragtop sunroofs are custom made to fit virtually any sized vehicle. Generally, installation takes a day if you take your time.  Read the instructions first before making any cuts in your roof and Do Not cut the hole in your roof until you have your ragtop kit in hand.  The following instructions are universal and can be used with any size rag top that is manufactured by Sunroof Source. If you have any problems during your installation, please call and ask to speak to one of our technicians.  When you receive your new folding canvas sunroof kit,  remove all packaging staples from the box with a flat tipped screwdriver before sliding your new top out of shipping box.

The following items will be shipped with your top:

PACKING LIST

I. Top Cover (canvas or Vinyl), Frame Assembly powder coated black with aluminum rails

attached, Header Bow Assembly with latch installed, Slider Bow Assemblies attached to top

cover and frame assembly; Headliner (Optional)

2. Tube of silicone sealant

3. Ribbed rubber front seal

4. Pinch molding (vinyl u-shaped molding)

5. Installation hardware bag (clinch, studs, washers & nuts)

6. Instruction manual

TOOLS & MATERIALS LIST FOR INSTALLATION

-Magic Marker

-Masking Tape

-Razor Blades

-Contact Cement

-Towels/Rags for clean up

-Paper or Cardboard for Template (you can use the box cardboard)

-Drill and assorted bits

-Saw with fine tooth metal blade or other metal cutting tool

-Gloves

-Fine Flat File

-Flat Tip Screwdriver

-Pliers

-Phillips head screw driver

-Nut driver or socket set, tape

-Measure

PREP YOUR TOP FOR INSTALLING

Your top will be shipped to you fully assembled. After removing your top from the shipping box, you will need to dis-assemble the top and aluminum rails from the frame assembly (see Cross Section View of Rag Top). First place top upside down, release the latch assembly and open top a few inches (see Photo # 1). Then go to rear of top, if you have a headliner, remove the screws holding in the headliner aluminum strip. Then remove the nuts attached to the rear cap plate on top (Photo # 2).

Next, you will need to remove the clinch studs holding the aluminum rails in place. Look along both sides of frame and remove nuts (see Photo # 3). At this point you should be able to remove the frame assembly from the top. Set the top off the side, you are now ready to make the template and mark your hole to cut in your roof.

MARKING THE HOLE

The first step is to make a cardboard or paper template for the hole size you will be cutting into your roof. Measure the width and length of the frame assembly (Frame Assembly Photo). Subtract 2 (two) inches from the width and length, for example: if you ordered a 35 x 40 inch Rag Top. the frame assembly will be 33 inches wide by 39 inches long, the final size of the finished template will be 31 inches wide by 37 inches long (see Rag Top Template). Make sure your template is square (or a true rectangle) by measuring diagonally across in both directions. If the two diagonal measurements are the same, your template is square, (a ¼ inch will make a difference) if the two diagonal measurements are different then the template is not square and will need to be redone.

INSTALLER TIP:

All frames have a curve to match the curve of your roof When we make the curve it may cause a 1/4 to 1/2 inch inward bow in the middle of width. Make sure you adjust your template to meet the width and length measurements and also measure the center point and make the template to match the frame.

Next, take the finished template and hold it up inside your vehicle.  Check to see how your sliding ragtop will fit if you have a rear view mirror, sun visors, roof supports, etc. and general appearance. Then take the template and place it on the roof of your vehicle.  Place the folding sunroof template on your roof where it looks the best but where it will not interfere with anything. Take your time and measure carefully, this is the most important step. When you are satisfied with the placement of your sliding ragtop, secure the template to the roof with masking tape. Re-measure, look at it again and measure again. 

THIS STEP IS PRACTICALLY IRREVERSIBLE: YOU ARE ABOUT TO CUT A HOLE IN YOUR ROOF!

When you are satisfied with the placement for your new folding ragtop sunroof, trace around the template to mark your cut line. After tracing the canvas sunroof cut line, remove the template. To protect the painted surface around the cut line, place two or three layers of masking tape around the outside edge of the cut line mark. Before making any cuts, remove your interior headliner and protect your interior from metal shavings.

REMOVING YOUR INTERIOR HEADLINER

Now that your roof is marked and ready to cut, you will need to prepare your existing interior headliner. There are two ways to treat the existing headliner. With most vehicles it is easiest to remove the headliner before cutting the hole. To remove the headliner, remove the fasteners all the way around and any screws that may be holding in your visors, mirrors and other interior objects that may be attached to your headliner. After removing, set the headliner out of your way. After installing your new canvas sunroof, you will reinstall your headliner and cut out the hole for your new ragtop and use the pinch molding to give it a finished look.

With certain vehicles, especially older style vinyl headliners, you may choose to leave it in during your installation. In this case you must choose a cutting tool that will not ruin the headliner. Nibblers or power shears work well. Using your template you can rough cut the headliner vinyl to gain working access for cutting and installing your top. Start in the center point where your hole will be cut and rough trim the headliner leaving A minimum of 3” inches to the inside of the hole all the way around. DO NOT OVER TRIM. You are only cutting at this point to provide a space between your roof and headliner.  You will need to do additional finish trimming after your top is in.   

INSTALLER TIP:

Using a die grinder to cut the hole can cause your stock headliner to melt or ignite.  Be careful if you leave your headliner in while cutting the hole in your roof.  When drilling through the roof sheet metal, use a stubby drill bit or a drill bit stop; this will stop you from drilling through your headliner when you drill the pilot holes to cut your roof. You should also cover all your seats and dash to keep metal shavings from getting on your interior.

CUTTING THE HOLE

Using a stubby drill bit or a drill bit stop, drill a pilot hole at each corner of your roof large enough to fit the cutting tool. Using your cut tool, cut along the CUT LINE and remove sheet metal. It is helpful to have an assistant to help support the roof during cutting from inside your ride. After removing the sheet metal, use a flat file to remove any sharp metal edges. Check to see if the frame fits in the hole. If there is any binding, do not force the frame.  Doing so will cause the roof sheet metal to ripple or bend. Instead, use your flat file or snips to trim away enough metal to eliminate any binding.

INSTALLING THE FRAME ASSEMBLY

The front of the frame has a slot for the latch hook.  Be sure to install the frame assembly with the slot to the front (windshield). Place the frame on your roof exactly were you want it (see Cross Section View of Rag Top). It is very useful to clamp the frame down to the roof at this time. Look for the pre-drilled holes on the frame. Using a 3/16” (inch) bit, drill through each hole, down through the roof sheet metal. Using a 5/16” (inch) drill bit, enlarge each of the holes you just drilled in the roof sheet metal. This will make the final frame installation easier and will prevent binding that may bend the roof metal. Remove the frame. You will need to drill two more holes in your roof, but you will do that when you during a later step. Clean off your roof and make sure there are no metal shavings, fingerprints, etc.

INSTALLER TIP:

On many newer vehicles, the roof is curved from the front to the back but the sides of the frame assembly are not curved.  It is however, relatively simple to customize your new sliding ragtop frame for a custom fit.  To make the frame match the curve of your roof you will need to make relief cuts every two inches along each side of the frame assembly to bend/mold the frame to match the roof curve. Be careful not to cut too far through the frame; relief cuts need only go through bottom flange of the frame and up to the bottom of the ledge where the aluminum track is attached. These cuts will not show on the finished installation; they will be covered with the pinch molding and/or headliner.

Next, using the silicone sealant, run a 1/4 inch bead around the edge of the roof hole where the frame will lay on the roof sheet metal and around the holes you just drilled. This will provide a water tight seal. Be sure to protect the interior from any excess silicone that might bleed over during frame installation. 

SILICONE WILL NOT CLEAN OFF OF THE INTERIOR.  Place frame on your roof and press down to smooth out the silicone. Use the clinch studs, fender washers and self-locking nuts to tighten your sunroof frame to roof. It is best if you tighten each nut by hand all the way around, then go back and tighten with wrench but do not over tighten. Clean up any excess silicone on the roof with a paper towel.

INSTALLER TIP.

To further insure that no water can seep underneath your folding sunroof frame, you can add more silicone around the frame on the inside of the vehicle. Be careful not to get any silicone on the interior surfaces (seats, etc.).

INSTALLING THE TOP

You are now ready to install the top on to the frame assembly. It is best if you have a friend help to lift the top with rails onto your roof. The rear plate and adjusting cable has clinch studs already in place. Place the top onto the frame assembly with rails. From inside your vehicle, put in clinch studs and tighten down top rails to the frame assembly. If you have a rag top headliner, you will need to re-install the headliner aluminum plate under headliner now. 

Next, locate the cable adjusting bolts near the rear corners of your folding sunroof assembly. Lay rear plate on top and mark where adjusting cable bolts touch roof. Drill a 3/8-inch hole through both locations so that each adjusting cable bolt and nut will fit in hole and the top frame will lay flat on roof. DO NOT TRY TO PUSH TOP DOWN FLAT WITHOUT DRILLING HOLES FOR ADJUSTING CABLE BOLT AND NUT. After, you are sure you have the top where you want it, silicone around the two adjusting cable bolts and nuts. Then tighten down all frame and top clinch studs and nuts. Now close and open the top to make sure it is sliding smoothly. Next, apply the adhesive ribbed rubber seal to the front vertical face of the header bow just under the front top cap and above the latch assembly. This will provide an airtight fit when you have the top closed and latched. Next, clean up and prepare to put your interior headliner back.

RE-INSTALL INTERIOR HEADLINER

Put your interior headliner back in place and reinstall all retaining trim pieces.  After your headliner (hard-backed headliner panel) is in place, mark a line around the headliner panel around the inside edge of the folding sunroof frame.  Trim your headliner material around and install pinch molding around frame to secure the interior headliner to the frame. Trim off any excess material after the pinch molding is in place.