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Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 07 May 2014, 13:55
by CJH
Having cleaned up my driver's side sliding window and got it sliding again, I'm keen to put one in the sliding door. My camper is a panel van conversion. The sliding window in the driver's side seems to be exactly the same size as the glass in the sliding door, so in theory it should be doable if I can get a matching sliding window.
I'm well aware of the reason that sliding windows weren't generally fitted on the sliding door side, but it seems to me that if I fitted the window upside down, so that the sliding section was at the front end of the window, just behind the B pillar, then it would be fairly difficult to get a body part trapped between the sliding door and the C pillar. In fact I think there's even a small gap when the door is fully open, so small limbs wouldn't get trapped at all.
Am I overlooking anything? Is it sensible?
Re: Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 07 May 2014, 16:14
by Verne
I have a sliding window in my sliding door, but it is the opposite hand to driver side, so that when both windows are open, the opening on both sides is nearer the rear of the van - if that makes sense

Re: Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 07 May 2014, 18:16
by max and caddy
It's the rear sliders that is an issue...if anyone is dumb enough to put there head out the door and and open it they deserve it! It's when someone is looking backwards out the rear window and the door is opened it gets messy..
Like this...

Re: Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 07 May 2014, 18:37
by CJH
Verne wrote:I have a sliding window in my sliding door, but it is the opposite hand to driver side, so that when both windows are open, the opening on both sides is nearer the rear of the van - if that makes sense

It does - mine has the opening section toward the front of the van. I doubt that I'll find one that's the opposite hand for the other side, but if I turn it over it'll be almost the opposite hand, except that the catch will be in the top corner rather than the bottom corner.
max and caddy wrote:It's the rear sliders that is an issue...if anyone is dumb enough to put there head out the door and and open it they deserve it! It's when someone is looking backwards out the rear window and the door is opened it gets messy..
Like this...

Yes, thank you - very graphic. I agree it's unlikely that someone would open the door while somebody's head/arm was through the window, and they'd have to move with the door for it to be a problem.
Re: Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 07 May 2014, 20:02
by Verne
is the window you already have the same as
this
Re: Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 07 May 2014, 20:53
by CJH
Verne wrote:is the window you already have the same as
this
Not quite. Similar, but in mine the catch is on the leading edge - so just around the corner from the catch on that one - and it's operated with a knurled nut.
Re: Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 16 May 2014, 08:41
by DavidPallister
Just seen this, hope you haven't sourced a window yet
DON'T fit one in upside down, they have drain slots along the bottom edge to let rain water out from the channels. If fitted upside down these slots are at the top, the channels won't drain out and rain will p*ss into your van through the window.
Ask me how I know this
Dave
Re: Sliding window for sliding door
Posted: 16 May 2014, 08:58
by CJH
DavidPallister wrote:Just seen this, hope you haven't sourced a window yet
DON'T fit one in upside down, they have drain slots along the bottom edge to let rain water out from the channels. If fitted upside down these slots are at the top, the channels won't drain out and rain will p*ss into your van through the window.
Ask me how I know this
Dave
Good tip, thank you. Yes, I noticed the drain holes when I disassembled the one on the opposite side. I'm wondering whether I could have dismantled it further in order to reverse the opening.