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Openable rear windows - good or bad?

22K views 23 replies 7 participants last post by  foxharp 
#1 ·
Hi guys, first post here. 148 HR EB Transit Cargo expected mid June. Should have read this site before ordering. Ordered with no factory windows thinking I wanted aftermarket opening windows on the passenger slider and rear doors. And smaller than factory with dual glass to minimize heat transfer for a minimalist camper conversion.

Hopefully not a "do a search" question since I did a quick search but don't think I saw this question: Is there a good reason NOT to have openable rear windows?

I wouldn't drive with them open since the negative pressure behind the van would suck in the exhaust. Are there any other reasons not to have openable rear windows?
 
#2 ·
It would be nice when parked, and you're right about keeping them closed when driving. Too bad they don't exist.

You might be able to find some small, square, universal side windows that open that would fit on the back doors. I suspect no one makes them because they don't want to be liable for poisoning the people in a van if they decide to drive with them open.
 
#4 ·
i would not worry until just a few years ago you could order opening rear windows
in e series ford vans we had a couple that had them and did not die!
nanny govt stepped in to "protect" us and made them disappear.

Les,lqhikers
Wah wah wah!!

Nanny govt also brought us seat belt harnesses, air bags, gasoline tanks that won't cook you in a roll over, dual hydraulic braking systems, non-asbestos brake pads, improved fuel economy, non-flammable interior fabrics, improved crash worthiness, food without toxic chemicals, and a place for all your shyt to go without stinking up the neighborhood.

We are the govt unless we f^&#k up and let Amazon take it over...
 
#5 ·
surly, I think I'm going with universal small openable rear windows.

I would agree with surly that it's more the lawyers fault. Never recall anything by NHTSA about outlawing opening rear windows. I don't want to get into politics but I wish the Transit had automatic braking as a safety feature. Just scrapped my old minivan . My fault, too fast merging onto a freeway then looked over my left shoulder for too long making sure the fast lane was clear and moved over. And a full size pickup blocked all the brakelights in that line turning on which had come to a complete stop. A gov't rule for lower pickup bumpers or guards like the semi's would be nice. He was braking so his rear end was even higher; may not have helped. His rear bumper just tore through my highlights, grill, hood, etc etc. A computer paying forward attention and slamming on the brakes might have saved me?
 
#6 ·
I've had 3 different Corvair Greenbrier vans, and the engine is actually IN the back of the van, with all it's old-car fumes and smells freely entering the cabin, and I died.
 
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#24 ·
haha! Remember the first Toyota Van and the followup Previa? You sat on top of the engine.
a Toyota Van was our first camper van. we had a lot of fun in that one. crossed the country with both kayaks and bicycles strapped on the outside. great memories. http://projects.foxharp.net/the_van/index.html#history

but back on topic: having cross ventilation from front to rear or side to side is essential for happy sleeping, particularly in warmer weather. having venting windows in the rear would be fine, but as you say, they need to be kept closed while driving.

paul
 
#8 ·
I wonder about small universal skylights as windows? They mount the same way. They seem to come in more sizes than windows.
 
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#9 ·
From other people's opinions here, it seems most think a passenger slider window is really useful when driving. I figure it'd be nice for rear windows (smaller) also for driving and something on the driver's side to see what's going on outside when parked. Help my paranoia.

Or maybe just a passenger slider window and multiple cameras would do the same job and be more stealth.
 
#13 ·
It does seem like they used to have factory pop-out rear windows on the old full size vans but the factory stopped that?


My conflicting goals of ventilation, visibility, privacy, stealth. This might be the plan so far:
1. Openable passenger slider window to be able to see traffic.

2. Roof vent and floor vent like Orton recommends for ventilation when stopped. Use roof vent only while driving.

3. I'll have to see if I can get used to driving without rear windows. Never had a car without them before. A permanent rear view camera display might obviate need for rear windows. Have people had difficulty without rear windows?

4. Multiple cameras for my paranoia when parked.
 
#14 ·
With the right rear monitor, it can be almost like having windows. I have a 7" screen thing that snaps on over the existing mirror (vans that have no rear windows won't come with rearview mirror so you'll have to make a bracket). $30 WITH crappy camera on Ebay. I'll upgrade to a rooftop CCD camera at some point. I think Georgia Joe has a three camera/monitor setup that can take the place of side mirrors to an extent, but the side mirrors can be directed any direction.

I explored clear boat hatches as roof vents or sunroof, because I don't like the vent sticking up so high. The deck hatches are just like universal car sunroof, and mount nearly flush, and come in sizes from 10x10" up to 4x4' or more! Hard to compensate for the curvature of the Transit roof, though. Most of these hatches are made for flat surfaces.
 
#23 ·
(vans that have no rear windows won't come with rearview mirror so you'll have to make a bracket).
My sales guy tells me that vans with no rear windows will come with a rear view mirror IF you also get the backup camera option AND get the base radio. That's what I ordered. With this combination he says the backup camera displays in the rear view mirror since the base radio has no video display.
 
#15 ·
Thanks, the screen in place of the rear view mirror and a better rear camera sounds like the ticket. Didn't realize the vans with no rear windows had no rear view mirror. Makes sense though.

I'll have to research Georgia Joe's setup.

You'd think that one could shape some kind of adapter to compensate for the roof curve for the large vents/hatches.
 
#16 ·
Hein makes an adapter for 14x14 RV vents. A crafty person with time on their hands could make their own by scribing the roofline and cutting a pair of matching pieces out of sturdy plastic material, like synthetic deck board.
 
#18 ·
The aftermarket rear windows look fine (black screw heads would have polished it off). Thanks guys for giving me some more options to ruminate on. I think I'll drive it without the rear windows and see how that feels. Then think about a good rear camera and monitor. Last would be the rear window option since cutting is permanent.

Definitely roof and probably floor vents a la Orton. He really likes them but he's in milder Calif climate. I'm going to be in back and forth between Milwaukee and Boulder/Ft. Collins this summer which is definitely hotter than Calif.
 
#19 ·
Mounting small windows up as high as possible gives a bit of privacy, because people would have to get a ladder to see in. Except Shaq.
 
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#21 ·
Surly, high windows would give privacy but also limit my ability to keep an eye on traffic.

Thanks, baja. Doesn't look like CR Laurance offers dual pane. Now I'm reading that dual panes will all eventually fail from the vibration of the vehicle and might be better to go single pane with insulating covers. argh, more decisions.
 
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