*HELP* missing rear topper window

[Frank Lee]

No way that little window costs $500!

And if they were charging that I'd tell them to stick it you know where.

And it won't have any noticeable effect on fe.

[slowmover]

Tempered smoked glass from a reputable glass company. Meaure, cut, send out for tempering, re-install. 10-day turnaround. Guess you might learn to price stuff, Frank Lee. Or a replacement piece from the manufacturer (new window + frame) at about the same price. Had an "economic migrant" break mine out a while back (not what we call them in Texas).

A piece of lexan cut to fit is the cheap option (but degrades vision quality).

No noticeable effect on FE. Just a lot more dust.

.

[Frank Lee]

I know all about pricing stuff, believe me. I've been in charge of projects with million dollar tooling budgets.

I was given a ridiculous price quote once back in the day for replacement safety glass tractor cab windows. I went to the local glass shop with the frame and they made a nice new safety glass pane and installed it for less than it would have cost me to buy a piece of plexiglass, cut it, and put in a crappy plexi window myself! The glass shop was stymied by my request to change from two sliding panes to a single fixed pane, so I found a local tractor cab company and bought some rubber gasket extrusion from them that had the perfect profile and gave that to the glass shop to use. It looked like a factory job when it was all done.

If I couldn't make one, I'd find a used one somewhere. They are out there.

I have gotten volume discounts on glass before too. Probably wouldn't apply to toppers, but I stocked up on several windshields that I knew I'd need and because I bought 6 at one time I got the same discount that actual glass shops usually get!

Back to toppers, again I say there's no way I'd pay $500 for that little window; that's just highway robbery. I'd jerry-rig my own solution if I had to before I'd fork over that sort of dough.

[dcb]

OB Economy: good opportunity to scrap the cap and make an aerodynamic one

[KamperBob]

I too doubt the missing glass will have a significant effect. It's possible that a little vacuum develops from wake suction inside the cap with the back glass gone. Integrated over the inside surface of the front of the cap plus bed areas might add up to some detectable drag force. Maybe. It's also possible that eddy currents developing behind the cap work a bit more favorably with the rear glass missing. Theory there being that eddies can tuck inside slightly and thereby draw the wake down slightly. Slightly. Maybe. Bottom line, I doubt it'll make enough difference to notice. I could be wrong. ABA testing before & after repair would of course settle the question. Meanwhile, enjoy your trip!

[aerohead]

I believe member Sepp,in Europe measured a small drag penalty for an 'open ' back on his Frontier.Probably not worth the worry.
Plexiglass/Lucite/Lexan is approved by the DOT for safety glass replacement on motor vehicles in the USA.Could be your plan-B if you can't find affordable glass.

[BamZipPow]

Time to build a temp kammback...

[atlas]

Hey folks,

Thanks for your replies on my question.
We made it to MI with no troubles and really not much if any change to the MPG.

THANKS AGAIN!!

[graydonengineering]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

No way that little window costs $500!

And if they were charging that I'd tell them to stick it you know where.

And it won't have any noticeable effect on fe.

I agree. I bought my complete ARE fiberglass top used in ecelent condition for $500! I know some shells have fancy curved/tempered/tinted glass but shop arround a bit and you should find something for less. You might have to cut out the middle man of buy used. No rush since your FE will not be majorly hindered.