Rear Glass replacing a vinyl one

snshami · Postby **snshami** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:57 pm

Hi, how is the glass attached to the vinyl. Is it possible to replace a vinyl rear window with a glass without actually changing the rest of the roof?

The reason I ask is that there is otherwise nothing wrong with my vinyl roof.

If this was possible where would one get a glass from?

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:39 pm

snshami wrote:...Is it possible to replace a vinyl rear window with a glass without actually changing the rest of the roof?...

Not as a straight swap.

As you know with your OEM NA top, you have to unzip the vinyl window before folding the roof as it will otherwise stretch or fold the window without doing it. You'll need lots of modification and fabrication around the rear window opening to fit the glass, which makes it more economical or cost-effective to buy a complete (including frame) 2nd-hard NB soft-top or a new frameless aftermarket NA soft-top with glass window (using your existing frame).

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:33 pm

... or you can find an upholsterer to sew in a new plastic window. I swapped my NA softtop for a glass windowed NB one. If I had my time again I would stay with an NA top and a plastic window. It's got some things going for it that you miss with the NB top.

snshami · Postby **snshami** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:08 pm

manga_blue wrote:... or you can find an upholsterer to sew in a new plastic window. I swapped my NA softtop for a glass windowed NB one. If I had my time again I would stay with an NA top and a plastic window. It's got some things going for it that you miss with the NB top.

My plastic window is OK. What are some of the benefits of the plastic window/NA top

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:06 am

If there's nothing wrong with your vinyl roof & your plastic window is ok, what did you think were some of the benefits of the glass window NB soft-top for your car?

Old Dude · Postby **Old Dude** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:14 am

snshami wrote:
manga_blue wrote:... or you can find an upholsterer to sew in a new plastic window. I swapped my NA softtop for a glass windowed NB one. If I had my time again I would stay with an NA top and a plastic window. It's got some things going for it that you miss with the NB top.

My plastic window is OK. What are some of the benefits of the plastic window/NA top

You can't break the Glass :lol:

and the soft top fits like it was made for it on your car.

If there was something wrong with your rear window, then I would say put on an NB top, if there's nothing wrong, go outside, put the top down, and go for a nice drive, thats what its all about. :lol:

Cheers
Dale

jules · Postby **jules** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:23 am

What's a top? There's nothing above my head but sky!

Jules

snshami · Postby **snshami** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:21 pm

93_Clubman wrote:If there's nothing wrong with your vinyl roof & your plastic window is ok, what did you think were some of the benefits of the glass window NB soft-top for your car?

Its mainly clarity at night and ease of dropping the roof. I am a lazy bugger so don't even like to unzip the window. I find that my vinyl is not as clear as glass and water droplets seem to stick to it so night time driving is a bit harder. Its made even worse because the car is low and the dipped beams of other cars tend to be more like high beams.

And yes I do drop the roof whenever possible, even on cold and drizzly days but it is not always possible.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:41 pm

The issue with my NB top is that the rear window is much smaller than the NA plastic one was. So rear vision is pretty crap compared to before and it's more of a cave inside too.

Also with the plastic you have the option of running with the top up and window open which gives good protection from summer sun while still having the wind whistling through and reasonably decent aerodynamics. It's a popular way of running on hot track days.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:13 pm

snshami wrote:
93_Clubman wrote:If there's nothing wrong with your vinyl roof & your plastic window is ok, what did you think were some of the benefits of the glass window NB soft-top for your car?

Its mainly clarity at night and ease of dropping the roof. I am a lazy bugger so don't even like to unzip the window. I find that my vinyl is not as clear as glass and water droplets seem to stick to it so night time driving is a bit harder. Its made even worse because the car is low and the dipped beams of other cars tend to be more like high beams.

And yes I do drop the roof whenever possible, even on cold and drizzly days but it is not always possible.

Fair enough - it seems a tough call though given Manga's latest comments on the NB glass windowed soft-top. Mine has a hardtop fitted so I get the benefit of a glass window which is also large. Not for everyone, however I needed the added security at the time & have stuck with it. It also made freeway driving quieter & provided more rigidity.