Mini pick-up from Belgium - Europe

[angib]

Removing the rear window would be the option indeed, rather then hinging it into the inside. I'm just not sure yet about the work that involves, and if this wouldn't be out of place with the main idea of having a camper that could be put into place within the hour or so. Removing the rear window isn't a thing I'ld do 10x a year..hmmm..choices have to be made...

There is a simple logic here:
- The existing window is fixed - it cannot be made to hinge down, or open at all;
- The existing window cannot be used and must be taken out;
- Refitting the existing window in its rubber moulding is long, difficult work, so that is not how the window would be replaced when the camper is taken off;
- A new, easily-removable rear window is required - the old one will only be repaced if you sell the pick-up;
- Making the new window hinge inwards, and still be watertight, is very hard - it's easier to remove the window when the camper is fitted and use a separate sleeping platform extension.

I think that has worked that idea to death.

Andrew

[jay]

could the rear window be removeable?

[angib]

OK, guys - it's time to some group input. What this camper needs is a quickly-removable rear/cab window to replace the original. Some of it I can work out, but I'm looking for suggestions.

Here's the problem - a Mini pick-up cab minus its rear window (OK, OK, this cab is minus a lot more than that....)



The tightest part of the frame is either side of the window, where the flat area is maybe 1"/25mm wide, and this is what it looks like if you saw horizontally through the cab, looking downards:



So my plan is to have a loose rear window that's made of 3/16"-4mm polycarbonate (not glass, otherwise it'll get broken when off the vehicle). This is sandwiched between a 1/4"-6mm outside plywood frame, that also provides a seal to the flat area of the body outside the window, and a wood moulding that holds the polycarb and can be used to lock the whole window into the body opening.



So now the question is, how can this be held in place? I reckon six 'catches' or similar (three top, three bottom) will keep the seal tight - ideally they need to squeeze the seal as they're done up. But remember that the driver/passenger's heads are literally an inch from the top of this window - simple ideas like wing nuts won't do, as they will tend to embed themselves into the driver/passenger's heads over bumps or in a accident - not nice.

Any ideas? Pictures everyone can understand will be particularly useful.

Andrew

[jay]

recut a piece of automotive glass instead of the polycarbonate. hardware could be any of hundreds types. check marine & industrial supply houses. pointless to recommend someplace i know because i have no idea where you are located.

but it is the World Wide Web!

[madjack]

Andrew, how about some sort of cam lock...either like we used on our panel covering the electrical or.............
madjack

see "galley 2" in my Yahoo album (WWW button)

[Larry Messaros]

Andrew,

Why use a window at all?

How about keeping it open all the time and use some sort of a weatherstripping between the cab and the camper to keep out the weather?

I know that for larger truck/camper combos on this side of the pond use something like that as a pass through. It can be like a foam rubber or a plastic blow up tube. Just a thought.

[angib]

madjack,

Yes, a sash lock would be good. Like this:



The one trick left is to work out how to mount this without drilling holes in the cab - what with it being a priceless antique, an' all that.......

Larry,

This window is just for use when the camper is removed - before the camper is fitted, this window is removed.

Actually, as the window can't be removed when the camper has been fitted, the sequence probably goes: fit camper, swear, move camper back, remove window, move camper forwards.

Andrew

[Larry Messaros]

Larry,

This window is just for use when the camper is removed - before the camper is fitted, this window is removed.

Actually, as the window can't be removed when the camper has been fitted, the sequence probably goes: fit camper, swear, move camper back, remove window, move camper forwards.

Andrew

There I go typing before thinking again. I knew that!

[angib]

Something like this?



Andrew

[madjack]

Andrew...I don't have the ability to draw it up BUT...I was referring to the way we covered the electrical components in the lower galley cabinets with a 1/8th panel...the panel has a lip on the bottom of it that catches on back of the bottom "slider" track and at the top is a cam latch(homade) that rotates upwards to capture the back side of the upper "slider" track.......
madjack

[angib]

madjack,

I saw that but I was looking for something that would provide some compression of the seal, so that the window is weathertight. To do that with a home-made cam requires some very clever tapering of the cam and striker.

I would certainly prefer to smack the back of my head against a flat cam than the 'handle' that stick out of a sash lock! But I think some judicious filing could solve that.

Andrew

[jay]

https://reidecom.reidtool.com/xephr/list/KEYWORD_SEARCH




there's plenty of hardware that won't cause bumps and location of install should ensure a good job.

[calwes]

[url]http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=13819

You might find something like this at Austin Hardware[/url]

[calwes]

Might try something like this from Austin Hardware. I give up on trying to post a picture. If you'll cut and paste the link there is a picture.

[racing green]

The working out for the window fitting isn't in my league. Please bear in mind such windows are hard to get, the one I bought on ebay once even got broken before it was send (and his ellbow was also broken in the same accident, the seller claimed).