flip up back window ..... idea

[Luke]

i'll proberbly never do this but i had this idea i'd like to make my rear window on my cossy van open and flip up

btw mine is a 1 piece taligate not the 2 barn doors type - also i'd have thought this could be done on any mk1-5 transit with a 1 piece back door

basically from the inside only (for security) fit some catches struts and hinges, alter the seal and i'd imagine i'd have to have some new glass cut and pre drilled before its hardned

so can anyone see any pitfalls or has anyone got any tips also what cars could i get the bits from - i was thinking early rangerovers but ive never seen one close up

this sort of thing


one thing i do have is a spare mk1 tailgate so i could practice on it before doing it on mine

[madbri]

renalt scienic we had had 1 on an 02 plate or what about using the fittings of an old xr2 sunroof

[ginsambo]

Can't drill laminated or toughened glass at all...is only draw the back isn't it? For the hinges anyway, unless the gas struts are positioned or cranked to take all the weight and moment forces. But that said, there are plenty of glass pressure fixings around for hi fi stands, shower units, cabinet doors and the like! Use these and put M8 size bolt type remote controlled actuaters into slots in flanges on the inside face of the fixings - no way anyone could take the glass out then!

Guess next problem is waterproofing it, double set of window rubbers?

Right that's the limit of my genius, be interesting to see it done.

[Luke]

yeah sceinic thats 1 i hadnt thought of but a sunroof i dont think would open up far enough - if i do it i want it to open to 90deg

what i though was get a piece of glass cut - drill it etc fit it to the van then have it tempered and tinted - not sure exactly but a mate of mine did it with a mk1 cortina ¼window he had it drilled and the mirror bolted through it also i think the glass would have to be a bit bigger than standard to fit a different style of seal

just another thought this could be done to a chassis cab back window

[AlanN]

How finding a vehicle with all the necessaries and weld the whole kit and kapoodle into your door...

[ginsambo]

[quote="Luke"] what i though was get a piece of glass cut - drill it etc fit it to the van then have it tempered and tinted [quote]

That's exactly what the custom shower door glass manufacturers say to do too, ie the drilling pre tempering/toughening. If you made a mold they could probably contour to shape for you. Watched Grand Design reruns recently...yawn..
But it won't be cheap.

[madbri]

just another thought this could be done to a chassis cab back window

cant see y not my mini mayfair rear windows opeh 2inch on hinges just a thought luke if u want theres a very good glass place by me who could probly advise u on getting piece cut/drilled/temperd let me no and ill find no. yes i no it a long way away but ud get the answeres to go closer to home

[93fxdl]

would it be possible to take a standard window and fit a surround to it, then all hinges,rams and locks could be fitted to the surround. this way all braketry could be moved inwards so no need to cut the original opening and then if it dosent work out just take off all the extras and pop the window back in place
ttfn glenn

[the_big_fact_hunt]

i know its not what you are planning, but i saw this transit on ebay with a sunroof for a side window so you get an idea what it would look like, a but weird
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Transit-Camp ... 642wt_1165

[ake]

Early (up to 94) range rovers had an aluminium frame round the glass, and the lock mechanism was rubbish, a locked tailgate would open itself at motor way speeds (well mine did)

[AeroNautiCal]

I'd wondered about this for a smaller van and had a look at some of the rubber edging profiles to see if I could find one which would sit proud for the glass to compress when closed.

The idea of using the glass from the rear cab sounds great!

[matthew2riches]

We had a BMW 320d and that had a flip up back window... the dog liked it when we were stopped in the car park or down Felixstowe beach.

[Beefy]

why does it have to be glass? i was on my uncles canal boat one night (it has 4/5mm perspex type windows, about 2.5ft x 4ft)
and some sh*t decided to kick the window in at about 2am, all his foot did was bounce.
a good thickness perspex would be strong enough for the job, you can easily drill it, and it wont smash if something whent a miss.
or, you do the frame surround jobby and cut out the existing frame to suit.
as for gas struts, the ones i used on petes go-cart-van were brand new ebay specials, about 3 quid each.....
though probably cheaper for your use as the ones i used needed to be quit strong, so they were labeled "JCB"

i know a half decent welder that can fold up a frame if needed

[Beefy]

just a thought, next time pete has his coffee and creme mk2 out, take a look at the side windows,
they are locked to 3" max but thats only to stop you being robbed,
apparently they are from a fiesta sunroof, could easily mod the hinges and lock to suit...
im temped now........

[AlanN]

Youve got me thinking now... Im looking at my two rear windows