The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors vent window

I have doors from a 49 that I'm presently working on and eventually like to install vent windows. The donor parts will be coming from a 51 door. Is this possible? Will the lock & striker plates line up.

'51 or earlier door latch mechanisms are the same so you should be good to go on that. Fitting a vent window could be another issue. I would have suggested just finding a pair of '51 doors but it's kind of late for that.

I just went through my own door dilemma... I have a '51 that had later doors so I'm pretty familiar with what doors go on what year and '51's are unique... pull down handles and vent windows.

Thanks czechman, Its good to know that the latch mechanism will be good to go. I had a look at m 51 donor doors and I see there is a small pcs of sheet metal protruding out where some of the fastening scews go. The window cavity appears to be the same size as the 48.
I will do more research and hopefully more info may surface. I am holding back on ordering some repacement vent window parts just to be sure this is possible.

It seems that most people are going the other way, removing the vent windows and going with full glass. It can be done but as was noted above it would be a lot easier putting in later doors.
I had a pair of doors from a 53 for sale for a long time and everyone wanted doors without the vents.

As far as practicality and functionality nothing beats a vent window. If you are a smoker it's the perfect place to flick your ash and if it's really hot you can swing that baby around and it will blast air on you like a fan.

Combine a vent window with a cowl vent and there will be so much fresh air in your cab it won't matter what your dog had for breakfast

How true bro ! How true... and throw in a slinding rear window too !!!

I love my vent windows!

Isn't it interesting that people with vent windows want full side glass and people with full side glass want vent windows.
And yes, back when I smoked the vent windows were great for flipping the ashes.
Cleon

Actually this convert is easy then going the other way. They make everything you need new from Bothers or Chevy Duty. Only thing you will need to do is notch your window trim

You are right iceburgh. I am in the process of adapting a vent window from 51 to 48 door. First I made a template to make sure the window cavity on the 48 was the same size as the 51. The notch was easy. I just put a dolly under the lip of the door and used a hammer to bend it the same as the 51 door. Then I fabbed out the angle bracket with welded nuts underneath to accept bolts that hold down the vent same as the 51 door. No cutting required. The devider vent channel had to be trimmed a little at the bottom to match the angle of the inside brace between the inner and outer door skin. A simple flat brace was bolted to the
brace and the bottom of the channel. As czcheman said 51 door & mechanism fit the 48 door. I did a dry run the other day and so far it looks like things are lining up. When everything is rebuilt, painted and installed I will add pics.

There might be other ways but here is what worked for me
Ok here are the parts you will need I got mine from classic Chevy
03-312 Glass felt 2 pair they will fit tighter then the ones for the early years and you will need the extra pair to lenghten

03-917 and 918 glass channel. Assuming the ones on your outside of the door are in good shape if not you will need 2 of each.
These will be mounnted with a U bracket that you will fab and use these to channel the larger windows in the front side of the door
70-117 (2) this is the larger glass.


You will need the regulators for a single glass 18-721 and 722

Also you will need 1 more sash on top of the two you take off of your windows. the extra you will cut in half to exstend your currents to match window size
And 1 piece of the track the regulators run in....you will cut in half and weld to the inside of the door for the regulator

and 4 " of 1/4 rod to use as a guide

this part will need to be cut out from original door
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/?action=view&current=DSCN0432.jpg

here is where you need to fab the U bracket to fasten the channels to. fromflat surface to the channel should be 3.5 inches
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/?action=view&current=DSCN0435.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/?action=view&current=DSCN0436.jpg

here is the sash with the exstension welded on.....weld to the outside so glass will fit in
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/?action=view&current=DSCN0438.jpg

Notice the 1" rod welded for the track...also you will need to cut the sash about 2" back on both sides to allow for the
regulator guide to fit in


Here is the extra track cut in half also one is welded in the door already ....notice where it is welded in the door.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/?action=view&current=DSCN0441.jpg


You will nee dto cut the inner door to be able to weld in the U braket and channel.... it will need to be on the same angle as the original at the back of the door.
Then you will need to redrill holes to hold the new regulators and also the holes for adjustment and oblong
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/?action=view&current=DSCN0434.jpg

after sliding the regulators in and bolt finger tight.....manuver the sash in the door and in the regulator....this is the toughest part. I ended up cutting the door and putting it in. I am using rod dorrs panels so all of this will be covered.
Make sure the regulator is in at all 3 points....the rod ( guide is in the channels and then tighten and adjust the regulator. Add felt stripping( screw in, glue or rivot) add glass
Takes about 2.5-3 hours per door but they work.
Like I said it might not be the right way for everyone but it works like factory
I will get pics whith glass in when I get the doors hung