what windows for the bus

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by markingitsterritory, Jan 21, 2022.

  1. hello,
    my bus only has (had) 2 windows that open. Those being the front door windows.
    anyway as part of a restore, Im thinking about replacing all windows (except screen and rear)
    but Im now left decisions as to what type of window do I go with. opening or stick the full glass back in.

    So what do you recommend ? front 1/4 lights ? rear 1/4 lights ? sliding windows, westfalia louved ?

    what you got ? good points bad points, etc etc

    Im kind of leaning towards front 1/4lights, westfalia louved opposite the sliding door but cant make up my mind. hence this post.

    What would you do in my situation ?
     
  2. As per my little picture over there on the left, All four sliders
     
    markingitsterritory likes this.
  3. I have 2 opening quarter lights in the front. Love them.

    I have 2 sliding middle windows which are also great. One of the catches has had a few issues. Plus I now wish I had fitted the opening bit further back near the bench seat rather than having the openings near the front seats.

    Photos available
     
    markingitsterritory likes this.
  4. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    Partly depends on how you plan to use the van to a degree. We have a sliding window behind the cooker which is handy for ventilation.
    Welcome along btw :hattip:
     
    markingitsterritory likes this.
  5. thanks Paul, I have 90% already decided on front 1/4 lights in the doors, good to hear your love for them. To switch the opening you can remove the window/glass, rotate and put back in ? or does that cause some issues ?

    thanks Mick, sliders do offer the best adjustability and seem to be the best bang for buck, at least in terms of opening windows.

    thanks bernjb56, wont have a permanent cooker/hob, will go with a portable one, but it will probably be used in the normal places behind passenger seat or behind drivers, and as such ventilation is important. i was thinking louvred in that window, behind the driver, but £££££.
     
    3901mick likes this.
  6. love my rear sliders

    Sent from my ELE-L09 using Tapatalk
     
    markingitsterritory likes this.
  7. Possibly, but they have been in years and I'm of the view that if it ain't broke, leave it alone!
     
    scrooge95 likes this.
  8. The windows in the slider and opposite could in theory fit in the other way, the issue then is that if you are driving the rain water could be forced into the seal / gap rather than off the edge of the outer front part.
     
    scrooge95 and mikedjames like this.
  9. we may all be talking about different types of opening middle windows.

    @Dicky has the same type as mine, but fitted the opening bit nearer the back seat, which was a great idea.

    All my openings are near the front
     
    Dicky likes this.
  10. same here, well... there was that one time in Thailand..

    I was thinking this might be the case.
     
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  11. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    Your options will vary considerably depending on whether it started life as a microbus conversion or a panel van conversion and if panel van, how big the holes were cut out.
     
    scrooge95 and F_Pantos like this.

  12. It was a Danbury Conversion. Chelmsfords finest.. I think that means its pretty much good for factory fitted windows, right ?
     
  13. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    I can count on one hand the times the front ¼ lights have been opened in the last ten years, I certainly wouldn’t fit them if they weren’t already there but the Westy louvre windows are used every time I use the bus, but only at speeds less than 120mph.
     
    scrooge95, PanZer, Meltman and 3 others like this.
  14. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    Smokers windows.
     
    snotty and 77 Westy like this.
  15. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    I think so. Only you would know, we can't see it from here. :)
     
  16. If your glass is nearer the outside than the inside it's converted panel van. If the glass is nearer the inside than the outside its factory glass :)
     
    PanZer likes this.
  17. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    The passenger and drivers door windows and opening roof hatch and the Devon louvred window in my Devon Kombi conversion deal with heat OK on the move. And standing still the sliding door works well..
    I would worry more about adding leaks with extra sliding windows, the louvres can be fully open in the rain unless the wind is blowing it sideways...

    But for the opening front and rear windows take a look at @1973daisey 's conversion..
     
    PanZer likes this.
  18. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    I've got one sliding window in my Devon conversion (microbus / factory fitted windows) and have recently changed over to opening quarter lights in the front doors (and I do use them!)
    I'd use the sliding window much more if the catch wasn't partially hidden behind my units along the side. Hopefully a different window with the catch in a different position will rectify this (@Mark Darby when ever you have finished your windows and have one spare :thumbsup: ) - and then my current slider might find it's way to @CollyP if he still wants it?
    I definitely think having at least one more window that opens, apart from the wind-down ones in the cab, is a good idea - especially if you're intending sleeping in it over the summer.
    @davidoft had a lovely Devon louvre for sale last year, which I would've loved to fit if it had worked (damn side units foiled that plan too :rolleyes: ) .....so that could be worth a look if he's still got it.
     
    CollyP, DubCat and paulcalf like this.
  19. No leaks from my middle windows ever.

    Passenger door has let water in before, possibly from the Quarter light area.
     
  20. DubCat

    DubCat Sponsor

    It's got your name on it Sarah. (Next to a faded label that I think says "canned draught Guinness"?)
    @paneuropaul this is the one I got from you a while back. Passing it on :)
     
    scrooge95 likes this.

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