Westy side windows

[alaskadan]

Im working on an 84 westy right now for someone and noticed that the side sliders dont have even sized glass in them. The sliding portion represents 2/3 of the opening. Thus it will only open 1/3 of the way. As opposed to my 87s which have even sized glass allowing for it to open further. Safety feature? Just curious.

[MarkWard]

Hello Dan, I believe the passenger vans had a larger opening section compared to the campers. The camper windows also had a provision for a screen. mark
_________________
☮️

[SCM]

I think Mark is right. The windows on my 91 Westy only open 1/3 of the way.

It came with nylon screens in plastic frames which were sort of broken and always fell out. I replaced them with the metal screen/frame variety from GoWesty and while they work and look much better they do whistle if the windows are open while driving.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[ZsZ]

I think the mai reason for the 3/4 windows is that the lock handle is at the rear side, so it is easier to reach from the back seat in Westfalias and Weekenders. While passenger vans had the half-half
_________________
Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[syncrodoka]

Your vans are passenger vans(or a non factory camper) and the other one is a westy- right?
With the latch in the front like the passenger vans there is no room for the plastic screen to attach. With the camper sliders you give up some of the opening but gain the screen which is more useful if you intend on cooking in the vehicle like you would in a westy.

[?Waldo?]

The stock Westy windows are a bit of a silly design. They were designed with the 1/3-2/3 layout in order to accommodate the screens which are installed on the inside and without the latch being moved rearward, the latch would hit the screen. IMO, they should have kept the passenger van 1/2-1/2 design and just moved the latch to the very back of the sliding glass or kept the window the same as the passenger van and installed the screen on the exterior like the ASI campers which allows much better ventilation.

[alaskadan]

I see, thanks for the info. Good to know more about the various details of different models. Now a good winter project is going to be making outside screens for my pass van sliders.

[dobryan]

[alaskadan]

Yes i have thought about louvred. In fact im looking at a bay window parts van for a riviera suby conversion coming up. There are two louvred windows in it i have dibs on. Agree on good ventilation. Not as dog friendly for sticking her head out of.

[tlbranth]

I put the jalousie windows in my '72 bus and loved them. Here's a question I've seen no answer to: when you park your bus and it's hot outside so you want to leave your side windows and top vent open, how do you prevent someone sticking their thieving hand through the screen and unlocking the slider or passenger door?
_________________
Terry

1991 Westfailure. 2004 Forester 2.5 engine. 4speed Standard transmission.

[danfromsyr]

some have made the answer to this by installing the sliding windows backwards. then the opening isn't near the unlock knobs.
certainly a short sighted moment in VW design.

[bluebus86]

if someone wants in the van, regardless of window type, they will get in, a wack with a rock makes quick work of the glass.

a slim jim tool makes quick work of the door lock, if the crook is concerend about the glass.
a crow bar on the wing windows pops them with little effort.

lots of ways to skin this cat if the crook is even slightly motivated to break in.
but I agree, that the sliding window lock near the front does make it easier to get in. freaks me out someone could near silently slide that open while I sleep in my van.,of course if I awaken, he will be looking at the bussiness end of a 9 mm.
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022