DIY: Rear window shade retrofit using existing rear deck

BadGTho · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2011, 05:51 PM

As the title states this DIY retrofits the E36 manual read window shade into the original rear deck. previously BMW sold a rear deck made to fit the shade but it's now NLA.

I'm installing the kit which is also NLA. The kit includes the shade, 2 clips, 2 end caps. all of those parts can be currently ordered.

RealOEM.com BMW E36 M3 REAR WINDOW SHELF/SUN BLIND

The first step is to remove the rear deck.

1. the first step is to fold down the rear seat or remove the rear seat back if you have a non-folding seat.
when you do this you'll expose the black plastic trim piece. it's held in with 4 push christmas trees. if you have headrests you'll need to remove them at this point.

2. the next step is to pull off the rear bolsters (pull the top straight out) and then pull off the opera panels.

3. Once this is done you can lift up the rear deck and slide it out. (you may find it easier to remove the rear door panels to get the deck out but it's not neccessary)

4. Now that the rear deck is out you need to locate the center. it's pretty clear where the sunshade will mount. there is an angled portion of the shelf. i used some blue tape to protect the deck.

5. Next you need to measure the length of the shade and mark both ends

6. This is the tricky part. you now need to cut 2 parallel slits in the deck about 1.5cm apart. i used a straight edge and sharp mat knife. i went very very slowly.

7. connect the 2 slits and remove the small section you've just cut.

8. now pop the new shade into the deck from the bottom. you'll notice that the shade's frame is contoured to grasp the cut edges you've just created. this requires some patience and the shade must be partially extended.

9. lastly you'll need to pop in the 2 little end caps. these dress up the edges
of your cut.

and it works...

10. now you'll need to install the 2 little cleats/clips that go onto the inside of the roof between the headliner and the metal. if you look along the edge of your rear window you'll see 2 little male tabs that are made to accept these cleats. they just press in. make sure that you identify the right and left.

this picture shows how the cleat looks when it's installed.

11. reinstall the deck. i needed to remove these tar-covered cardboard supports from the rear deck. the shade will now take up some room that's filled with these forms and some foam.

12. reinstall the seats and you're done.

i'm happy with it.