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Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:20 pm

What are all you sand-rail guys using for windshields and how are you attaching them?

It needs to be removable because I want to take it out for inspection (in Texas if you have a windshield you have to have wipers) I don't want to mess with wipers.

This is what Im working with

Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:47 am

On my old rail I had a windshield custom made at a local auto glass place. I even ordered slightly tinted glass, which totally ROCKED. But that rail had a better frame setup for a glass windshield.

My new rail is a little bit smaller and there's less room for the windshield and the steering rack and everything else without welding in a new cross brace (and I don't yet own a welder). So with this one I'm just using 1/4'' lexan screwed to the frame. If there's any problems later with the lexan like deep scraches I can just unscrew the old piece and use that as a template for the new one and screw the new one in.

For easy removement and quickness and expense, I'd go with lexan. You can but it in sheets and cut it to fit whatever you need. When you want to take it out it's a 5 minute job.

Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:34 pm

How do you cut lexan, jig saw?
Do you have any pics?

Thanks

Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:12 pm

I've read many places say to score it and it'll break clean when you bend it back, but I've never tried that. I use a jig saw and then sand the edges to the contour I want.

Here's an old pic of my rail, not a close up but all I've got right now:

Across the bottom I ran a piece of 1/8'' thick X 3/4'' wide steel for added bracing. It still flexes a little on the bottom when you run over train tracks or bumps. If I were to do it again I'd use something in more of a "T" shape so flex would be no issue at all.

Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:23 pm

I used scratch resistant Lexan and Dzues tabs welded to the window frame. You could just as easy weld them to the tubing. The Lexan does attract dust but not that bad.

Only takes 2 minute to change out to 2 smaller peices.

Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:57 am

Woah you've got a dropped baja! Does that thing see much offroad time? Does it have airbags?

Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:38 am

gilbequick wrote: Woah you've got a dropped baja! Does that thing see much offroad time? Does it have airbags?

Looks like the shocks are pulled out of it in the pic.. for storage?

As far as windshields go, where we ride i used a windshield and it turned out bad for me so I took it off. We have real dusty dirt roads, and go thru mud not clean dune type sand. I was using Lexan and it seems too build up dust faster than glass. It gets all over the windshield and its hard to see out of, I just stick with goggles, you can wipe them off when your driving. But if your needing one, I like the dzues tab idea, wish I had thought of that for my old rail.

Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:12 am

springs were pulled to check full bump after setting up the shocks.

Just about the only time I use the winshield is on the street, or in the winter.

Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:22 am

Can you use plexiglass from Home Depot for windhield, or is that what you mean by lexan? Thinking of bolting plexiglass to the tabs on this rail below. Jigsaw seem the best way to cut it?

Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:06 am

If you want to go with safety glass, many places can cut based on a template. I'm doing it with the corners radiused, basically a rect shaped hoop of 3/4" chromo with a 1/2" flatstock welded inside, the rubber gasket locates off the flatstock. My buddy just had it done and they charged him $85.00 with the gasket. It turns out very similar to the glass in construction equipment and here, the safety glass emblem is reqd for the road.

Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:14 am

Here is the windshield on my buggy.

It is safety glass and is urethaned (approved glass shop material) in place, resting on a 1/2" flange I welded around the middle of the frame. Stock 72 beetle wipers are used with both wiper arms being left side and a 13" blade on the left.

This setup is fully approved for street use here in BC Canada where a windshield made of approved safety glass and wipers are required.

You need to check with your State motor vehicle regulations however to see what is acceptable. Good luck.

Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:19 pm

Thanks Chris, I've seen your rail build and its phenomenal..I will have to follow it and see how you do your windshield. It sounds like a good idea with the safety glass. Thx Pittwagen but I am not going for street use so I won't have to worry about DMV regs or need for wipers, fenders, signals, etc.

Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:27 pm

http://www.bugsandbuggies.com/Parts.asp?CN=544&SN=104&GN=7