Hey guys, I'm about to install my lexan windows (maybe this should be in the drag racing category, but oh well) and I realized that there will be no way to mount the rear view mirror to the lexan. So this is what I did. I don't know if it will ever help anyone, but I will put out a warning that the sparks from welding will, and do, ignite the insulation in the roof! My garage now smells like smoke. But the car didn't get burnt! As always when I weld I had on all my leather gear (even though I am outside in 100* weather) and was able to rip it off the roof and stomp it out. Anyhow, in case you are wondering...it isn't the first time I've caught something on fire while welding or cutting. I did have a fire extinguisher right next to me just in case. As a cautionary tale, always be prepared for fire when you are working on your car!
As most can relate to if you due any type of welding or cutting . I was working on a very good friends done deal forty ford tudor it had a broken bracket under the dash . So we striped the interior But can't get the carpet pad off the floor . So we soaked some towels with water and still started it on fire.
Well, I've got the headliner in. The front and rear lexan installed along with the rear side windows. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to do the door windows. I want to eliminate the crank and go with straps like the old super stock dodges. But the felt is too tight for some reason and it doesn't want to slide down easily. I'll get this figured out. But the curvature is absolutely perfect on this Pro-Glass lexan. It's pricy, but works well. I did have a couple factory scratches that are driving me crazy, but that's probably part of having lexan.
Hi Chip, Yep, I got the mirror mount portion taken care of a while ago. Like I said, I'm only struggling with the door windows and how to make them work right now. I want the functionality of windows that slide, but I can't use the stock crank because it runs into my cage. I'm trying to avoid having to open the door to open in order to open and close the windows. That's why I wanted to get rid of the cranks all together and go with a strap or other mechanical way to move them. Not to mention it would save me some weight. What I've found though is that the light lexan doesn't slide down. Pulling it up wouldn't be a problem, it's the downward direction that I'm concerned with. And here in AZ I need to be able to have them move.
Hi Tony: I've seen the ' strap ' setup on a couple of cars and they seem to do the job Okay . They used a 'thin' strap about one inch or more wide and attached it to the bottom of the lexan panel .. and let the strap rest inside the door area and extend all the way up and slightly down into the interior . (The END of the strap on the ' interior ' of the door had a small item attached so the strap wouldn't fall down into the interior of the door ) They also had a small hook where they punched holes in the strap ( much like a belt we use for trousers ) and when the driver pulled the strap down on the inside.. the lexan window came UP and they secured it by hooking the strap onto the hook. ( wordy explanation .. sorry ) Cometized (Chip)
I was actually considering that Frank! It made it to my short list of ideas. I just haven't decided if I'd like the look yet. Hi Chip, There are a couple of problems I see with the Maverick windows and a strap. Because the front edge of the window is so narrow the window tends to rotate and bind up unless you pull it up in the perfect spot. So I thought about cutting the big gear off and removing the crank from the window regulator and leaving the parts that locate the window , but that still leaves me with the friction of the regulator assembly (and there might be a spring in there too) and the swollen felt in the inside of the door. Either way it just doesn't 'slide' down. You literally have to push it down. So I'm thinking that I might leave the regulators (although I wanted to lighten the doors as much as I could) and search for a shorter handle of some sort for the crank. I found a wing window crank that I think might work for a Ford, but I only can find one so far.
Fairlane vent window crank and mount a mirror to the roll bar, as far as fires they make a fiberglass blanket to help with that. Cheap compared to a burn down.
I chose to keep the glass, glad I did. P.S. you can't reach the window crank in the stock location with your seat belt harness on.
Ebay tons of cranks http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...ks.TRS0&_nkw=ford+vent+window+cranks&_sacat=0
