Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Tuesday March 19, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > Interior & Exterior Modification

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-25-2006, 08:01 PM   #1
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default DIY - JDM RA Rally Roof Vent Install




The JDM RA Rally Roof Vent Install
Photos and Text by: Drew Brashler (yesitsdrew5310)

Disclaimer: Modification of your car involves risks and may void your warranty. I can not be held responsible for the modifications you consciously decide to undertake nor for the results of doing so.

Note: This modification was made to a 05' Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS Wagon, other models installations may differ slightly.


Alright, with that part out of the way. I purchased this vent 6 months ago in a NASIOC Group Buy, I think I paid $380. New its around $330 now, I know you can get it at www.japanparts.com. It comes in JDM colors, so I purchased the Black, and took it to a body shop to get it sanded and painted PSM. (I spent around $30-35 to get it painted) Anyway it has been sitting in my closet ever since I got it painted. Spring break rolled around for me, so I decided to go ahead and install this thing. I got help from Jamesrt from NASIOC.com (thank you very much). We used his garage and his tools.

Tools Needed:
- JDM RA Rally Roof Vent Kit
- 14mm Wrench or Socket
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Flathead Screwdriver
- A Good Drill with Sharp Bits
- Dremel with Reinforced Cutting Bit
- X-Acto Kinfe
- Thin Tip Sharpie
- Thick Paper to Make Template
- Scissors
- Duct Tape or Gaffers Tape
- Plastic Trash Bag
- Safety Glasses


Here is a photo of what comes in the JDM RA Rally Roof Vent Kit:



Part 1 - Removal of the Headliner
You can really remove the headliner any way you want, but this is the way I did it.


Thanks to SloSubie here on NASIOC he said for sedan owners that:

Quote:
Originally Posted by SloSubie
if the passenger seat in the sedan is removed the headliner comes right out the front right passenger door.
So if you own a sedan, you have one more easier step toward installing the roof vent!


Step 1 - Removing the Sunvisors:
Break out your Philips Screwdriver and remove the 3 screws holding each visor on.




Step 2 - Removing the Side Handles:
Unsnap the covers from the sides of the handles and use your Philips Screwdriver to remove the 2 screws holding each handle on.




Step 3 - Removing the Dome Light:
Use a flathead screwdriver to pop the clear cover off the light. Then use a flathead screwdriver to remove the 2 screws. The dome light should be loose now, pull it down. Take your flathead screwdriver and lift the piece of plastic holding the power connector on, and detach the power connector.




Step 4 - Removing the Top Seat Belt Point:
Pop the covers off, and use your 14mm wrench or socket to remove the bolts. Let the seatbelt point just dangle.




Step 5 - Removing the Side Trim Molding on the A and B Pillars:
This is really easy, you just pull on them, and they come off. Fully remove the A pillar side molding. Pull the B pillar side molding down out of the way, but don't fully remove it.



* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Last edited by Yesitsdrew5310; 01-12-2007 at 07:31 PM.
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 03-25-2006, 08:02 PM   #2
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Step 6 – Removing the Clips Holding the Headliner:
Use a flathead screwdriver and pull the clips off. Try to not put too much pressure on the headliner if prying them out.




Step 7 – Removing the C Pillar Side Trim Molding:
Grab a Philips screwdriver and unscrew the 2 screws on the C pillar trim. As showed in the 2nd photo the rear storage cover holder pops right off. Then pull off the c pillar trim and run the middle seatbelt thought the opening by popping off the plastic. (you will see what I mean when you get to this part).






Step 8 – Removing the Headliner:
Now carefully remove the headliner through the back of your wagon. Sedan owners, I’m sorry, you get to let the headliner rest on your driver seats. I would recommend removing your headrests on your seats as well. The headliner is fairly sturdy, and is hard to bend, but don’t get over confidante.


Part 2 – Installing the JDM Roof Vent
Here is the fun part, where you get to drill and cut into your cars roof! You ready??? Good, here we go.

Step 1 – Removing the Map Light Bracket:

EDIT: Some people have installed the vent without removing this, I took mine off, but if you feel you can install yours without removing this feel free. If you do remove it, you might want to get some Drill Bit Stop Collars (search it up on google), this will help the drill bit not catching the metal and accidently making a welt in your roof. They look like this:




Behold… the map light bracket:



Even if you don’t have the map light, sadly you still have the bracket. So you get to remove this. The easiest way is to grab a drill and drill out the spot welds. There is amble room between the spot welds and the roof, just make sure you don’t start going into the roof.








Step 2 – Mount the vent bracket:
Use the supplied black screws to mount up. This is going to show you where to drill the holes.


Step 3 (the big step) – Drill the holes:
After this big step, there IS no going back. Once you drill these holes you would have to replace your roof to go back. Mark with a sharpie where the holes will be, remove the bracket, and drill them out.


Last edited by Yesitsdrew5310; 04-23-2010 at 06:59 PM.
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 08:02 PM   #3
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Step 4 – Mark Where the Cutout Will be on the Inside:
Bolt up the vent bracket and the vent trim. Line up the bracket to the holes you just drilled, and tighten down. Attach the vent trim by using the 2 black screws that will attach the handle for opening and closing the vent. Press the back of the bracket up so it is touching the roof. Grab your sharpie and trace on the roof where the hole will be cut.




Step 5 – Make a Template for the Top:
Unbolt the bracket and unscrew the vent trim. Now take the vent trim and make a template on thick paper just like you did with the roof. Cut out the template. Mark which is pointed toward the front because the curves are not the same front to back.




Step 6 – Drill Pilot Holes for Placement of the Template on the Roof:
Grab a drill with a small bit and drill pilot holes in the roof to show you where to place the template.




Step 7 – Draw the Line for Cutting on the Roof:
Use the template and a sharpie and draw where you will cut.




Step 8 – Tape a Plastic Bag to the Roof:
Use Duct Tape and tape a plastic bag under where the hole will be. Trust me, if you don’t do this you will spend a lot of time cleaning the interior.




Step 9 – Cut the Hole:

It's recommended to put tape around where the hole would be cut to protect from scratches. Grab a Dremel and use a reinforced cutting bit. Set it at the highest speed the Dremel will go to, and SLOWLY cut out the hole. If you have a friend, you can have them hold a vacuum next to the bit and catch all the dust.

(here is me cutting the hole)






Step 10 – Clean the Hole and the Roof:
Use a vacuum and vacuum the roof off. Remember those are metal shavings and metal dust, so it will easily scratch your roof, so be careful!


Last edited by Yesitsdrew5310; 03-25-2006 at 09:08 PM.
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 08:02 PM   #4
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Step 11 – Observe Your New Skylight/Mini Sunroof in Your Car:
YAY the hole is cut!!!




Step 12 – Bolt on the Vent Flap:
First you need to bolt up the vent bracket on the inside of the car. Line up the holes and bolt it down. Then slip the 4 bolts that are attached to the vent and slide them through the holes. Use the 4 nuts included in the kit and tighten them down.




Step 13 – Install the Rubber Seal:
Now grab the gasket that was included with the vent. This has a type of glue inside it where the rubber attaches to the metal. You need to twist the gasket out and slip it over the metal. On my gasket there was a white dot where the center was. My hole was smaller than the gasket so we cut the gasket in the center and then cut it to the correct size using metal sheers.

Note: Make sure there is a rubber lip sticking up. This is what makes the seal between the roof and the vent flap. Some other DIY’s have this upside down.




Step 14 – Cutting the headliner:
Now grab the vent trim, the headliner and an X-Acto Knife and start cutting away at it. We ended up putting ours a bit to forward than where it was spoce to be, but it all worked out in the end. We drilled though the headliner for where the plastic clips would be. These plastic clips will attach the trim, through the headliner and then attach to the vent bracket. Good Luck!











Step 15 – Finishing Up the Vent:
Use the supplied clips to attach the trim through the headliner to the bracket. Then use the 2 supplied black screws to attach the latch from the vent to the trim and bracket.


Step 16 – Replace Headliner and Other Things:
Replace everything back to how it was.

The headliner did crease a little from the trim, it may be that we installed it a bit too low on the headliner. But I think its from the headliner not being made for the vent.




Last edited by Yesitsdrew5310; 03-26-2006 at 04:06 PM.
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 08:03 PM   #5
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Step 17– Open and Close the Flap and Enjoy Your New Mod:
Your done! Give yourself a pat on the back, and go drive to get something to eat. And enjoy the cool air.


(Vent Closed)


(Vent Open)



Step 18 – Go take photos of your car:








(Note on photos, my light bar was removed because I am getting a Rally Innovations Light Bar.)












Total time was around 3 hours, and was a lot easier than I thought it would be. The vent is awesome; it pulls in a good amount of air. The noise at 80 MPH is quieter than having one window open. If you really want to move air through your car, crack the back windows about 3 inches and it’s awesome. When the vent is shut, there is no noise noticeable. The waterproof part has not been tested yet, I think I might try to go through a brushless carwash and see if it leaks at all (when closed). Just make sure you don’t wash your windshield with the vent open, unless you want to have a shower inside your car. The vent is either open or closed, there is no in between.

There are a lot of questions regarding the text on the flap and what it means. Thanks to inchoate, we have a translation. (NOTE: This translation is for amusement purposes only, Inchoate makes no guarantee of it's accuracy.)

Quote:
Originally Posted by inchoate
i talked to my japanese speaking friend today and she gave me a translation of the inside cover of the roof vent. here it is:

warning for operation of roof ventilator

-do not operate roof vent while going faster than 80km/hr
-do not get fingers caught in roof vent
-do not allow children to operate roof vent

This concludes the DIY Installation for the JDM RA Rally Roof Vent. I hope this will help you or a friend of yours install their roof vent. I would strongly recommend getting one, because they are sweet! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day.


Drew Brashler


P.S. Post up photos in this thread of your install. The more photos we get in here, the better this thread will be!

Last edited by Yesitsdrew5310; 05-08-2006 at 11:37 AM.
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 08:03 PM   #6
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

(extra space just incase)
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 08:48 PM   #7
Bishop
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 59993
Join Date: Apr 2004
Chapter/Region: International
Location: WWAAYY west of the Mississippi
Vehicle:
Ass, grass or cash
no one rides for free!!

Default

now that's a write up!!! i really thinkin about doin this to my wagon.

one suggestion:

in step 9 maybe you should insert something about tapping up the roof before cutting. painters tape? it should be less prone to scratchin w/the tape on.


vince
Bishop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 09:04 PM   #8
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by J*Bishop
in step 9 maybe you should insert something about tapping up the roof before cutting. painters tape? it should be less prone to scratchin w/the tape on.
Sure man. I'll put it in there. I didnt have to worry as much from using a Dremel, but that is a good idea!
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 09:04 PM   #9
topend
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 70886
Join Date: Sep 2004
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: NB,CT
Vehicle:
02 S2K // 98 Civic
Blue // Red

Default

nice write up.. i'll prolly use it when i go vented
topend is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 09:43 PM   #10
ami2fst4u
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 40638
Join Date: Jul 2003
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: STiLL WILL is "STiLL" slower!!
Vehicle:
'04 PSM STi
Has some work done... ;)

Default

Where did you happen to get the PSM (1G) vent, or did you just have it painted?

Rick
ami2fst4u is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 09:55 PM   #11
makanai
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 65277
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Vehicle:
2004 WRX Wagon
Platinum Silver

Default

Awesome write up! They should all be this good!
makanai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2006, 10:20 PM   #12
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ami2fst4u
Where did you happen to get the PSM (1G) vent, or did you just have it painted?

Rick
I purchased it black, then had it painted. I think it was like $30-35 to get painted.
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 06:23 AM   #13
Black-Falcon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 106318
Join Date: Jan 2006
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: AZ
Vehicle:
16 Cadirrack
ATS-V

Default

Great write up bro! The end result looks bad-ass.
Black-Falcon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 11:09 AM   #14
enewtabie
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 18928
Join Date: May 2002
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Butner,Stem NC
Vehicle:
2002 jdm wrx v7/v8
inter/w Spec C roof vent

Default

Three hours..come on you can do it under two..


Great job and great pics..Nice write-up too.
enewtabie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 01:35 PM   #15
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

^^ well if we used a jig saw we could have done it in 1.5 hours! OHHHHHHHHhh.

We decided to take our time with the dremel. It worked great! Now to just get my new Rally Innovations Light bar on there. (its shipping out tommrow)
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 02:31 PM   #16
RS drifter
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 7891
Join Date: Jun 2001
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: BFE
Vehicle:
2005 wrx STI
Aspen MF white!

Default

very good write up
RS drifter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 02:31 PM   #17
wrxzboost
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 86322
Join Date: May 2005
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Default

this should be a sticky!
wrxzboost is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 02:52 PM   #18
Bishop
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 59993
Join Date: Apr 2004
Chapter/Region: International
Location: WWAAYY west of the Mississippi
Vehicle:
Ass, grass or cash
no one rides for free!!

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wrxzboost
this should be a sticky!
yeah maybe North Ursalia can put it in his sticky up top.


also. those not concerend w/weight. this would be a good time to put sound deadening. fwiw my wagon is much quieter during a rain storm. under normal driving conditions though the deadening didn't do much if anyting. i have yet to do the doors and floor.

Last edited by Bishop; 03-26-2006 at 03:00 PM.
Bishop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 03:07 PM   #19
5spdfrk
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 46407
Join Date: Oct 2003
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Way souf of ATL
Vehicle:
2002 WRX
blew

Default

bookmarked!
5spdfrk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 03:10 PM   #20
STi-MAN
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 70252
Join Date: Sep 2004
Vehicle:
05 STI
blue

Default

i want one .
STi-MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 03:17 PM   #21
cyrexpl
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 58632
Join Date: Apr 2004
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: DFW Texas
Vehicle:
1998 GC8

Default

Fantastic write-up, I'd install a roof vent in my WRX, but I'm a weenie and shudder at the thought of cutting my roof up.
cyrexpl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 03:18 PM   #22
bl_easy
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91407
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Pitkin County, COLORADO
Vehicle:
Ver. 2 WRX STi wagon
BRetty green

Default

Wow, that is awesome

nice tutorial, too.
bl_easy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 03:45 PM   #23
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Thanks guys. I would love to put it on scoobymods but I have to pay to post it up??? whats with that? I understand why though, I just dont want to pay the $3 to post it up there. Maybe when I do my DIY for the Stainless Steel Brake Lines I will pay and then post all these DIY's that I have made.

- JDM RA Rally Roof Vent
- Replacing Brake Pad's
- Front and Rear Strut Bar Installs in a Wagon
- Corbeau FX1 Pro Seat Install (not written yet)
- Stainless Steel Brake Line Install (not written yet)
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 04:08 PM   #24
enewtabie
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 18928
Join Date: May 2002
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Butner,Stem NC
Vehicle:
2002 jdm wrx v7/v8
inter/w Spec C roof vent

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yesitsdrew5310
^^ well if we used a jig saw we could have done it in 1.5 hours! OHHHHHHHHhh.

We decided to take our time with the dremel. It worked great! Now to just get my new Rally Innovations Light bar on there. (its shipping out tommrow)
Hitachi jigsaw for teh win!
enewtabie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2006, 04:09 PM   #25
Yesitsdrew5310
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95182
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza 2.5 RS
Silver w/ JDM Roof Vent

Default

Interior Photos Added to DIY
Yesitsdrew5310 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
RA roof vent install - anyone down to help? 409Industries Southern California Impreza Club Forum -- SCIC 6 03-19-2009 08:10 PM
what do you think of the JDM RA-R roof vent? Loomin Vancouver Impreza Club Forum -- VIC 62 06-10-2008 12:44 AM
JDM SPEC-C Roof Vent Install Pics & Video bigboy Interior & Exterior Modification 45 07-25-2007 04:00 PM
JDM SPEC-C roof vent install bigboy South East Region Forum 25 07-23-2007 09:30 PM
RA Roof Vent Install Help Jaker Interior & Exterior Modification 0 02-10-2005 01:40 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.