Rear lift up windows for Defender wagon?

**rijidij** · 19th May 2012, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by rijidij

I'll be installing Nigel's side windows tomorrow, supplied by Daniel (Mulgo)

They look well put together. I'm hoping it's not too difficult to remove the standard windows from a Puma to fit the new ones.......we'll soon find out.

Cheers, Murray

Well, I did find out how difficult it is to remove the standard windows from a Puma, not a job I want to do often. Basically the window frame is glued in with a sealant which sets to the consistency of rubber. Even though you can get a knife blade in between the panel and window frame to cut through the sealant, there is some sealant that has squashed through to the inside. You can cut this from the inside, but this stuff hangs on even if there's not much there. I made up a tool from some 32 x 3mm flat steel and bent about 25mm of the end to about 45*. This allowed me to gently lever the window frame away from the panel to break the remaining sealant.
It took approximately 1 1/2 hours to get the first window out. Fortunately the other side didn't have as much sealant on it and came out a lot easier, but still a bit of a pain.
So that was the hard part.
Fitting the new windows was a much more pleasant part of the job.......drill the holes for the rivets in the new frame (drill from inside car on older models), remove the four little tabs from near the corners of the opening in the panel, apply some new sealant (I used Sika 255), fit the new window in the panel, drill through for the rivets and rivet away.
The whole job for both sides took 4 1/2 hours, but this particular car was fitted out in the back with racks etc which made access a little restrictive. I couldn't move the interior trims out of the way due to the cargo barrier.

The only thing I would knock about the new windows is the finish could have been a little better, but only a minor issue. I presume it is powder coat.

Overall, I don't think anyone would regret fitting these. I realised this when I was refitting the interior trims etc by leaning in through the new opening with the windows up. It totally changes the access to the back of the car.

Cheers, Murray

**isuzurover** · 21st May 2012, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by isuzurover

OK, so far:

If we order >10 windows then $415 each. ($30 each saving)
5-9 windows $425 each. ($20 each saving)

If we can manage >10 then savings should be a bit more.
Prices are the same for 1/2 glass or solid.

Prices are inc GST but not freight. They are happy to split the order and freight to a few locations. So if this goes ahead maybe we can ship to one person in each city.

Quote is for this type:

(Thanks Murray)

I can also see what sort of deal frontrunner can do if people are happy with no window?

Further to the above, if we can manage 15 or more, the price will be $405 each + shipping.

They are available in glass, polycarbonate or aluminium, all the same price.

Lead time is 8-10 weeks once we place the order.

They have informed me that unlike others (frontrunner?), theirs are a complete replacement, which does not reuse the old window frame. They also said that from 2003-on the windows are glued rather than riveted (as rijidij posted), which makes removal of the old ones harder - as above.

No reply from frontrunner yet.

I will try and get definite numbers towards the end of the week.

**Brucet** · 21st May 2012, 02:56 PM

Having just fitted the front runner ones this weekend, I can tell you that they come with a complete frame. Apparently this design was changed about 2 years ago.

If anyone has any questions you are welcome to give me a shout.

**isuzurover** · 21st May 2012, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Brucet

Having just fitted the front runner ones this weekend, I can tell you that they come with a complete frame. Apparently this design was changed about 2 years ago.

If anyone has any questions you are welcome to give me a shout.

Thanks for that. Mind if I ask how much you paid?

**Brucet** · 21st May 2012, 03:31 PM

Im based in South Africa so dont know the exchange rate. I paid around R2700

**mojo** · 21st May 2012, 03:51 PM

Hi,

I'm interested in 1 window at this stage, but I may convince myself I need 2!

Are the ones you've got the quote for the same as the ones supplied by Mulgo? If not, does anyone know if there's any difference in quality between the Ebay ones and the Mulgo ones?

What exactly is the polycarbonate option - is this Plexiglass?

Cheers
Sean

**Brucet** · 21st May 2012, 05:39 PM

I personally will not go for the poly carbonate option as they will get very scratched very quickly especially when travelling in the bush. I would fit the glass.

**isuzurover** · 21st May 2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by mojo

...

Are the ones you've got the quote for the same as the ones supplied by Mulgo? If not, does anyone know if there's any difference in quality between the Ebay ones and the Mulgo ones?

What exactly is the polycarbonate option - is this Plexiglass?

Cheers
Sean

Yes. The same as Mulgo sells and on ebay.

I assume the polycarbonate are clear, but have asked them. Plexiglass is a trade name for acrylic (PMMA = polymethlmethacrylate). Acrylic cracks and crazes when exposed to UV. Polycarbonate is used as a lightweight equivalent to glass in many race cars, and does not suffer the same problems as acrylic. It does scratch more easily than glass.

I personally will be going glass or aluminium.

**Brucet** · 21st May 2012, 06:09 PM

Here is a picture of mine showing the new Front Runner design. Excuse the quality as the icture was taken with my cell phone.

**eckwalsh** · 21st May 2012, 08:49 PM

Hi guys. I also would be keen to get 2 x half glass windows. Out of curiosity has a price from Daniel at Mulgo been sort?
After all shouldn't we support AULRO members and stores if they can match the prices quoted on equivilent equipment and numbers?

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