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| | | Forums66 Topics128,035 Posts1,055,443 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 20 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 20 | I am struggling here folks and I am looking some help.
I am looking high and low for a place to find the conversion kit to have the windows on the barn doors pivot out at the bottom . Kinda like the rear windows on VW bugs . I saw it on panel years ago and can't find where to get the kit
any help would be great
Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. --Enzo Ferrari
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | sounds like you saw a DIY setup, I've never seen anything like that on any year panel or in any catalog, so aim your struggling on designing your own and let us know how it works out  Bill | | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 725 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 725 | There was a company at one time that made exactly what you want. A friends 1963 Suburban had them. I have a set on a 1974 Econoline. You CANNOT drive with them open, you'll be gassed with exhaust. I've never seen them on anything really old, though.
I'd keep looking.
best wishes,
Les | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | I guess you could bring exhaust out sideways in front of rear tires. Some 80's Blazers had side windows that did that. Probably other vehicles also. Scab that hardware and modify yours. But, why? Never get it to seal, no one can operate it unless they climb back there. Will shake loose when slamming rear doors, and as mentioned, the exhaust will come in. Is this a show Panel that you have done everything else on? What is it? a 55? 55.1? 55.2? what?
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | I used to have a van, 1986? Chevy vandura, I think. It had those, but as mentioned, you cannot drive them when open. They opened only about 3 or 4 inches, can see why they are discontinued. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | I've had similar experience as Leo on an earlier chevy van I used for my woodworking. ....for what its worth, I turned my exhaust pipes out behind the wheel and with a little horse power and glass packs the noise became obnoxious. A non-daily driver may be OK. Just my .02 and maybe I'm just getting to old!!! | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 |
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn | | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 45 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 45 | Glad I read this. I am thinking about the same project. Didn't realize exhaust would be an issue. Open back windows seemed to be OK with station wagons, what's the difference?
Is rust considered a body style?
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | The 47-55 Suburban tail pipe "dumped" to the side - I guessed this was due to the end-gate top being able to be open while driving?
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | No difference, all bad. Now-a-days, there are no station wagons. SUV's and such. You don't drive with the hatch/window open. Old wagons had spoilers/deflectors for "dirt" accumulation. Just a word for anti fumes, carbon monoxide so as not to admit liability. The body design may cause a vortex type flow/eddy current at rear which actually brings it in. If you stick exhaust out several inches past body it will usually eliminate it but may look "non-Hot Rod".
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | arturo, back in the day, anyone driving with the back gate open in a station wagon would normally have had the front windows and vents open to keep a flow front to back - you'll find that even a panel/burb/station wagon just with deteriorated rear seals will be drawing fumes in, not pleasant
Bill | | |
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