Best way to cut off roof with sunroof?

[Eric_in_Alaska]

I'm dismantling my long-retired '72 2002 with sunroof. The lower part of the body is rusted beyond help, so I'm saving everything useful. I thought after the glass is out, I could cut the entire roof off at the pillars, and offer it for anyone's rebuild project to convert to a sunroof. Where is the best point to make the cuts, medium high on the pillars, or as low as possible?

Eric Stice

[NickVyse]

low as possible.

[Eric_in_Alaska]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, to save the most material on the pillars. That way one would have plenty of room to make the right final cuts for swapping this onto a non-sunroof car for a conversion rebuild.

I'll do it that way and post it for sale real cheap --- buyer pays shipping. I could make a wooden crate for it.

Eric

[oz_tom]

http://s94994139.onlinehome.us/gallery/BMW-2002-sunroof-transplant

Hope this may help in some way

Tom

[Eric_in_Alaska]

Thanks, Oz --- but the link only shows 6 pics of work in progress with the roof skin off the car. Pillars are not cut, but it looks like just the donor roof skin with sunroof framing is then welded onto the receiver car on top of its original pillars and roof perimeter?

Has anyone on the Forum done this job? Perhaps I should save my '72 roof to put on the free '69 '02 a guy in Anchorage gave me, which I stripped to examine body condition before a decision about restoration.

Eric

[oz_tom]

Eric,

There is actually an Album in there containing a few in progress shots. See this link for the album: http://s94994139.onlinehome.us/gallery/BMW-2002-sunroof-conversion

From memory i think it is the Mcginn Brothers (?) who are on this board that did that conversion. Here is the link to their website where you can find their email if you have any questions in the procedure.

http://www.sports-car-restoration.com/

Personally, I wouldnt cut off at the pillars - Id prefer to keep the structural rigitity. The above option is the only way I would do it (of course this is just my opinion)

Tom

[Eric_in_Alaska]

Thanks, I'll check those links.

I'm only cutting to take OFF the whole roof for saving it, from my '72 that is rusted on the bottom beyond help. I figure I'll cut with pillars,

then they can be cut shorter as needed, or the salvaged roof can be skinned to use on a receiving car. I do like the looks of the method that leaves the pillars on the receiving car uncut, and that way the roof frame stays aligned and structurally original.

Eric

[NickVyse]

Thanks, I'll check those links.

I'm only cutting to take OFF the whole roof for saving it, from my '72 that is rusted on the bottom beyond help. I figure I'll cut with pillars,

then they can be cut shorter as needed, or the salvaged roof can be skinned to use on a receiving car. I do like the looks of the method that leaves the pillars on the receiving car uncut, and that way the roof frame stays aligned and structurally original.

Eric

Looks like the best of doing it to me too, although Jaymic in the UK used to swear by cutting the pillars low, but seems to me like you make a whole set of new headaches to contend with. Still, leave the pillars on and the buyer has all options still open.