Sunroof - Sunroof or Sunroof - Slicktop?

[stegosaurus]

So as background my car was a slicktop, and some genius in CA decided to have an aftermarket sunroof put in. I bought the car before I knew what was factory and what wasn't and the PO was nice enough to tell me that it was a "glass moonroof, dealer option" thing, insisting that it was just as good. It doesn't leak, but I've come to realize it for what it is and despise it. It looks odd, doesn't sit flush, and is strangely shaped. I want it gone.

So my options; get rid of it and revert to slicktop, or cut it out and have a factory sunroof installed. I don't plan on racing this car or anything, and like the idea of keeping a sunroof, I also think this might be the most $$$-friendly solution compared to putting a new roof on.

Has anyone done this, considered this, or know anything about the process? Can I simply but in a new section to patch the roof, or would I have to completely replace it (for the slicktop route)? I also don't know if the factory sunroof is bigger or smaller than what I have now, if it's smaller than the hole it won't be an option.

Please, help me fix this headache!

[erik325i]

Weld it shut and go back to no sunroof.

Erik

[stegosaurus]

Weld it shut and go back to no sunroof.

Erik

Is it that simple, or do I have to replace the whole roof? I'm under the impression that the roof might warp with welding or rivets.

[e30vert]

An experienced welder can mitigate the heat generated by the welder by essentially spot welding small tack welds right next to each other to join the new piece of metal being used to fill in the area where the sunroof was. The technique would also include using an air compressor with a nozzle to cool the area being welded. Welding a bead then there is a much greater chance of the warpage you speak of.

[stegosaurus]

An experienced welder can mitigate the heat generated by the welder by essentially spot welding small tack welds right next to each other to join the new piece of metal being used to fill in the area where the sunroof was. The technique would also include using an air compressor with a nozzle to cool the area being welded. Welding a bead then there is a much greater chance of the warpage you speak of.

That makes more sense, I'd rather go for that than install a new sunroof. Thanks.