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One Piece window kit ?

Tiko433

Contributor
I know just enough to be dangerous
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
1,898
Loc.
Bolivia, North Carolina
For the guys who have done these kits I have a few questions...
how do you like them?
how is the kit holding up ?

Are they lighter them a stock window system? You are loosing the wing ..
I ask because I’m installing Bronco Design Fiberglass doors. I would like to put glass in them, which they say I can put glass in. While installing the doors , I think the lighter I can make them the better off I will be.

It’s always nice to have a kit but are these parts I can source myself?
Is the glass custom cut or is it out of a known vehicle?
 

Skinnyr1

Jr. Member
Joined
May 25, 2019
Messages
115
I haven't put one in a EB, but a did put one in a older VW bug. I would never do it again. The seals and wipers tend to be junk, and the window alignment is just never as good as stock. They are custom glass.

I'd go back to wings in that VW if I still had the parts.
 

1970 Palmer

Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2020
Messages
454
I haven't put one in a EB, but a did put one in a older VW bug. I would never do it again. The seals and wipers tend to be junk, and the window alignment is just never as good as stock. They are custom glass.

I'd go back to wings in that VW if I still had the parts.

Exactly the same ACVW experience. Keep in mind that the EB door has the inner and outer panels connected (welded) together at the vent window, it would need to be cut out just like doing one piece windows in a VW. It would not be a easy job to retro fit back to normal vent windows when you change your mind. Nice EB doors have gotten very pricy, shame to cut them up.
 

SteveL

Huge chevy guy
Joined
Jun 24, 2001
Messages
11,969
Loc.
Hawthorne ca
Check out mikesmetalworks.com . You can buy individual pieces of the kit thru him. I was thinking of going one piece and modifying it to have removable frames since I'm usually topless.
 

kylakekevin

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 11, 2017
Messages
1,294
Exactly the same ACVW experience. Keep in mind that the EB door has the inner and outer panels connected (welded) together at the vent window, it would need to be cut out just like doing one piece windows in a VW. It would not be a easy job to retro fit back to normal vent windows when you change your mind. Nice EB doors have gotten very pricy, shame to cut them up.

So if the OP was going to use fiberglass doors from say Bronco design would you do it then?
 

Jamie Chriss

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
577
I have mine half done, seems very simple. My Bronco mentor has had his for a few years and really like it. I will post pics in a few weeks.
 

Jebus

Full Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2011
Messages
303
Loc.
Longview, WA
I have mine finished. I love 'em. I installed this kit - mikesmetalworks.com - I suppose if you are looking at keeping original or looking to just sell as original, they are not for you. Cutting the tab across the door halves is not an issue really because the triangle piece at the front track kinda keeps the door tight. My doors close like brand new and zero rattles while driving. I used dynamat on both inside the skin and the door panel. Adds weight to the door and deadens the tin sound when closing. I also moved my mirrors all the way forward.

I would think that if fiberglass doors accept the original window/wing window mechanisms, you could put them in...
 
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Tiko433

Tiko433

Contributor
I know just enough to be dangerous
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
1,898
Loc.
Bolivia, North Carolina
Thanks guys ... so my plan is to set up my fiberglass doors like original since I have a full set of doors with all the hardware. My wing vents are kinda beat and I have a full cage so I can’t open them. I started thinking about a one piece kit. I may continue with installing what I have. So far I have one door mounted. I have the door handle and latch working better then my other door . I’m also installing lift off hinges too. That’s a challenge but I have it perfect I can lift the door off easily. I reinforced the hinges with a front support and a back support sheet metal plate
 

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aisawalsh

Contributor
Jr. Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2014
Messages
94
Loc.
Sylvan Lakre, Alberta, Canada
I purchased the one piece window kit from WildHorse 4X4 along with bolt-in window frames. I haven’t installed the kit yet but will be soon as I just hung the newly painted doors yesterday
 

markw

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 10, 2009
Messages
2,066
This is my experience: Once done, they work well.
Problems: Poor quality control. Had spot welds break and had to reweld. The glass in my kit was cut and unfinished on the top. Looked like hell. Had them sanded and polished which I was told may destroy them as the glass is already tempered. The glass should be cut, sanded/polished then tempered.
Do not tint your glass before installing. You will tear it up.
Now would I do it again? Maybe. There's always a learning curve and mine was steep with ruts. QC would have to be a lot better to spend that kind of money again.
 

JeffG

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
513
Loc.
San Antonio, TX
Exactly the same ACVW experience. Keep in mind that the EB door has the inner and outer panels connected (welded) together at the vent window, it would need to be cut out just like doing one piece windows in a VW. It would not be a easy job to retro fit back to normal vent windows when you change your mind. Nice EB doors have gotten very pricy, shame to cut them up.


1970 Palmer - I'm not sure I follow you. I was able to remove the entire vent window by removing a few screws and un-bolting the window tracks down inside the door to slide the window back.

I then tilted the vent window back at the top and the whole piece came out. I have them rebuilt with new rubber and pivots. I haven't tried re-installing them back in the door, but I hope I didn't mess anything up.
 

1970 Palmer

Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2020
Messages
454
Nevermind! I went out and looked at the door and see what you are referring to.

Sorry I did not get back to your sooner. It's where the inner and outer door panels are spot welded together just under the removeable vent window assembly. On a steel door installation, that area would need to be removed for one piece windows.

Building a EB should be a each persons individual ideas.

I wonder if we had a survey on what percentage of the High End $100K+ Bronco's being built today, have had one piece windows installed? My guess is that it's a low percentage.
 
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Tiko433

Tiko433

Contributor
I know just enough to be dangerous
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
1,898
Loc.
Bolivia, North Carolina
Thanks for all the feed back guys. Actually my doors with the stock windows are progressing nicely. I using new window frames, the ones that bolt into the door. Every thing is working very good. Even with the glass and hardware installed I would say the doors are easily less then half the weight of the originals The big down side to these fiberglass doors .... dam they make me itchy after cutting on them.
 
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