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flyindutchman
Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2012
Posts: 112
Location: Vancouver,WA.
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 Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:16 pm Post subject: Has anybody eliminated the rear window before?? |
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This post has as much to do with making up my mind with an idea I've had for awhile as it does with getting your input on the subject. What I want to do is remove the glass and weld in steel, add insulation then some kind of interior panel (like ABS). (I assume somebody has, but I haven't found any info on it yet.) The reason is, for me the window is useless and only serves to add solar gain in hot climates. I primarily keep the curtains drawn all the time and would rather use a tilt out type, dark tinted, dual pane window with a bug screen. I know it might sound crazy to replace a window with a window but the existing Vanagon window offers no ventilation and occasionally accumulates condensation at night. Sure I could prop the back door out but I'd rather have a window to ventilate, if it weren't for a rear mounted tire carrier. The smaller, dark tinted window would even accomplish what I need for privacy.
this LT Syncro is what I'm thinking it would look like with out the window.
and this is the type of window I was thinking of using.
what's your ideas on this? Any pictures floating around out there?
BTW, I have a 85' weekender westy 2wd.  |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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Lay a flat bar(like a 2' or 3' level)on the back window vertically and horizontally. The window isn't flat, do you have the tooling to roll the patch metal like that? I have seen vans where the window wasn't installed from the factory, maybe a replacement like that would be easier.
The replacement window will be able to seal correctly to a radiused surface?
I am interested in your project. Please post pix of your progress if you go down that road. |
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Syncrozilla
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Joined: September 11, 2004
Posts: 772
Location: Santa Barbara
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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The factory made a rear hatch without glass. I'm sure there's an M-code for the option. Finding the hatch would be pretty tough though if you wanted it to be OG.
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Please do not message me on TheSamba. Use my email, [email protected] |
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Tobias Duncan
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 1391
Location: Taos NM
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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| syncrodoka wrote: |
Lay a flat bar(like a 2' or 3' level)on the back window vertically and horizontally. The window isn't flat, do you have the tooling to roll the patch metal like that? I have seen vans where the window wasn't installed from the factory, maybe a replacement like that would be easier.
The replacement window will be able to seal correctly to a radiused surface?
I am interested in your project. Please post pix of your progress if you go down that road. |
It should just bend right into place right? Tack weld from the center out pushing as you go.
Am I missing something? |
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ragnarhairybreeks
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Joined: October 26, 2009
Posts: 1890
Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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Have a look at 3M Dibond for the window replacement. It is a laminate, polyethylene core, aluminum faces. A little spendy, but I think there are cheaper clones.
I think some German vanagon enthusiasts have used the stuff to replace drivers side rear window.
Alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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pedrokrusher
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Joined: July 11, 2011
Posts: 654
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2715
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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There is also this approach
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Tobias Duncan wrote: |
It should just bend right into place right? Tack weld from the center out pushing as you go.
Am I missing something? |
That would work well if the radius went horizontally or vertically but the rear window has a radius in both directions. You might be able to cheat out one radius but the reveal against the window edge wouldn't be symmetrical across the edge.
Take a piece of paper and curve it vertically then horizontally and finally both and the issue becomes evident.
It can be done but you have to know how to do it.
Maybe only the glass itself is radiused like that and once it is removed the project gets easier. |
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pedrokrusher
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Joined: July 11, 2011
Posts: 654
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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dkoesyncro
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Joined: December 10, 2006
Posts: 983
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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Hans,
I love that syncro you posted! Did you notice that post was your 1234 time?
I thought about doing this too, but first I got to get it on the road under its own power. |
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goffoz
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Joined: May 09, 2007
Posts: 1486
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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I love this pic ...and I really like that van. nice 
2wd and syncro fillers  plus 16" steelies mmm?
are those "deaths heads/alien heads" on the hatch or fold down steps
Last edited by goffoz on Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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goffoz
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Joined: May 09, 2007
Posts: 1486
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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There is also the option of taking the whole metal frame from another van and welding it in..then installing glass latches etc from the donor.
I have often looked at the Nissan quest.common and cheap
The rear window opens,has its own struts the wiper is multi speed.
...and the dimensionsare smallerwill fit inside the vanagon hole
...curve is so close, slightly more rounded...tempting
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hans j
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Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2715
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Sort of similar discussion I started here, http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7072891, maybe it will give you some ideas?
| dillonkoester wrote: |
Hans,
I love that syncro you posted! Did you notice that post was your 1234 time?
I thought about doing this too, but first I got to get it on the road under its own power. |
And now I just totally ruined it 
I like that van too, that's how I remembered where to find the picture!
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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tam_shops
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Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1530
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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Oooohhh, that would be nice. Why didn't they do that in the first place!? Can you imagine a cool breeze in the summer coming through that window, and bug free w/ the screen on?
tam
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1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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pigryder
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2012
Posts: 162
Location: south central PA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 5:27 am Post subject: |
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| hans j wrote: |
There is also this approach
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hard to tell but looks like those panels are held in with seals…. interesting….
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1982 Westfalia L Diesel "Stink"
1982 Vanagon GL Diesel "Charlie"
1983 Rabbit GTI a 20 year love affair
1988 Cabriolet diesel |
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 5:56 am Post subject: |
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Yepper, easiest way to install a solid (panel) is by using the glass as a template and using the seals to hold it in.. not the same 100% security of a panel van but it is reversible. you'll want to double around the edge to match the thickness of the glass that the seal expects.
I do have plans to add a sliding/opening window similiar to the tan one at some point soon.
| pigryder wrote: |
| hard to tell but looks like those panels are held in with seals…. interesting…. |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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sanchius 
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1456
Location: IN
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:15 am Post subject: |
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Making an opening rear hatch window is worthy of it's own thread, so I've started one so people can finding via a thread title search in the future.
I did a quick topic title search on "rear window" and didn't see anything on this subject.
| goffoz wrote: |
There is also the option of taking the whole metal frame from another van and welding it in..then installing glass latches etc from the donor.
I have often looked at the Nissan quest.common and cheap
The rear window opens,has its own struts the wiper is multi speed.
...and the dimensionsare smallerwill fit inside the vanagon hole
...curve is so close, slightly more rounded...tempting
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uncommonvw
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2004
Posts: 230
Location: Jordan, ON Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:49 am Post subject: |
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Here is an idea.
What if you have a spare rear window and lay fibreglass over top of it?
You would need to put something on the glass so the fibreglass doesn't stick to it. Once you have one layer formed, remove it and lay some additional cloth on the inside and/or sandwich some thin, flexible insulation in between. Make it the same thickness as the glass and re-use the seal or make it the same size as the outside edge of the seal and use urethane to seal it up. |
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syncropatrick
Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2009
Posts: 90
Location: UK, southwest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:59 am Post subject: |
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| If you see a Dehler being broken, snag the rear plastic window - it fits inside the van, inserts between the existing glass window and the seal, then gummy black sealant and small metal clips. It'll give double glazing benefits plus its mildly tinted. |
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rmcd
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Joined: October 29, 2010
Posts: 1349
Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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