Gullwings - What's available brand wise and what is the differences?

[Robmacca]

Gents,
Looking at wanting to fit 2 Gullwing Windows to my 110 Tdi300 Wgn to help make things easier for myself and the missus when touring. Don't know much about what is out there and what differences are between the brands, etc.
Looking for some first-hand experience from others as to which ones or brands are the better ones to go with and possibly what faults there might be between the different brands, etc.

Since I'm looking to buy 2, price probably will be a factor as well.
thanks in advance....

[weeds]

I had Mulgo fit four custom CWS or is it CSW gull wings. They can be ordered as solid or with glass, we have two of each.

The biggest difference is where the patches are located, I have no idea which arrangement would be best.

The one we have seal and don’t leak.

I cannot quite remember how much they were.

I haven’t been up and personal with the other brands....so cannot advise if one is better than the other.

[weeds]

Umm....it appears I dropped $2k on the four gullwings I purchased.

Gullwing Door for Land Rover Defender - CSW (http://www.expeditioncentre.com.au/gullwing-door-for-land-rover-defender)

You’re more than welcome to come and have a close look at mine.

[rijidij]

I've supplied a few CSW Gullwings to customers, and fitted a few of them including to my own County. Mine have been in for about 5 years and there's no sign of leaking or any other issues with hinges, locks etc. They are Australian made too. They currently retail for $495 each, whether you get all metal or 2/3 glass.

The only downside to Gullwngs isn't directly related to the Gullwings themselves, it's removing the factory sliding windows if you have a late model Defender. The factory windows are installed with a combination of a strong double sided adhesive seal between the frame and the panel, and also some black Goo. They can be a bit time consuming to get out, especially if some of the goo has crept over the lip to the inside of the car.

But........ It is definitely worth the hassle, allowing so much more access to the back of the car. I have a deck in my County at window level (See pic), so I tend to use them more than the back door at times.

The Frontrunner full glass Gullwings (https://cdn.frontrunneroutfitters.com/multi/media/catalog/product/cache/7/thumbnail/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/r/front-runner-gullwing-window-glass-land-rover-defender-GWLD006-3.jpg) look fantastic, but quite a bit more expensive at $700+ each. I haven't had any first hand experience with these, but I'm sure they'll be a quality item. Personally I'd be a bit cautious about hitting the edge of the glass and smashing it. Because the hinges and locks are through the glass it might be an expensive replacement, just my opinion.

Frontrunner also do an aluminium one (https://cdn.frontrunneroutfitters.com/multi/media/catalog/product/cache/7/thumbnail/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/r/front-runner-gullwing-window-aluminium-land-rover-defender-GWLD009-9.jpg).

Cheers, Murray

[dazzler]

Just installed 2 x frontrunner windows on my truck in one afternoon with some help from a mate. Got mine from OL for under 650 a piece (bought 4 together). Def quality unit compared to CSW that I had on my old Truck and sit flush to the body (CSW's sit proud).

Following tools made the job easier in my openion:

Dremel with a Tungsten Carbide cutting tip to trim the metal tabs and trim body.
Slim Boxcutter
flat blade screwdriver to remove the retaining clips on the later model Fenders


Another trick is to get a mate to push the window frame from inside which will help you cut through the window seal.

Good Luck!

pd

[Dervish]

I have the Front Runner gullwings - have had them since before there was an alternative from Mulgo or the option to get glass. I personally can't see why glass is desirable in a gullwing at any rate (Hardtops being an exception). As to what brand you get I'm sure it makes very little difference; just GET THEM. They are brilliant.

135143

135140

I recently painted mine white as they were looking a bit worse for wear and it always bothered me how much heat got through if they were in the sun.

135142

[Shoogs]

I have the Front Runner gullwings - have had them since before there was an alternative from Mulgo or the option to get glass. I personally can't see why glass is desirable in a gullwing at any rate (Hardtops being an exception). As to what brand you get I'm sure it makes very little difference; just GET THEM. They are brilliant.

135143

135140

I recently painted mine white as they were looking a bit worse for wear and it always bothered me how much heat got through if they were in the sun.

135142

I have the Front Runners best mod I have done hands down...

[Colmoore]

Got mine for my ex 110 through Daniel at Expedition Centre, Rob.
A mate and I fitted it in 3 hrs. The factory slider unit was a mongrel to remove.
Used sika flex to fit the new one, so that won't be coming out easily either!
I made a flexible top seal so it wouldn't leak when wide open in the rain and a shelf that hooked onto the frame so I could take stuff out of the fridge and sit it there.
Also made little angle brackets that worked off the window latches to keep the window locked open about 50mm so the fridge was vented. Then fitted some Ametlin foil insulation on Velcro tabs to all my rear and side windows to reflect the heat out.
All worked quite well
On the DS I turned the slider into a double slider, so I could access my shadow board and all the oils and spares tucked away. Fitted some led strip lights all round and she was sweet.
Cheers mate,
Col

[Robmacca]

Umm....it appears I dropped $2k on the four gullwings I purchased.

Gullwing Door for Land Rover Defender - CSW (http://www.expeditioncentre.com.au/gullwing-door-for-land-rover-defender)

You’re more than welcome to come and have a close look at mine.


I just might take u up on that :)

[Robmacca]

Got mine for my ex 110 through Daniel at Expedition Centre, Rob.
A mate and I fitted it in 3 hrs. The factory slider unit was a mongrel to remove.
Used sika flex to fit the new one, so that won't be coming out easily either!
I made a flexible top seal so it wouldn't leak when wide open in the rain and a shelf that hooked onto the frame so I could take stuff out of the fridge and sit it there.
Also made little angle brackets that worked off the window latches to keep the window locked open about 50mm so the fridge was vented. Then fitted some Ametlin foil insulation on Velcro tabs to all my rear and side windows to reflect the heat out.
All worked quite well
On the DS I turned the slider into a double slider, so I could access my shadow board and all the oils and spares tucked away. Fitted some led strip lights all round and she was sweet.
Cheers mate,
Col

Don't suppose u have any photos that u could share ?? Intersted to see some pics especially of the flexible top seal to prevent water ingress when open.....

[Robmacca]

Couple more questions:

If I was to install them into my '95 Defender, if I wanted to, could I remove them, then refit the sliding windows again, then re-install the Gullwings into a later model Puma Defender (if I was ever able to afford to buy one:) )
The Latches - I noticed on the Frontrunner versions that the latches are fitted such a way that they latch against the bottom of the window frame and in from the edge a fair bit - whereas the CSW ones are different in that the Latches are to the sides of the window frame. Is one better than the other? Does one seal more than the other?
Can someone tell me the "thickness" of the Ally ones? Are they 4mm or 5mm thick or something else?
With installation - do u need to install any sealant to prevent leaking?

[rijidij]

Yes, you could swap them from one vehicle to another, there’s no mods needed that would prevent the standard windows being reinstalled.
I didn’t use any sealant in my CSW gullwings, they come with a foam seal, I’ve never had a leak.
I doubt the ally sheet would be any more than a couple of mm thick, certainly not more than 3mm.

[weeds]

The ally on the solid CSW is on the thin side.....I’ll take a measurement

[weeds]

Thicker than I thought.....

1.6mm

[Dervish]

Thicker than I thought.....

1.6mm

Blimey, the Front Runners are two layers of 3mm plate, everywhere but around the very edge where it is just single 3mm plate. Solid as a rock.

The Front Runners require holes to be drilled that would preclude fitting a sliding window back in (I'm pretty sure).

[Robmacca]

Thicker than I thought.....

1.6mm

Wow, that seems awfully thin....

[rijidij]

Blimey, the Front Runners are two layers of 3mm plate, everywhere but around the very edge where it is just single 3mm plate. Solid as a rock.

The Front Runners require holes to be drilled that would preclude fitting a sliding window back in (I'm pretty sure).

The CSWs also require drilling, only for rivets, but these would be concealed by the sliding window frame if re fitted.

[weeds]

Wow, that seems awfully thin....

Not really....it’s probably thicker than the panels panels on a Defender.

Oh and save my GVM to cram other crap in

Cannot think why it would need to be thicker. Seems to do the job..as I don’t think I will be standing in them to access the roof.

As I had four to buy and they needed to be custom size it was my only option for a factory produced product and when buying four price was a consideration.

[BearTD5]

Would someone be able to measure the size of the opening of the front runner gullwing?

[rijidij]

Would someone be able to measure the size of the opening of the front runner gullwing?

If you mean the size of the opening after installation when you lift the door up, 1010 x 380.
This is a measurement I have written down, so someone else will hopefully confirm this by actually measuring a gullwing.

[W&KO]

I was about to go measure mine, but than remembered mine are custom size

[BearTD5]

If you mean the size of the opening after installation when you lift the door up, 1010 x 380.
This is a measurement I have written down, so someone else will hopefully confirm this by actually measuring a gullwing.

Thanks rijidij, much appreciated