Anyone ever fabricate rear side windows that open?

[David Marquis]

otiswesty, That would be VERY helpful. I found someone in New Jersey at a scrap yard with some but he wants $$$$
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1989 Westfalia Vanogan GL, 2.1

[otiswesty]

Sorry, just a couple of side pieces and elbow inserts.
These used to be readily available on the bay classifieds.
Surprised they have become this hard to find.
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1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

[mozcar78]

I know this thread about rear slider windows. But has anyone ever considered rear pop outs like "happich" kits for the MK2 GTI? There is a gentleman on facebook who makes them for the MK1 rabbit and the MK2 Golf/GTI. I bet he could make these for the vanagon as well. Only if the demand is there.

Our vans could benefit from the parachuting effect that we encounter when the sliders are fully open. Any thoughts?
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89' Vanagon GL 'Free Candy' Edition
81' Rabbit Truck

[David Marquis]

Thank you anyway otiswesty. I appreciate your having looked for me.
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1989 Westfalia Vanogan GL, 2.1

[shadetreetim]

[Fhak915]

I made these. Not super hard. I had some glass made that was tempered and had the locking latch located back so the westy screens work.
Back passengers like them
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Frank
86 AW EJ22

[syncrodoka]

That is exactly what I want. Rear windows that slide open and have screens. What do they look like closed? Any details that you have would be appreciated.
I have some window frames sitting around for this project.

[Fhak915]

They look just like the westy slliders when closed. I could get a picture, but you probably have seen them a million times.
It was a little trick to make the beveled cuts and re-bend the leading upper radius. I first attempted making them without the rear air vent from the late model vanagons, but it was much easer use the plastic air vent.
I had to make some new patterns for the glass which was very expensive. I think I paid over 100 for the two pieces. I build 3 sets, one for each side of my adventurewagon and one for a friend.
With anodizing, tint, and glass I probably was in it over $500.
Good luck,
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Frank
86 AW EJ22

[danfromsyr]

they look very nice, quite like factory would..

but that's a fair amount of $$..
the DIY ones I did were nearly free.. a piece of aluminum flashing from the hardware store..

my van isn't nice enough for $500 windows.
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[David Marquis]

shadetreetim,

you had stated above:

" If I find a late model vented window in the salvage I'm going to buy the whole thing just to satisfy my curiosity. The ones i've found are all earlier models with glass only."


This guy, as of now, has some of the rear windows that include the vent.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1512068

Also, you had stated:

"I have an extra drivers side sliding window sitting in the garage and would love to do this to it. Thinking the frame could be cut where it butts up to the vent??? Have new glass cut that butts up to the vent??? That piece is the fixed glass. It could be sealed to the vent??? Except I don't know how the front of the vent is configured. Never seen one in person out of the van. Does it have a groove the window sets in?"

I uploaded some photos for you, and whom ever might find them helpful, that illustrate the relationship between the glass, rubber seal, and the plastic rear vent.

Besides the ones I have placed into this forum, there are more in my photo feed at this link:

Hope it helps.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?...ts=summary

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1989 Westfalia Vanogan GL, 2.1

[Fhak915]

I still have the glass templates and a connection to get the glass pieces made. If enough people were interested, I could try to get more glass made. Probably be about $120 or so for the safety glass not including shipping.
The other expense I forgot to mention is the extra frame you need to cannibalize to make this work. I also had them anodized.
This is a picture of the difference in the leading upper corner from the rear window to the middle door window. I had to bend the frame a little to get the proper shape.

If you use the middle window operable glass, the glass will not seat completely in the weatherstripping channel. It might make some wind noise.
You will also not be able to use a westy screen.
Here is a photo of it closed.

It opens about 8". This was the max I could go and still use the stock screen.
I think this is the most you could get regardless of where the lock latch is located.
David Marquis's photo of the rear vent receiving he glass is how the stock solid window is placed. I found that the fixed piece of the slider was not in plane with the vent channel. I used an extra piece of another window frame to make the rear vertical portion of the frame.
Over all, I am very happy with them. The time to make these is significant, and I dont think vanagon owners would be willing to pay to have someone make them. They aren't too hard to do though.
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Frank
86 AW EJ22

[tiicosyncro]

I'd be down to have someone else make em, I have too many projects as it is.

[shadetreetim]

[syncrodoka]

I am interested in glass if you do another run.

[hans j]

[tarandusVDub]

Me Three. What they said.
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

[Fhak915]

Sounds like 4 people are interested.
Ill look into lead times and get back to those interested.
The list so far includes David Marquis, Syncrodoka, Hans J, and Tarandus.
Please PM me to verify you are serious.
A couple things to consider:
1. You are up for the fab and not expecting me to make these for you.
2. Are you going to tint these windows. It is best to since some Vanagons came with different color glass. Some are clear and others are more blue. I think the glass I got had the similar blue/green color of the solex glass.
3. You have an extra sliders to cannibalize. I used one for the window and another messed up slider to make the rear vertical piece. If some one has some bad sliders you can get a few from one.
4. You have the rear vents from a later model vanagon.
5. Do you want one set or two. Westies only need the passenger side, but passenger vans might want to. The glass can be used on either side, its up to you to make the frame for the right or left.
Let me know if your interested and Ill do my best to help.
Last time I got the glass it was not readily available. Not sure if it is NLA.
Thanks,
Frank
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Frank
86 AW EJ22

[RogueHero]

I would love to do this, but it sounds a little over my head at this moment. Let me know how these work out!

[jerrydog411]

Hi Frank.

I am interested in one set, also.

Thank you for this ...


John

[noganav]

Here's some shots of the sliding rear windows I made. Very easy to do as long as you have the rear vent. To make the back portion of the frame you'll need a piece of a second frame (you can get 4 of the back sections out of each spare frame)

I figured out the possible latch placements and set mine up for the biggest screened opening (9.5 inches) I cut a set of GoWesty screens down to fit. With a stock screen the maximum opening is 8 inches. With no screen it could open to 14 inches.

The only dicey part is getting the glass right. For anyone interested in a set of glass I'm happy to help, send me a pm.

This is how you get the back window in without wanting to kill all humans.
Set the rear vent and seal in place and tie it back. Then put the frame into the seal, then rope it in.