764 replies to this topic

[Tupers]

I'm still contemplating a BMW panoramic sun roof but I need to get some other stuff done first. 

[Jared Mk3]

I'm still contemplating a BMW panoramic sun roof but I need to get some other stuff done first. 

 

Do it 

[Tupers]

I'm holding out for one of the latter 2 piece opening roofs. It's definitely on the list.

[Jared Mk3]

I'm holding out for one of the latter 2 piece opening roofs. It's definitely on the list.

That'll be really nice - luxurious as well.

[domdee]

Tons of bmw minis on eBay being broken up. I've emailed a few on the past and they seem to be willing to chop the roof and sunroof off

[Tupers]

So I'm back on the side windows again. My sheet metal folder is only 1 meter long so I had a fabrication company around the corner fold some 2 meter long pieces to hold the window channel. 

 

 

 

I notched the corners and folded the ends in to make one continuous frame for the side window. 

 

It fits in the back quite nicely so the next job is to make mounts for the window motor. 

 

 

 

 

[Ben_O]

I don't know how to spell a wolf whistle so as cheesy as that would be, i would type it if i could 

[MattSparkes]

Any news on this? Have read the whole thing over a couple of days and I'm keen to see how it turned out....

[minimissions]

This is just a cool build love how your making it "yours" and "different" will all those cool little touches :)

[clarkey31]

Well that took a while to get through the 50 pages, top work done there will be watching this one

[mini danny]

I don't know how to spell a wolf whistle so as cheesy as that would be, i would type it if i could 

Think it goes like wit woooooo haha

[Tupers]

Any news on this? Have read the whole thing over a couple of days and I'm keen to see how it turned out....

It's still languishing in the corner of the workshop I'm afraid.

We had a 2nd Crayford saloon and a Hienz Hornet come in for restoration last year and they did a number on my spare time.

If I'm lucky I'll be able to get back to it in a month of two but I'm not holding my breath.

[domdee]

How are you gong to stop water gettin down the bottom of the new side windows? Obviously some sort of seal will be used but will that be sufficient?

[pinkmini99]

Wow I love the workmanship on this so many cool ideas some I've had myself for my pick

Keep up the good work

[Tupers]

I've had a bit of down time between customer project at the workshop recently so I decided to jump back onto the roll down side window project. 

 

I started by making a new intermediary pillar to support the back half of the drop glass frame. It also incorporates the flange for the rear quarter window seal and is tapered to account for the angle of the window frame.  

 

 

Here you can see how the outer face of the pillar transitions from 90* the to top of the frame to 45* at the bottom allowing the glass to sit away from the quarter panel.  

 

I wanted to move the drop glass frame as high as I could within reason so elected to remove the strip that the old window channel screwed to and cheat another 15MM of room. 

 

With the strip gone the frame can sit right up against the cant rail. 

 

I then marked out the remanning over hang and cut it off below the black line to reveal the entire wind opening. 

 

The next issue to deal with was the step between the top of the quarter panel and frame.

As the frame will be welded in I elected to cut the outermost section off allowing the top to sit further out effectively using the quarter panel as the 3rd side of the channel.   

 

 

The top of the frame and quarter panel are now flush and will blend into one another once everything's welded. 

 

Another challenge having the frame welded in threw up was that one side would need to be removable to allow the glass to be fitted. 

To save the removable to section from flapping about I made a brace to hold each side together using some flat steel bar.  

 

This end is doglegged to stop the fittings from interfering with the glass as it moves up and down. 

 

Each brace was welded on before the frame was split just bellow waist height at the B-pillar. 

 

 

So here's how it will be assembled. 

You start with the 3/4 section of the frame permanently welded into the body with its felt runners fitted.

 

The window can then be slid in from the front and pushed to the top.

 

Once the window's held at the top the remaining 1/4 section is bolted in place completing the frame.

 

 

After I lot more trail fitting, fabrication and head scratching I got the universal drop mechanism cut down to size and bolted in place. 

 

I also folded up and new waist rail which will be welded in continuing the profile from the back and locating the inner weather strip.

 

Here it is in action.