how do i get the roof panel off?

[Guest teigan]

i'd like to remove the roof of my '84. where do i start, and how long will it take? thanks for any direction. satanic offers welcomed.

Edited September 3, 2005 by teigan

[Splashout]

dead easy on the latches at the back that you lift up to open the roof you should have 2 lugs that push across(one on each) if you havent moved them for a while they may need some help by tapping the end with a screwdriver once these are out then the roof will pivot freely upwards untill you can remove the glass

[Guest teigan]

oops. i should have stated i don't have the glass roof. anybody taken out the standard roof? t

[TSD]

I have an '86 which has a removable roof panel which comes out the same way as described above. I think it was a USA only option, possibly 86/87 model year only but not sure. If you don't have a removable roof panel, I think you are stuck - the composite roof panels aren't available anymore and the car itself would need to be modified to hold the panel.

[Guest teigan]

i'm removing it presently to hopefully get at the tailgate bolts, but would also like to remove it to make a mold from. i want a new roof that accepts interchangable roof rack and roofbox. thanks for your replies.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

If you EVER succeded in mounting a roof-box on your EEsprit we would be FORCED by international convention to send a team around to confiscate your car for the greater good!

The same goes for fitting a Caravan tow-point

[Guest teigan]

book your tickets on the qe2 then because i've got plans to replicate the back end of my esprit and tow it behind me as a backup boot. the roofbox will be tasteful and possibly styled by giugiaro if the hypnosis works. so tell me how to get the darn roof out already.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Not now, no!!

[USAndretti42]

Call your local Fire Department and ask them to bring the jaws of life. Usually works.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Yep 'fraid that's the only way your roof is coming off Teigan!

It's part of the whole bodyshell. People would often cut the roof form a crashed sunroof car and graft it into a solid roofed car. They had done that on the bodyshell I bought last year - half way up the A-Pillar they did it.

[Guest teigan]

thanks robin. i couldn't tell it was one piece for all the glue everywhere. i guess i'll have to think carefully of an appropriate cut line. until then, maybe i'll brace the middle with alluminum and have a double polycarbonate sunroof, that stores neatly up front.