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What to do about old van windows?
#722536 April 16th 2017 7:26 am
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 443
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Large side window's leak like crazy, they don't sell the same size windows on my van anymore, smaller ones need metal work, larger ones are ridiculously priced and personally 1 would rather the van didn't have windows at all.

What to do about old van windows?

I don't see where you can get upper side body panels to fill in large windows on a 77 Dodge. And I haven't seen any at the salvage yard that were in good enough shape to bother pulling. That changed yesterday when I came across this.

[Linked Image]

It's a 2003 and not a single dent in her. I must admit that I'm a little apprehensive about doing this. I'm inexperienced and while I know the panel's should work, it didn't help that the yard was trying to talk me out of it. They thought I should just buy sheet metal and fab the piece. I wouldn't even want to try with that curve, middle flaring, and my skills. I didn't have time to pull it so the owner let me write do not crush on the side and I'm going back next Saturday.

I'll sawzall as far up and down on each side as I can & cut it down the middle to take it in two pieces. More to come (Unless I chicken out or the wife puts her foot down!)


Devil's Ways Van Club, Est 2017, Members 1

77 Dodge, "Devil's Way" Street Van

Mystery Machine / Scooby Doo Van
RIP - 77 Dodge B200 Tradesman - AKA "The Ex"

"You know what makes me really sick to my stomach? It's watching you stuff your face with those hotdogs! Nobody - I mean nobody puts ketchup on a hot dog!"
Clint Eastwood, Sudden Impact
Re: What to do about old van windows?
Bblintpicker #722539 April 16th 2017 10:01 am
Joined: Jun 2010
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I had them cut the whole side of s van off. The guy said "you want what ?" Had them cut it up & put it in a U-haul. Gave it to the collision shop to cut what they needed to repair my red van..

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: What to do about old van windows?
Bblintpicker #722540 April 16th 2017 10:25 am
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 89
journeyman
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Posts: 89
thats really neat seeing the whole side of a van laying there. would look cool on a wall.

Re: What to do about old van windows?
Bblintpicker #722542 April 16th 2017 11:52 am
Joined: Jul 2014
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Likes: 123
Uncle Rust N Dents
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Uncle Rust N Dents
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Wow!
That's crazy.


I don't know what I'd do if I needed to seal up a window hole.
I'd get after it I suppose... The hole ain't going to fix itself.

I've seen some guys cut metal and fill cargo door window holes, and they really didn't do it very well, but it came out pretty good.
I think you're only nervous because you haven't started yet. Get that metal and get to work, you'll be more comfortable once you get started.
I'm always the most apprehensive right before I start a big project, but it goes away once I get going.

Last edited by Rusty_Pancelode; April 16th 2017 12:01 pm.

[Linked Image from farm3.staticflickr.com]
Re: What to do about old van windows?
Bblintpicker #722543 April 16th 2017 12:48 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
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Posts: 18,286
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Looked like this before ....

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


You can do it ! Just get it started ... the longer you wait to start, the less you want to.


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: What to do about old van windows?
frscke1 #722544 April 16th 2017 1:05 pm
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 443
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 443
WOW FRSCKE1 THAT IS CRAZY!

OK step one - Saturday pull the panel


Devil's Ways Van Club, Est 2017, Members 1

77 Dodge, "Devil's Way" Street Van

Mystery Machine / Scooby Doo Van
RIP - 77 Dodge B200 Tradesman - AKA "The Ex"

"You know what makes me really sick to my stomach? It's watching you stuff your face with those hotdogs! Nobody - I mean nobody puts ketchup on a hot dog!"
Clint Eastwood, Sudden Impact
Re: What to do about old van windows?
Bblintpicker #722545 April 16th 2017 1:12 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
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Posts: 18,286
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I got the 3 doors & all the hard ware for $200 & the whole side of the van + a bunch of trim goodies, bumpers, light buckets, side markers, mirrors and for $400. The ins co wanted to spend $2300 on new panels & doors, I got the whole thing for $600.

[Linked Image]


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: What to do about old van windows?
Bblintpicker #722571 April 17th 2017 9:41 am
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
M
newbie
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M
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
I'm very interested in how to do this. I was always scared I would warp the panels so never tried it.

Re: What to do about old van windows?
Bblintpicker #722579 April 17th 2017 1:23 pm
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 19
old hand
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old hand
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Go for it! It's definitely do-able to weld in that large of a panel, but you will need to do a bit of research on the proper methods. I did a ton of research and still warped the hell out of mine just doing a fender patch. I feel slightly more confident that I could do it better the second time around, but it will take a ton of practice.

Also need to make sure that you have a good Mig welder available and know how to use it. (spot welds only! to keep the temp low)

Be sure to keep a bucket of cold water to cool the welds immediately after each spot

Lastly buy these to help hold the panel and keep the correct gap: Eastwood panel holders


Or my preferred way for the future would be to deliver the van and patch panel to someone who knows what they are doing and pay whatever the want because it's a pain in the backside!



[Linked Image]
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