Making a Sunroof Delete Panel for Under $30 - Lexus SC400 Budget Drift Build. Ep.52

Want to lose weight from your car? Or just make it so your helmet doesn't hit the roof itself? Why not remove the sunroof and replace it with an aluminum panel? Great weight reduction for your race or drift car and costs only around $30.
The aluminum sheet cost $17 (and I only used about 60% of it), and the rivet tool with rivets was around $11.
Parts and Tools used:
I used a Harbor Freight Rivet tool, but this one is comparable from Amazon and comes with rivets: amzn.to/2DJjowp
1/8" Rivets 100 pack: amzn.to/2GbO5vS
3M Black Weatherstripping Sealant: amzn.to/2Wq6pqN
4.5" Flap disc 10 pack: amzn.to/2DIr9mn
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[@FullySpooled]

We're getting really close to the first drift day on Feb. 16th. I'm hoping to get the car out to a test and tune day before then, so I'm cutting things super tight. The sunroof delete seems like a less important item on the list, except that my head was hitting the roof with a helmet on. Next episode will be gauges installed, followed by welding the diff. Stay tuned!

[@joecordaway3783]

Nice job and gave me an idea on repairing my sunroof opening on my '86 4runner. Old popup blew off recently. Been searching the junkyards throughout the country online for a salvage unit but at $650 and up for a few found ain't happening.

[@066motocross]

Very informative video. I have an 83 Chevy k10 pickup that has a sunroof probably installed in the 80s. Obviously it's completely deteriorating and leaks water on my new interior that I have so much time and money in. I really needed this idea and I might take it a step further by brushing a thin coat of body seam sealer, the same stuff people use to seal new floorpans. I plan to paint the truck in the next year or so. I will just leave the raw aluminum finish for now. Besides my truck is lifted 6 inches and rolls on 35 x15 tires anyway so few people see the roof..

[@FullySpooled]

Sounds like a good plan. The aluminum panel with weatherstripping will definitely seal it up well.

[@hoodratzdriftshop9422]

Ik these videos are old but you have gave me a lot of inspiration and I really appreciate the fact that your not scared to fabricate your own stuff glows great series and build!!

[@FullySpooled]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you're finding some inspiration from this series. There's definitely no better way to learn how to fabricate than just diving in.

[@GrandOnevia]

00:06 Thank you. Man your production really went up with this video. Great job on the roof and the video. Can't wait to hear this thing rip around the track.

[@FullySpooled]

Haha hope you liked the exhaust sound. Yeah I had fun editing this one. Put in a bit more effort than usual.

[@802Garage]

Awesome job as always! I still can't believe you have 2.7K subs when this is better than vids from channels with 100K. :P Can you sell the sunroof assembly for anything? That would be a nice bonus. Can't wait for the track day!

[@FullySpooled]

802 Garage I actually didn’t test the sunroof before removing it. It doesn’t leak, so as long as it works correctly I could probably sell it. Just need to find someone looking for a sunroof for a 26 year old car. :)

[@802Garage]

I know for a lot of older cars it's a pretty common item for someone to look for. Especially for just the glass. One assembly sold on eBay in November for $218. They don't seem to sell often, but they are worth money. Could test if it works off the car with just a battery too.

[@pushrodgarage8716]

Looking good man! You’ll definitely appreciate the helmet clearance. Nothing worse that worrying about bashing your head when you are trying to drift.

[@FullySpooled]

Pushrod Garage yeah I’ll have plenty of other stuff to worry about, like “what is that sound?” and “is that smell coming from my car?” or “is that fire coming out of my engine bay?”

[@dillonlyons6154]

Gotta say been following since episode 1 and it's been quite a journey! Can't wait to see it on drift day

[@FullySpooled]

Thanks for watching so long. Hopefully it's gotten better since the early episodes.

[@dillonlyons6154]

I've always enjoyed them since the first one lol. I'm really surprised this series hasn't gotten more views! Quality content as always 👍 and I love the editing effort you put in these

[@FullySpooled]

@@dillonlyons6154 I appreciate the kind words. I'm also surprised, but it's a lot harder to stand out these days on youtube.

[@dillonlyons6154]

I agree man. I know it's hard to get content out daily but that seems like the only way these days to get a good following

[@WaterBearOfficial]

Looks great! That aluminum panel would look great polished, but that unfinished look gives it a great utilitarian look also

[@rq9588]

Been waiting for an update for a while! Great video series!

[@FullySpooled]

Thanks! It takes time to put together decent episodes, so thanks for waiting.

[@rq9588]

Fully Spooled the time really paid off. I like seeing so much detail through the build

[@Thepondguy85]

Glad I found this been looking at different ways to take my sunroof out of my suburban. Probably going to go this route cause it’s getting line x put on the entire truck when I’m ready for it

[@FullySpooled]

This has been holding strong years later. No leaks or issues with the rivets, so I suggest going this route for sure. Good luck!

[@revmatchtv]

Track day super soon!! I’ll be prepping this weekend so we can go do some slides together. Nice job on the sunroof! Exited to see this car running.

[@FullySpooled]

I can't wait. I have a TON of prep work left to do as well. Hoping to accomplish a lot over the next two weekends.

[@matthewkisul1651]

Hello I watched all your videos last night and I'm excited to see more keep the great work up 😂

[@802Garage]

ALL of them in one night? What a binge!

[@FullySpooled]

Thanks for watching. And wow, all of them in one night is pretty epic.

[@matthewkisul1651]

No it's was a couple of days

[@802Garage]

@@matthewkisul1651 Still, props! It's one of my fav channels though.

[@FullySpooled]

@@802Garage awww shucks.

[@nelsonramos2218]

Unique sc build Sir! 👍

[@FullySpooled]

Thanks!

[@saeturn29]

Good stuff man! I really enjoy the diy build, especially as a fabricator myself. The exhaust build came out very well for a diy build. I had to put my stock exhaust back on for the time being until we find out if they can change this annoying exhaust fine. I'm actually in LA right now about to catch a flight back to NorCal! Cheers

[@FullySpooled]

Yep the exhaust fine is annoying. The main reason I'm building a track dedicated car is to have the freedom to build whatever I want without worrying about that kind of stuff anymore. Thanks for watching. I'm definitely no fabricator, but I'm learning.

[@alexsc4006]

Dude great content👌👌👌

[@FullySpooled]

Thanks Alex. It's always easier to make an episode about one mod or project like this. Easier to edit and better quality videos.

[@pjdillon7982]

Hey since your learning to drift may I suggest adams motorsports park in riverside, they have practice nights very often as well as applevally raceway formerly the grange. Just thought I'd throw that out there since your sc is just about there

[@FullySpooled]

Yeah I'll definitely be hitting up both of those places. I like the idea of balcony for my first time since it's so open. Really hard to hit a wall there. But I want to hit all the tracks soon. Thanks for the tips!

[@SpideyOnPSN]

Ah, _that's_ who you remind me of... *Tom Verica* LOL

[@BoostDreamer]

Definitely loving that look. I kinda want to remove mine

[@FullySpooled]

It helps with weight reduction for sure. Looks pretty cool too.

[@BoostDreamer]

I might have to follow your layout on this man. Looks sick

[@dreamsteadily4914]

Dang, I love my sunroof. Sick vid!

[@AndrewBurtonS-group]

what is that app you use to see the exhaust noise level that was cool.

[@FullySpooled]

It's called dB Meter on the app store. Really handy to have and it's free.

[@AndrewBurtonS-group]

@@FullySpooled thanks man :) Ive watched almost all your videos on the LS build they are great

[@retrolu1]

good job man

[@FullySpooled]

Thank you sir!

[@lucusss4]

I wanna do the same thing to my SC but I'm planning on using lexan since my car is still a street car and way the accessibility of having a sunroof. But racecar right lol!!

[@FullySpooled]

I thought about lexan, but the aluminum was going to be faster and cheaper. I may still switch to lexan in the future some day. Rob's Chairslayer S13 has a lexan panel for the sunroof and it looks pretty awesome. Just cracks super easy.

[@lucusss4]

Fully Spooled I didn't know they cracked easily but I'm still going to have sort of interior, if I had a full blown race car like yours I'd prob change my mind or not even have a sunroof in general

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Do they require you to remove the sunroof , or do you just want to save to 5 or 10 lbs ?

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Ok the 30 or 40 lbs lol

[@FullySpooled]

@@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263 My helmet was hitting the sunroof when I was sitting in the car. You can absolutely have a sunroof in a drift car, but you can't have your head smashed into it the whole time. :)

[@Streetmodz-Joe]

AHH NICE ONE BRO. where did you get the Aluminum from?

[@FullySpooled]

A local metal supply store called Industrial Metal Supply. Local stores are the best for metal since shipping is so expensive for heavy stuff like this.

[@Filthy_Goblin_44]

how has it held up so far? do you think it could withstand weather as a daily driver?

[@FullySpooled]

It's held up great. Just make sure to add enough 3M weather stripping around the rivets. 3 of my rivets leaked about a drip every couple minutes in heavy rain, so I had to add some more sealant on the bottom side.

[@ronniecason9807]

@Fully Spooled would you happen to know if the seat rails are the same between the sc300 and sc400? If so you might want to look into some corbeau seats they're really comfortable i have a set in my honda crx

[@FullySpooled]

Yes everything is the same between the 300 and 400 minus the engines, transmissions, and small things like diff ratios. Things like interior pieces, suspension, body panels, etc are all identical. Corbeau seats are nice. They are on my list of seats to check out for sure. Just expensive like any FIA approved seat.

[@ronniecason9807]

Fully Spooled well the regular forza seats are only about 230 and the rails are 120 so not to bad in my opinion. I bought them one at a time just left the stock passenger seat in. But in your case you could just get one for now and move the one currently on the driver side to the passenger side. Because let’s face it how many 6’2” passengers are you gonna have riding along lol.

[@523motorsports]

What gauge sheet metal did you use?

[@miguelruiz449]

what's the name of the gun you use for those nails

[@FullySpooled]

It’s a rivet gun.

[@doom5277]

im from LA shiiiiit lol good shit man

[@MrChevroletEd]

What thickness sheet metal? Also, how has it held up so far?

[@humphrey8553]

.040

[@nicholascooper7743]

What size rivers did you use?

[@FullySpooled]

Nicholas Cooper 1/8 inch rivets. All the parts are linked in the video description.

[@nicholascooper7743]

Thank you, I’m making a sunroof patch panel for my foxbody

[@ayhamalhindi5172]

I would use clear plastic (ecrilic) instead

[@FullySpooled]

Yep, also works. I just didn't want to deal with the cracks that will ultimately form with acrylic. Aluminum is a very permanent solution.

[@Chukers420]

3 days man I can’t wait for u to get sideways

[@FullySpooled]

I've been working on the car for around 12 hours a day getting it ready. It'll be there and running, I can tell you that much.

[@lancercool1992]

any ways to hide the rivets?

[@FullySpooled]

Unfortunately no. Rivets have to go through both layers of metal. You could try using countersunk bolts that sit flush with the panel, but you'd still see the circles where the bolt heads are and they may not work with how thin the panel is.

[@928pcar]

What a bush league job

[@deadlyartifact]

You still have the old sunroof

[@FullySpooled]

Yes I do. I need to sell it actually.