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Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:59 am

Any one ever buy the glass and get it shipped from Ricky Evans?
http://www.heatedwindscreen.com/acatalog/vw-t2-combi-van-clear-heated-windscreen.html#SID=520

Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:30 pm

Bump
Still want that heated front glass....

Sat Mar 16, 2019 7:15 am

I still need a windshield for my '73 at least. The '78's also recently cracked, but I'm holding onto it as long as I can.

So if anyone ever figures out how to get ahold of these in the States that would be great.

Sat Mar 16, 2019 9:05 am

vwwestyman wrote: So if anyone ever figures out how to get ahold of these in the States that would be great.
heatedwindscreen.com seems to offer shipping to the US but it's a "contact for shipping quote" deal. The windshield itself is about $220 with the current exchange rate.

Probably best to arrange a group buy so they could be shipped in a crate, though distribution on this side of the pond would still be a challenge...

I have no need, replaced the windshield 3-4 years ago and the defrost works well.

Mon Mar 18, 2019 4:57 am

tuxking wrote: Hey guys. I found a company willing to ship to the airport for about $320 plus any duty or import doc fees. Door to door was about $508 with all fees. I live in Jersey and I would just go pick mine up at the airport. Here is the contact information. Ricky Evans <[email protected]> Now I have one better. I have a photo of the windscreen switch. I have a bead on getting them but I am still waiting on the price.

I don't think I have ever seen a VW pattern switch-knob lens with this emblem.

Sat Mar 23, 2019 12:04 pm

@tuxking - the prices you posted do not include the exchange rate. The prices you were quoted are in Euro, not USD.

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Here is what I've come up with.

Purchasing 1 of these shipped to the US would cost $218 for the windshield and $661 in shipping(to your door), total $879 delivered.

The box that this single windshield is shipped in, can support 8 windshields total.

If 8 windshields were ordered, $218 x 8 = $1744, + $727 shipping(There is a small additional fee for the added weight) = $2471 for 8 pieces.

$2471 / 8 = $309 COST per windshield if they are all delivered to a single location in the US.

Now that the pieces are hypothetically in the US, they need to be stored, reboxed for individual shipment(VERY difficult/costly/risky) and reshipped to it's final destination.

The boxes necessary for this sized item do not seem to be an off the shelf size. I haven't located an adequately sized box yet, but boxes of similar shape/size cost around $75ea shipped if they are purchased 5-10 at a time.

I don't have a windshield to measure for the exact dimensions, but estimating the box to be AT THE SMALLEST 70" long x 24" tall x 8" deep (I believe it will have to be closer to 74"x30"x10") and weigh around 60lbs - A package this size would cost around $250 to ship half way across the country and $300+ to ship all the way across the country.

Not taking into account the packing material cost(which could be as simple as a $20 roll of bubble wrap to something as complicated as custom "foam in place" packaging), the chances of the windshields breaking before they get to the US, the chances of them breaking before they reach the final destination, storage until they are sold and potential DOA units, the absolute lowest WHOLESALE COST one of these would cost a dealer to ship to a customer in the US is $654. $654 being dealer cost, naturally the dealer would need a profit to make this sale worth the effort and risk, so right back up to $879 it is.

Any other ideas?

Sat Mar 23, 2019 12:38 pm

cheaper to install a Diesel heater and have the windshield cleared and a warm interior.

just my $.02

I won't say no other cars, but very few other cars have a heated windshield. including the other cars owned by buspilots..

I'd enjoy better heated air than a heated windscreen.

again just my $.02.

Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:27 pm

Damn, the costs add up quick!

I agree with Dan on liking the overall heat better, and one could set up a very nice setup with other types of heaters for similar cost.

A big part of my interest comes from thinking that perhaps new windscreens produced in the UK (or, for Just Kampers) would have less fitment issues than new windscreens that are coming to the US from China.

As I'm writing this, it seems that perhaps if Bus Depot added a crate of the windshields to a big order of JK stuff, perhaps they could sell them without shipping to customers who are willing to drive to their location. Maybe they could even contract with a local glass installer to put them in if one wanted! You could drive your Bus there with the cracked windscreen, have the installer install it, and drive away with your nice new one!

Sat Mar 23, 2019 3:58 pm

Quote: Not taking into account the packing material cost(which could be as simple as a $20 roll of bubble wrap to something as complicated as custom "foam in place" packaging), the chances of the windshields breaking before they get to the US, the chances of them breaking before they reach the final destination, storage until they are sold and potential DOA units, the absolute lowest WHOLESALE COST one of these would cost a dealer to ship to a customer in the US is $654. $654 being dealer cost, naturally the dealer would need a profit to make this sale worth the effort and risk, so right back up to $879 it is.
And that is pretty much what I said two years ago in this thread. $654 to $879 (plus import duty and brokerage fees, you didn't consider those) is absolute best-case, easily rising to way past $1000 if one or two get broken somewhere along the way (which is very possible). Plus the risk of breaking one upon installation (not hard to do on a Bus windshield and then you're out $1000) or one being defective (no affordable way to ship it back to the UK for a refund so you're still out $1000). It is not possible to make it more affordable unless someone was importing hundreds at a time, and even then it would be extremely expensive just to ship them out individually within the States without risking breakage. This is a non-starter. If it was economically viable to do this at a cost anyone would pay, frankly I'd already be doing it. File this under "neat things European Bus owners get that we can't have."

Wed Apr 03, 2019 4:31 pm

Maybe a modern car is the answer
https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-relea...wagen-1213

Vintage Porsche switch bezel 911.613.232.02

Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:50 am

Here is the Porsche switch bezel mounted in a bus dash knob. A little over sized but it does fit.
This was just a standard light switch knob with no light behind it.

Tue Apr 09, 2019 12:53 pm

I would like one of these winshields myself.

I dont see why we cant just get a group purchase together and just bloody risk the shipping. It seems many of the guys on here who want one are in my nieghborhood so if they get delievered to Portland, OR it could work out.

Just saying, I’m in and willing to make a risk frankly.

Tue Apr 09, 2019 2:50 pm

merlinsbus wrote: I would like one of these winshields myself.

I dont see why we cant just get a group purchase together and just bloody risk the shipping. It seems many of the guys on here who want one are in my nieghborhood so if they get delievered to Portland, OR it could work out.

Just saying, I’m in and willing to make a risk frankly.

Cool, sounds like you are willing to head up the project. Let us know when signups begin. 8)

Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:54 pm

I would love to get these installed in my buses, I already have the switch!

https://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-1173164085...quantity=1

Seriously though I would be interested in a group buy on these.
Or how about getting a US windshield manufacturer to make them?

Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:48 pm

Hey, I love me some cool accessories. But I just can't see myself having a heated windscreen :?

But then again my stock heater works and I have an Eberspacher. :P

A heated windscreen does not do much good when you are parked. But a gas heater makes a world of difference when you are driving. :wink: As mentioned already. Way cheaper and way more versatile.

Sun Feb 16, 2020 6:04 pm

:arrow: My newer vehicles have the heated windshield option. After several Michigan winters, a heated windshield is a must have item. Melting of ice or snow is quickly completed, without having to scrape built up ice or having to wait on hot air. Moisture on the windshield quickly evaporates, making one feel warmer. Heated windshields may also become more common with all electric vehicles.

:idea: As VW T2 (Bay Window) heated windshields are not available or made in the U.S., we may take our Kombi Westfalia on a camping tour back to Europe. A heated windshield could be fitted prior to my return to the States. An extra windshield or two could be stored in the back for the return trip. A potential problem is the electrical power available in an older KOMBI.

:bay_white: The KOMBI, purchased new in 1972, was used for a ten month camping tour around Europe and returned with us on the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. We traveled across the U.S., from New York City, New York to Coronado, California. From Italy to Sweden and sea level to mountain passes in the Alps and Rocky Mountains, the Windshield defrosting was poor when the T2 was new, even with the Eberspacher VW Gas Heater (BN4) ON-full hot! :D

RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 - KOMBI Transporter 8)

Note: KOMBI has Fresh Air Fans and original :vw: overhead air conditioner.

Sun Feb 16, 2020 6:53 pm

modern cars use a combination of heat to warm and AC to dry the air so the windshields defrost fast. Ice on a windshield is a different problem. Buses are high on fogging because they rely on so much wet air in rain and fog coming in thru the heater system. I think this area is just something one lives with when they drive a 50 year old technology.

Sun Feb 16, 2020 9:32 pm

SGKent wrote: modern cars use a combination of heat to warm and AC to dry the air so the windshields defrost fast. Ice on a windshield is a different problem. Buses are high on fogging because they rely on so much wet air in rain and fog coming in thru the heater system. I think this area is just something one lives with when they drive a 50 year old technology.

I have to say… "Ambulence fans" are great in hot weather at stoplights, but I REALLY appreciate the fans' ability to defrost the windscreen faster with a humid interior. Anyone who changes out of their wetsuit in their van should have a set.

Robbie

Sun Feb 16, 2020 9:53 pm

asiab3 wrote: SGKent wrote: modern cars use a combination of heat to warm and AC to dry the air so the windshields defrost fast. Ice on a windshield is a different problem. Buses are high on fogging because they rely on so much wet air in rain and fog coming in thru the heater system. I think this area is just something one lives with when they drive a 50 year old technology.

I have to say… "Ambulance fans" are great in hot weather at stoplights, but I REALLY appreciate the fans' ability to defrost the windscreen faster with a humid interior. Anyone who changes out of their wetsuit in their van should have a set.

Robbie

I'm sure that would help, or a dash fan even.

Mon Feb 17, 2020 2:16 am

Quote: Anyone who changes out of their wetsuit in their van should have a set.

Bus.