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To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
#695521 September 10th 2015 3:31 pm
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 19
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Sep 2013
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So I'm working on the list of things I want to do/add to my 85 G20 over the winter while I'm redoing the body.. One thing I had always kind of thought I wanted was windowless side barn doors. I liked them for looks mostly and for symmetry sake. But the more I drive the van, the more it seems like I use the side door windows to check blind spots and for backing/turning. (Obviously I will need to keep rear windows) so I have a few questions for those of you with experience..

-Do windowless side doors impede visibility significantly? This van will get driven a lot and alot of that time will have a car trailer in tow. Is it worth giving up the visibility?

-Passengers.. Never thought about it, but recently had a child. My wife brought it to my attention that maybe, just maybe the child might want to see outside of the van walls. I think if I add porthole windows in the rear where I plan to put a bench that flips down into a bed, that will solve most of it. Looking for input.. Is a windowless van horrible for anyone riding in the back?

All of this is just information gathering and daydreaming at this point. Looking for advice from folks that have been there.

Thanks.


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Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
tuner4life #695526 September 10th 2015 4:32 pm
Joined: Aug 2001
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Likes: 37
Maniac
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Yes, windowless side doors impact visibility, mostly in changing lanes, pulling out into traffic, and backing up. I don't mind no windows in the rear doors, but I have to have windows in the side doors.

I know my passengers like the windows, which is one reason why we have a conversion van with literally the biggest conversion van windows ever made (save for those bizarre vans made in the late 70s and early 80s where the entire side of the van was replaced with plexiglass).

A windowless van would be pretty stuffy and claustrophobic for anyone behind the front two seats.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
tuner4life #695554 September 10th 2015 10:51 pm
Joined: May 2006
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pooh-bah
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pooh-bah
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I have no windows on the side doors and it does make things a little tougher. Have to really depend on the side mirror. Backing out of somewhere I am blind. I make sure when I park I can pull straight out.

Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
tuner4life #695556 September 10th 2015 11:08 pm
Joined: Apr 2015
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A
amx Offline
journeyman
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journeyman
A
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No windows on the side doors or rear doors of my '73 Dodge and love it.

Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
tuner4life #695559 September 10th 2015 11:29 pm
Joined: Sep 2005
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carpal tunnel
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carpal tunnel
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Drove work vans in big city traffic for many, many years. Never really needed side or rear windows as long as I had good mirrors. The headache rack blocked the view anyway.
I trust good mirrors more and taking eyes off the road to try and see behind you is dangerous in ATL. I've never understood vanners who like those tiny "peek-a-boo" mirrors just for looks. Must not drive much.
Also had sliding side doors for many years. They were handy in parking spots or loading docks but ate up interior room and were a PITA. I preferred barn doors on my personal vans.
I have side windows now on the GMC but they're covered and the rears have louvers.
The Chevy is a conversion van and has enough glass to be a fishbowl. laugh
Passengers need the windows.
My2%

Last edited by CatFish; September 10th 2015 11:37 pm. Reason: kant spel
Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
tuner4life #695565 September 11th 2015 3:13 am
Joined: Oct 2002
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pooh-bah
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pooh-bah
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I use mirrors, a rare type of driving these days as it seems todays drivers use the force, they fail at it, I have a wheelchair lift at my side door, so mirror is a necessity. I have large mirrors and put a nice blind spot mirror on each one, can see all around my van.

Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
tuner4life #695566 September 11th 2015 3:30 am
Joined: Aug 2001
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Maniac
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I also have a blind spot mirror on each of my regular rear view mirrors. They are on the outside bottom corner of each mirror. I hate driving vehicles without them now.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
Reed #695582 September 11th 2015 11:40 am
Joined: Jul 2005
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veteran
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veteran
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Originally Posted by Reed
I also have a blind spot mirror on each of my regular rear view mirrors. They are on the outside bottom corner of each mirror. I hate driving vehicles without them now.


aint that the truth.

Re: To get windowless barn doors, or to not get windowless barn doors...
cjhardcore #695602 September 11th 2015 6:31 pm
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 233
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H
enthusiast
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enthusiast
H
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My van has side windows with pull down blinds. I dont like to drive it with the blinds down. If you are at a stop sign coming onto a road that is maybe a 45 degree angle, it is not possible to use rear windows or mirrors. I live in the country and experience tbese types of intersections a lot. Maybe in city where roads are usually perpendicular this would not be an issue. I like the look of windowless vans but i would not have one that way for a daily driver.



1992 Chevy G20, 110" wheelbase, Mark III conversion, L31/4L80e swap, Express wiring harness.
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