TheSamba.com :: View topic - Anyone ever fabricate rear side windows that open?

Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:36 pm

With that type of window you'd want to be real sure that no one's arm or anything else is sticking out before opening the slider.

Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:16 pm

I received a very fast response:

"To my knowledge, we've never built a replacement window for a Vanagon.
Replacement options would be predicated on the rough opening corner radii
dimensions and requirements for installation i.e. lock rubber gasket, inside
clamp ring, ect.

Peninsula Glass
Vancouver, WA"

Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:36 pm

If someone wants to get a factory VW rear slider driver's side window like the one I had for sale for 7 months, I may have access to one available for sale. The price would also be high at $450. Serious inquiries only by PM.

Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:03 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1045439

Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:15 pm

rockfish- this thread is about the rear window sliders nearest the rear hatch, not the middle window sliders that we all have. Thanks

Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:57 pm

Have you checked out www.griffco.ca/interest/ and look for the Westfalia link?

I also asked at a fabricator of RV windows - the answer was that they couldn't bend the tight radius needed for the VW openings. Hence the mod and kit that I came up with.

Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:19 pm

So this is life with young kids......time has gotten away from me. Originally started in 2007, two alterations later and four years, I think I finally got the ultimate windows!!! Rear sliders with screens. I can't wait till the first night's sleep with ventillation on the lower bed.
Since the window film tint starting to peel, and the center sliders need new felt seals, I redid them at the same time. I had new tinted glass cut and tempered for all sliders, had the frames stripped and anodized black.
I originally wanted to do the black window seals but found the quality was not as good as my originals, so I installed new chrome mouldings in the original window seals, I really like the look.
If anyone is interested in a SET, I'm considering offering them on an exchange basis. I will do a classified with deatails shortly.

Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:20 pm

Definitely interested in a set of back sliders. Would your method work with the 87-91 style vented back glass?

Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:41 pm

Check out the new offering from Go Westy, indicates its for the left side, I'd prefer the rear slider for the right side.
Not cheap.
http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23453&category_id=253&category_parent_id=

Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:00 pm

I would prefer the factory style latch that Wellington uses on his version over the SA middle of the glass style that GW is selling.
Taylor trying to be a catalog model :lol: He does do the look into the distance squinting pose quite well though.

Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:01 pm

I like the stock aperance of your windows and do not care about keeping the vents at the back of the window i fel it is a good place for leaks.

Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:14 pm

joetiger wrote: Thread Resurrection...

I was reading the Jalousie Window thread (having seen Winston's personally, they are quite impressive) I started thinking again about rear sliding windows. Has anybody tried RV replacement windows? I started looking around and saw this website;
I figured it was a dead end until I saw the shape of the example window on their order worksheet:

http://www.motionwindows.com/order-summary-worksheet.pdf

Their 900 series actually looks quite similar to the factory sliders... and it's a rubber gasket-style frame, so it'll install identically to a factory window. If they can do the bend radius we need, these should be an easy solution.

http://www.motionwindows.com/prod900.php

All one has to do is make some precise measurements of the window opening on the van, and fill out the order form with your preferences. If anyone has the rear windows out, and could post the measurements listed on the order form, we could get a definite answer and price estimate. Hardest part is gauging the radius of the corners.

Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:23 pm

I will eventually get windstar popouts annealed and cut to size and just use the hardware and seals on all four-- done. modern curved glass that flushes out to the skin.

Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:58 am

Following the guide from Spitsnrovers I made my rear slider this past week.
spitsnrovers wrote: There is another option, as shown here http://www.griffco.ca/interest/

Success, and Canine approved..
maybe now Scout won’t get banged up trying to put her head out the sliding door slider window.
I made this to be installed backwards to allow the rearmost section to slide, trying to keep Scout to the rear cushion while travelling.
If being made for rear passenger comfort, then make the window to slide in the front half..
*Note the new 3seams on the leading edge where OE has just the middle.
The cuts & shortening MUST be done on the fixed piece to securely retain the frame & glass in the groove.
*Note next time I’ll move the new upper&lower seam a little more central to the fixed window.

Hardboard underlay spacer to fit into Glass groove in Rubber window seal

Thin Stainless steel sheet overlay to protect the MDF hardboard backer, left straight edge along the frame,
This does allow a little of the lower curve to show, but the Glass rubber will cover that.

Inside view of the MDf hardboard backer in installed window

Note that none of the MDf is visible, but I did seal the SS edge with silicone to prevent seepage.

I found these paint can openers VERY handy for removing & installing the new frame,
They allowed me to slip it in between the frame and the lip and pull the rubber seal flap a little (1/8in) at a time..
Was slow progress but any progress leads to success.
I would slip in with the hook away from rubber, then twist 180* and use hook to pry/pull small lip of rubber over body frame lip..

Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:33 am

^^^ that looks great, good idea to open in the rear for the dog also

Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:01 am

Now that's a happy dog. Great job!

Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:46 am

I should add note that I already had a fixed rear piece of solid glass to use as a guide & template.
if you don't have a spare, then you'll need to remove your rear glass in order to match up the outer profile to make your filler piece.
my pieces went in tight, so I could recommend to make it slightly smaller than the OEM glass. say 1/8" or so to allow easier install of the rubber seal.. the window is held in afterall by the whole perimiter of the seal so even if it's a little loose, it'll set in and seal fine.

to make a rear portion slider like mine above
I used the Drivers side slider section from a Passanger van (50/50 window)
and a Drivers side fixed section from a Westfalia (30/70 window)

If you were going to make a rear slider window with the front half that opens, you would want the donating parts from the Passanger side.
*unless you were also making one of these for the driver's rear corner.

this did cause some confusion to my at times befuddled mind. but in the end It worked out.

If you're in doubt of ability to make a filler piece, then the $70 kit offered by spitsnrovers might not be a bad deal.
http://www.griffco.ca/interest/vw/slider.htm

Hmm, looks like his just shortens a single stock Passanger van 50/50 middle window. allowing more overlap and less window opening than the mix&match of 2 donor windows (1westy/1pass van) but I had already pulled my Driverside middle window to install the Bay Jalousie window for more ventillation & rain protection.

Quote:

But here is my version.
The route I chose was to shorten a standard Vanagon sliding-door slider-window, and keep the corners at the original radii. This would eliminate the need to rebend the anodized aluminum channel to fit the two non-square corners at the rear of the window, and having to splice a piece of channel into the back end to account for the longer diagonal.

In this version a black plastic filler was made to replace the vent unit that was originally there.

A modification kit consisting of the machined black plastic filler piece, new fuzzy weather strip and 10 page instructions with measurements and photos is available for $70. Contact me by emailing Mail Us. Payment can be made by PayPal

*edit, Hmm looking at each closer the allowable window opening is the same if you use Westy &Pass glass or just shorten the Pass frame with both Pass window pieces. the only differance is there is more of an overlap, the amount of opening is determined by when the sliding portion (Pass slider glass) hits the rubber bumper in the shortened frame. which is the same in both versions.. so no need to use a Westy short piece other than asthetics or personal choice.

these images are of just a modified pass van slider. showing opening & overlapp.
Open

Closed

mine closed

Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:43 pm

$650 plus shipping, but it is NOS :shock:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&..._745wt_667

Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:01 pm

syncrodoka wrote: $650 plus shipping, but it is NOS :shock:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&..._745wt_667

But, and correct me if I am wrong, is that not from a later SA build? Which means the window sizes are larger than out North American versions? Still out of my price range one way or another.

LP

Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:12 pm

That is for a regular vanagon by the location of the slider latch on the bottom like we are all used to.
The SA sliding windows have a latch in the center of the sliding window and they look different.

Too rich for my blood too.