This started on my 'Hello' thread so I am moving it over here....


Adding in the next 4 weeks
-Sunroof


WELCOME aboard mate!
But you say you purchased a Limited so I have to ask: Don't all Limited Edition models come with the moonroof / sunroof as a standard feature?

No. $800 USD option. Although it is included on so many Limited's it seems standard.

I wanted a Black Limited the dealer had on the lot, but with a Sunroof. And since the dealers want to get rid of lot inventory they added the sunroof in for free if I took that one.
However, there was a small catch. The dealer uses a local car fabrication company to do aftermarket sunroof installs and the closest appt. was a month away.
Before I made the decision I went to visit the installer to check out the shop. They are the real deal, doing high end, high tech mods and installs on everything that rolls. My Patriot sunroof install will be the 'low end' of the cars and jobs they are doing.

I am very interested to see how your sunroof install goes. I purchased a 4x2 Sport and really wanted the sunroof, but wasn't willing to wait to order a vehicle since the one I purchased had everything else I wanted.

I'm thinking about an aftermarket sunroof but heard that the "lines" running down the length of the Pat's roof might be an issue. Apparently the lines on vehicles that have the factory sunroof don't run as far forward as those without the sunroof.

So please... post here (or PM me) details... if you can: brand and kind of sunroof installed, etc.

Thanks and welcome!!!

Edited to add: Ah, I see yours IS the limited, so your roof already lacks the far-reaching "lines" that mine has.

Well... ummm... NOW that you mention it....

It appears as if you get the Limited without the sunroof, you get the sport body.
My 'lines' run almost all the way down to the windshield.

I had never even thought about it. And I bet the dealer didn't either since it was the first Pat they were sending out for a sunroof, nor did the installer because he was just told a 'Patriot Limited'.

I am going to drive to the installer shop tomorrow and show it to them. See what they think. If they can't do it I guess I then have to haggle with the dealer, because that sunroof was worth $800 in bargain talk pricing when I purchased.

...parade commencing... slight chance of showers.... ;)

I took the Pat to the installer today and they said 'Not a problem'.

The mounting kit takes the ridges into account and builds the bezel to fit.

They said they have done tons of Libertys and they have the ridges.

So my appointment is still set up for the 26th.

I will post some pics and let you know how it looks.

VERY excited!

Cheers,
Jim

Dude! That's great! But bad for me since I had pretty much convinced myself that because of the ridges, I didn't need a sunroof. Now I have to think about if I want to spend $1000 on a power sunroof. ;)

Yes, please let me know how it goes!

Well the Pat goes under the knife today.

And have to tell you , no matter how high tech and happening the installers shop looks, I am a bit nervous.

I mean they are going to be cutting a huge hole in the top of my new Jeep, and they have said that although they have done a bunch of the Jeep line, this willl be their first Patriot... :eek:

I am also going to talk to them about running a power line from the front reading light to where I would like to install one above the rear seats while they have the top gutted open. I have the extra light and made the template to cut the hole, just need some power back there.

Anyway.. will keep posted on results and the kit they used etc....

Cheers,
Jim

Pay extra attention to the sealants they use around the sunroof. I've had a few installed in my previous vehicles and one shop made a mess with the sealant and it was a hell of a project to clean up! Also, double check your headliner for stains and fingerprints... that white headliner looks like a mess waiting to happen!

Good luck!

Please post pictures of the top when you get the Patriot back! I wanna see

Some dealerships use Brake Cleaner to clean white interior that gets stains or grease.

I guess it works well, but not sure what the long term affects are!

Just dropped it off. They will have it till at least Friday afternoon, 'possibly' go over until Saturday morning.

The girl at the counter said 'Honestly, some people have called us slow... but no one has ever called us bad."

They showed me some finished products they had waiting for pick up. Nice stuff.
But I will check out all seals and sealants.

They are going to install the reading light over the rear seat for me also.

Will post pics and give update on the install.

Cheers,
Jim

Ohh... and they are using this brand moonroof....
http://www.inalfasunroofs.com/
The asi 925

Some dealerships use Brake Cleaner to clean white interior that gets stains or grease.

I guess it works well, but not sure what the long term affects are!

wow.. weird idea.... Thanks for the tip tho.

I bought some of the 'Total Care' cleaner stuff from Mopar parts. It works really well on the headliner.

I've gotten my fair share of finger prints on it fiddling with the reading light and also when I fingernailed off those HORRIBLE yellow warning stickers stuck to the bottom of the visors.

the guys at the sunroof shop seem like pros, so I'll have to see....

Cheers,

Jim

Jim post some pics! We wanna see your sunroof!

Jim post some pics! We wanna see your sunroof!

Hi Bob,

The shop is going to have it till Monday afternoon now.

Ronnie, the installer, said since it is their fist Patriot, he was quadruple checking everything before he made each step.
His exact words were, "I'm really taking my time, going slow and getting it right."

Also putting in the rear reading light for me is adding a little time.

They offered me their delivery pick up as a loaner for the weekend.
I thought that was nice of them.

So.... hopefully Monday afternoon----->pics.

Cheers,
Jim

"I'm really taking my time, going slow and getting it right." is codespeak for:
"We really messed up and it is going to take some time to fix it."






j/k

As long as it's done right at the end. I am non the wiser....

;)

Now, now, TCPERCONTI, must think positive here. The girl said" some people have called us slow... but no one has ever called us bad." She sounds pretty sharp to me. I'd rather they did take their time with this job and get it right. This is coming from a guy who had two 90 Subaru Lagacys, both of them had sun roofs and both had problems. The best one was the wagon which my wife drove, the drains plugged up and water built up in the roof. One day she stopped short at a light and she and her girlfriend got treated to an unexpected shower actually a small tidal wave! I wish I had my camera ready when she got home! The other car's, a Subaru Legacy four door, sunroof didn't leak, but the motor died when it was ten years old. At least it was in the closed position and Subaru said to just leave it alone as the job would probably cost more than the car was worth!

So, take your time guys and just get it right.

Jimmy, when you get your car back, please show us the pictures and let us know how you like the job, good luck!:smiley_thumbs_up:

Well if they screwed up I sure can't tell. :)
:banana:

It looks really beautiful!
It is the Inalfa ASI Series 840 (http://www.inalfasunroofs.com/)19"x33" (I was wrong in mentioning the 925 before)
I can't tell for sure, but it seems bigger than the stock Sunroof.

They installed an entire new headliner which is as clean as a whistle AND installed the extra reading light for me for free!!!
Also the glue in the headliner refreshed that 'new car smell' since that smell
is made up of mostly carpet glue.

Hooray!!!!

Now tomorrow I install the Nav unit and iPod integration, Thursday knee surgery and then I will get to enjoy the new Jeep from the window until I'm healed (and undrugged) enough to drive again. :(

REALLY excited !!
:pepper:

Cheers to sunburnt noses
Jim
534

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(Pics continued in next post)

Hooray one more time!!

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542

very fine work...

assuming it holds up after a few rain storms, it sounds like you made out pretty well.

There is a big one pounding outside right now.
So I parked on a slight hill so all the rain water that hits the roof is rolling straight down and puddling up behind the sunroof.. Oops learned today it is a moonroof.

If it doesn't leak now, I think I may be alright.


Cheers,
Jim

Very nice indeed! Thanks for the pictures and enjoy the moon lit drives on those quiet two lane blacktops.

Very nice! Looks pretty sharp! I'd watch the glue/sealant under the trim piece. From the looks of how it wraps over the lines on the roof... if it were to leak, it would be there, when the sealant gets old/dried, etc.

Looks great though! :D

verdict? did you have moldy headliner or wet seat this morning? :p

Hey Guys,

So far so good. All dry and happy.

The shop has a 5 year warranty and they suggested I stop by anywhere from 1-3 times a year and let them look everything over. If there is any sign of drying or the sunroof has shifted or settled , they fix it up for free.

I am now dismantling the dash to put in Nav unit and I see where they ran the drain tubes for the channels down the B pillars and into the wheel well area (I think, I havent investigatd that far).
Even the part hidden by the pillars is neatly tie wrapped and secured.

I will keep an eye on everything tho....

Thanks
See Ya
Jim

ps.. I am 'almost' as excited about the additional reading light as I am the sunroof... Man is it nice and bright in there now.
I could perform surgery if need be..... :)

Thank you for your detailed description of adding a moonroof. I am thinking about adding one, but was unsure of the results. It looks great!!!

Im so jealous. The lighting in the patriot is poor if its dark out and you are trying to find something in the back seat. Hopefully one day when I have a real good paying job I can make these mods as well. Where is this shop located that you had perform the work? It would be nice if I found a shop in this area with no experience with patriots to reference them. (Since i bought my patriot I have seen maybe 4 others driving in this area)

thats hot!

what the difference bewtween moonroofs and sun roofs?

Hey Jimmy,

It's been roughly six months since the moonroof installation. Would you provide us an update? Has there been any leakage? Any discoloration of the glass, trim or sealent? Any problems with the internal mechanical parts?

Im so jealous. The lighting in the patriot is poor if its dark out and you are trying to find something in the back seat.

This is why I always carry my www.surefire.com flashlight in my Jeep at all times. It really comes in handy when the stock lights inside the Pat are not enough.:pepper:

incredible looks MINT, i want one now:P

what was the total dollar figure?

oh crap! sweet!

Did we ever get a final dollar amount on this install?

Al.