Manual Sunshade Conversion

kinokava

kinokava

New Member
After removing the entire ceiling trim (which is a big effort), I inspected the sunshades to determine if they were salvageable. The motors still operate but the long coiled pieces that run along the track and into the copper tubes don't retract. The cost of the motorized sunshade parts on Amayama is about $750 per sunshade, making the cost to replace 4 sunshades (that might break again in the future) close to $3,000 USD. Converting the sunshades to be manual seems to be more financially and mechanically viable.

After inspecting the sunshade part, I am brainstorming the best method for the manual conversion: pulled and clipped, pulled and snapped or simply drawn shut by removing the spring in the shade. I'm looking for a visually minimal and minimally intrusive method that doesn't damage other parts of the car (confining modifications and alterations solely to the sunshade part).

Has anyone had experience converting their broken motorized sunshades to be manual?

Thanks for the help and feedback.
 
Well, I replaced the broken slider on my right rear sunshade, and now it's not working again. So, I may be in the same boat as you, if I can't find a replacement motor/mount unit.
 
I'm going through a similar process! I thought about trying to go for manual pull but have since decided to ditch any/all assemblies on the roof in favor of custom cut/formed reflictix-fronted, foam/fabric backed sheets of polycarbonate. We'll attach with either magnets or a velcro strip.

I measured the dead space now that the tracks are deleted and it's just about 1.5". Some nice, high-density foam I had laying around is a direct fit for the gap and should look clean!
 
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