Soft Door Windows

[missesalot]

Hey all,
I have a Curtis soft sided hard top cab on my new to me NH Tc45d. The windows were removed from one of the doors, they're the kind with the clear vinyl windows like a jeep soft top, but I do have the old ones to use as templates. Are there any tips on re-installing new windows back into the soft doors? These were originally stitched in, and I plan to take them to a canvas shop and have new ones cut and stitched in, but wanted to check to see if there were any good DIY ideas. I also do not know which material to buy for replacements.

 

[texasranger556]

I would consider adding zippers so you can remove them in the future.

 

[missesalot]

great idea

 

[missesalot]

its only 60 bucks or so to haVe them stitched in with new material so I'm not going to work too hard on this project

 

[zmansmac]

Many years ago I made soft sides and back for a home made tractor cab. I used the traditional clear vinyl and sewed the windows on with a heavy duty, but not industrial, sewing machine). There are conditioners that will prolong the life of the clear vinyl but eventually they will yellow and crack. But I always hated the distorted view through them. So when mine needed replacing a couple of years ago I went with a very thin, I think about 30 thousands, clear lexan.

My machine would not sew them, although an industrial model would. I glued and used some aluminum rivets to install the new windows. The difference in vision is like night and day - no distortion. A 4 x 8 foot sheet cost me $45 and was enough to make all my windows. And if they get scuffed, plastic polish will make them like new again. And lexan does not crack.

 

[missesalot]

OOOhhh this is a fantastic idea. Is lexan the same as plexiglass or the stuff from the bix box stores? What kind of glue did you use?

 

[texasranger556]

Lexan is a trade name for polycarbonate. Like Kleenex vs tissue.

 

[zmansmac]

The big box stores generally carry both Plexiglass (acrylic plastic) and Lexan (a polycarbonate as texasranger pointed out). Acrylic plastic will break and shatter if bend too much; polycarbonate will not.

I used a very thin polycarbonate because there is some curvature to my soft sides. The box stores probably only have 1/8 inch as the thinnest they sell. And they charge a lot for even a small piece. Your best bet is to find an actual plastic company. If you don't have one near you, it probably isn't that expensive to have them cut even rough size pieces and ship them. My 4 x 8 foot sheet was thin enough that I cut my pieces using household scissors.

I use E6000 for gluing.