retro fit sliding windows to t5 crewvan

[Leespe]

looking for some advise on fitting original vw sliding windows to replace solid panel windows eg any metal to cut and best place to get them from and fitted ideally melbourne area

[Leespe]

Anybody done this

[Sunny43.5]

Whilst I have not fitted the original VW windows {way too bloody expensive } I have fitted windows to three of our T5's but as I also fit sunroofs for aliving its relativly easy for me . If you look on the inside you can see theextra metal inner part you just cut right along that line , before you do though there is a top to bottom piece that needs to be cut at the same time before cutting the outside part . I would NEVER use ajig saw for this job way too many filings which is a real bummer to clean up , we use an oscilating saw to cut the top to bottom brace and then use a Bosch Shear to cut the rest it does not make asingle filing .You can see here the fitted windows sorry I did not think to do a close up photo , There are few places in melbourne who will do the job here is just one place but there are many more
Van Modifications, Van Windows, Seats, Seating & Rear Protection Bars Melbourne

[aSimpleLife]

There are few places in melbourne who will do the job here is just one place but there are many more
Van Modifications, Van Windows, Seats, Seating & Rear Protection Bars Melbourne

As usual thanks very much for providing so much useful information on this forum.
I had fixed after market windows fitted through the dealer on both sides in the middle of my LWB T5.
I from time to time have to sleep in the van at night on jobs and find I need ventilation, that doesn't let in mozzies and is secure to some degree as I'm in industrial areas with bikie nightclub venues and drag racing gatherings from time to time.
Also any passengers I take in the rear seats which are in the middle tend to complain about not having a window to open.
So it seems to me that the best ventilation option is to put in a sliding window rather than vents.
I have been to see Tossa and they quoted $850 for 1 sliding window. But they can't provide a fly screen.
Unfortunately I now realise I've dealt with the owner before in a different capacity and must say I'm not keen on providing him with my hard earned.
I also went to my local RV Superstore who can supply caravan type windows but they are not necessarily approved for use in a van. They can provide Slimline 4rc Sliders or Aussie Traveller Sliding Windows.
I'd be happy to have my mechanic fit the style of window that Tossa would use - but I have no idea where to source them from.
Any suggestions would be appreciated thankyou.

[Sunny43.5]

This company make van windows and have agencies in Victoria just enter your postcode here Store Locator - Bushranger Also this place good luck Van windows | Side windows for vans | Van side window

[aSimpleLife]

Once again, thankyou very much for taking the time to help.

[aSimpleLife]

Bushranger (Kingsley Enterprises) - Jet-Tec bonded sliding window

Followed up the Bushranger (Kingsley Enterprises) lead (thanks again) and after trying most of their distributors in Melbourne who didn't really know the products I rang them direct in NSW and got the info I needed. They advised their best sliding window option for the T5 is the Jet-Tec bonded sliding window. Suits me as it comes with a fly screen that still allows you to open and close the window without removing it. I was surprised by the style of window with it being like a pop out from the main window - rather than what I would think of as a traditional sliding window http://www.bushranger.com.au/van_win...t_tec_2_hr.jpg

Can't buy it direct. I think I'll buy it from Autobarn for $600 with flywire inc gst and arrange for my mechanic's window fitter to do the job locally. Best quote I got fitted was $850 fitted but I was not confident of the quality. They said it was a bugger of a job to get the existing fixed bonded window out but they wouldn't charge me for it. The supplier regarded as the best wanted $1,150 which included an extra $200 for removal. And both suppliers are miles away and I'll lose the best part of a days work as well. My mechanic is confident of quality fitting and he hasn't let me down yet (apart from allowing someone to run into my car last week while out for a test run while in for a service - but that's a whole nother story

Truth be known I am starting to tire of the process - maybe I should just try to find a fly wire screen that fits over the drive or passenger door window? - for the occassional times that I need it - and save myself $800 plus
I though there was a mention about that type of product in a thread here but can't seem to find it at the moment.

[Sunny43.5]

$200 to remove single window they are bloody robbers , the time taken to cut out the old glass would be no more than ten minutes if that , all that needs to be done is to either use a Stanley knife from the inside to cut the old seal or find a windscreen company as they remove bonded windscreens all day long and I am sure they will get the old one out quite quick . I had my front screen done and the guy removed the old one in under 15 minutes . Once out it will be easy to remove more of the old sealant and then refit new glass . I purchased our 4 fixed glass panels for our new T5 from a Brisbane company for a fabulous price all the glass panels supplied with sealant were cheaper than ONE single fixed glass from VW . Maybe worth a call . Windows | Commercial | Auto Extras - Commercial

[aSimpleLife]

Thanks very much again for your advice. I will follow up that company in QLD.
Yes, but I have had 3 separate specialist window fitting companies (same setup as the one you have mentioned) all say the same things about how hard it is to work with an already installed window and how much easier it is to cut a new hole - even though the hole would almost certainly be the right shape - it did feel like a beat up.
My local mechanic said the same as you about the removal and fitting. He has no hesitation saying his normal window repairer could handle the job. Bushranger expressed concern when I suggested it to them and strongly recommended their distributors - but then one of those is Autobarn who don't fit windows, but said they could get someone in. So I'm not having a go at Bushranger. I understand their position. But it seems like I shouldn't be afraid of getting a standard window repairer to do the job.

[Sunny43.5]

Glad to have helped it's such a shame that those people you have dealt with are treating you like a cash cow , if you ring those people in the link see how you go .

[Tornado T5]

Have you tried V Group in Ferntree Gully, they do most of Burwin's installs?

V Group Holdings

[aSimpleLife]

Thankyou very much for your suggestion.
No offence intended...but it's very very funny you should mention them (at least to me
No...on this occassion I have not tried them...despite them being literally a 15 minute walk from my house.
They actually did the dealer options for my van..including the current fixed windows...and what a terrible saga that turned out to be...although I was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt...and you wouldn't believe how often I get referred to them...for things like towbars, etc.
So when I wanted to fit out the rest of my van I went to them...emailed them...rang them...even went and turned up in reception twice...and every time they said they would get back to me...and they never once did...after 12 months...and they weren't the only one's...I ended up driving thousands of km's to Gloucester to have the work done...which I was very happy with.
I think with V group...in the end...I had to assume they only wanted to deal with dealers...and not with individuals...although it might have been just me...and likely after you read this...albiet after a couple of wines...you might be inclined to agree
But as I said...thanks very much for making the time to help.

[Gold Coaster]

Truth be known I am starting to tire of the process - maybe I should just try to find a fly wire screen that fits over the drive or passenger door window? - for the occassional times that I need it - and save myself $800 plus

You could try these for a quick, cheap alternative Cab Window Air Vent for T4 1990–2003 :: Just Kampers Australia

They don't supply a real lot of ventilation but at least you know that the air is being replenished over as you sleep. They also provide security and protection if it rains.

GC

[aSimpleLife]

What a fantastic product (for what I need) and a fantastic site/business.
No doubt I'll be spending some hours looking through what they've got.
Unfortunately for me and my T5 at this time from their Q&A section;
"The T5 window is significantly different to the T4 so converting this item would not be viable. We will be looking into getting this item for the T5 but as yet have not found anyone supplying this"
Thankyou for the information.

[aSimpleLife]

And this would be a problem for me to having electric windows;
"Please note, these vents are not compatible with electric windows, as they will interfere with the sensors."
But if they do come up with a T5 model it may not be an issue.