DIY - JDM RA Rally Roof Vent Install

[25rsti]

EMS always does fine for me, typically just a few days.

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[scalve1]

I just did my vent install this weekend and I wanted to post some feedback and tips.

First off thanks to the OP, the pics and guidelines really made the idea of cutting a giant hole in my roof less intimidating!

I ordered my kit from japanparts, like most people. I saw someone recently ask about shipping. I chose EMS, which was one of the cheapest options. From the day I ordered it to the day I picked it up from the post office was 11 days (5/31 - 6/11)! A lot faster than the 28 days that was estimated when I ordered it. Actually it should have been delivered in 10 days, but a signature is required so I went and picked it up from my post office the next day.

I have a sedan so it was a little "tougher' getting the head liner out, but with the passenger front seat out and the driver's rear door open it can be done with a little finagling. Which gives me my first tip, take the headliner out! Don't try to trim it in the car! It really is not that hard to get it out of the car; once you figure it out the first time it goes in and out the same way. Getting the headliner right was the hardest part IMO. I could not figure out a good way to make a template for the head liner that had some common points for lining it up on the head liner. A lot of trial and error with this step, cut a little bit, put it back in the car and test, cut a little more, test again, etc. I could not imagine having to do this with it in the car, props to you guys that did it that way.

I saw a few other replies mention this, but you do not have to take the map light bracket out. Honestly I think you are supposed to leave it in. If you order the kit from japanparts it even comes with screws that are used to bolt the vent bracket to the maplight bracket. So save yourself the hassle and leave it in.

Before you cut or drill the roof, put blue painters tap over the WHOLE roof panel. Metal burrs and dust get all over it, and you will rest your arm on it at some point, then those burs cause scratches in the clear coat. I only put tape on the front half of the roof panel and now I have fine scratches on the back half that will take a good bit of buffing to remove.

Last tip is to help with lining up the template you make to cut out the hole in the roof. Use the interior trim piece to make your template out of cardboard from a shipping box. Then install the vent bracket and interior trim piece in the car. Put some double sided tap on the top of the template and then use the interior trim piece to line up where the hole should be from the inside of the car. With your template stuck to the inside of the roof, remove the interior trim and vent bracket. Then drill a few offset holes through the center of the template and the roof; you are cutting this piece out of the roof so who cares if it has a few holes in it. Now bring the template to the outside of the roof and line up the holes in the template with the ones in the roof. You can even put a few bolts through the holes to hold the template to the roof and use it as a guide when you are cutting.

Overall it is not that tough of a job just take your time!!! Give yourself a whole day so you are not rushed. Good luck!

[Bikelok]

Originally Posted by scalve1

I could not figure out a good way to make a template for the head liner that had some common points for lining it up on the head liner. A lot of trial and error with this step, cut a little bit, put it back in the car and test, cut a little more, test again, etc. I could not imagine having to do this with it in the car, props to you guys that did it that way.

Not that I have done this, but what if you were to take the headliner out, then cut the roof. After the hole is cut in the roof, reinstall the headliner. Then you can use the hole in the roof as a template. Would that work or is there something I'm missing?

[scalve1]

Originally Posted by Bikelok

Not that I have done this, but what if you were to take the headliner out, then cut the roof. After the hole is cut in the roof, reinstall the headliner. Then you can use the hole in the roof as a template. Would that work or is there something I'm missing?

Not a bad idea. If you put the headliner back in, then marked it through the hole you cut in the roof that would probably be a good start. It would require some additional cutting in the map light area, but it would be a good starting reference.

[carbonwrex]

Excited i get my roof vent in today . Hopefully will have some pics for you guys when its installed

[carbonwrex]

So the install wasn't that bad actually . Just more nerve wrecking cutting that first cut afterwards it was cake . Here's some photos of the install . Last pic is of my car at Subaru summer solstice on Sunday . Hands down one of the best mods I've done to her . love it !

[blue92x]

Awesome write up — I didn't even know this was possible (now I'm starting to consider it too, haha)

[Big-E]

One of the best mods that I did.

Unfortunately, Subaru recently discontinued production of this item.

[YnotDIY]

This is wicked!

[ijn ducky]

Does anyone have a kit of this they haven’t installed yet? Or know where to get one?

Edit: if anyone asks and is messaged by Paulh00, they’re a scammer. Sent me obviously edited photos with texts in broken English. I may be foolish for buying so many things I don’t need, but I’m not stupid.

[Homemade WRX]

That's good looking out! Scammers suck.

[ijn ducky]

He's banned now, so huzzah. Also, if anyone that has one of these installed currently is willing to remove it for 3D scanning and reproduction, I'm willing to go get that done and sell more kits.

[Unabomber]

Originally Posted by ijn ducky

He's banned now, so huzzah. Also, if anyone that has one of these installed currently is willing to remove it for 3D scanning and reproduction, I'm willing to go get that done and sell more kits.

Message Homemade WRX above. I got a lickably new OEM JDM kit about a year ago. Step one was to send it to him for 3D scanning for this very purpose.....a terrific scan for someone in the future who had the balls to do this. He scanned it. Now if ya'll can work something out or not is between ya'll.