Gday
Has anyone come across the differences in how the side windows are fitted to vans that were fitted at the factory or fitted as a aftermarket option. Was wondering as the K van i have has the windows fitted with a bar fitted just under the lower edge of the glass and is held in place with about 7-8 rivits going through the body into the bar. The upright that runs from the wheelarch has been cut and is also rivited to the bar ads a lot of strength to the sides every thing is painted the same inside and out so was wondering if this was how the factory conversion was done???Can anyone shed any light on this

This is someting I always disliked about putting windows in Vans. A van is designed to cary Cargo. Cargo does not need to look out of the window ! When the sides are cut out for the windows to be put in the brace from the Gutter seam to the top of the Wheel arch has to be removed which in my books is a very bad move. This make the whole side panel of a Van very weak. It is very easy to lean against a van with windows and pop the glass out of the rubber. You will probably find that who ever had this van tried to re enforce the side by putting in these bits with Pop rivits. There are ways of re enforcing the sides up again when putting windows in but welding is required so paint will need re doing. If one wants windows one should buy a sedan I recon. Leave Vans alone. My first service Van was a 1962 Smooth Roof Mini Van. I should have kept it. I did not kow better those days.

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My van, which (I think) had factory side windows didn't have the upright running up from the wheel arch and the glass was held in the same way as the windscreen. It looked very tidy.

Tim

Mine doesn't have any uprights from the wheel arch. I think it has the rear seat cut out and windows as an aftermarket dealer option.

You can see a pic here, if I got it right

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31440

cheers guys
I know what you mean about vans with windows i also have a 66 van which has the solid back a bugger to see out of sometimes. The 69 k van with the windows was 150 bucks its an absolute tea bag buts its being rebuilt for the missus to drive so im trying to find out more about these later vans

I forgot to mention, the sides on my van are also so wobbly and flexy when pushed - but the windows seem to hold in quite tight - with both the old and new rubbers.

Hey Tom
My 66 solid back van had a similar conversion done to it but by the time i got the van the seat had gone all that was left were the seat stays on the top of the wheelarches and the front half of the load bay was cut out cant have seen much from the back saets mind

Mine had the stoppers on the wheel arches, well one anyway - the other is just a small hole where it was. The remaining stopper jumped off at the sight of a hammer.

Have to weld those holes in, or make new stoppers.

All that was left of the rear seat was:

* The one stopper
* A bar on either side that pivots
* Some really old, basic sliding locks / latches - I think these locked the seat down when folded flat.

Is your battery just sitting on the floor? or is it boxed / hiding on the side?

The battery had been moved from the usuall position behind right behind the drivers seat to be up against the next panel and fixed in the same way as the std position battery leads were really long and easy to trip on as they can in at the std point on the floor

no such thing as factory side windows.... all aftermarket/dealer fitted I believe. Yours would be a home job

vans in traffic without side windows are lethal - I cut mine out - the glass adds a lot of rigidity, but when I put it back together I'll be making some bracing, and a cage, and.....

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Not a great Pic but as you can see even service van's had side windows. Yes one of the first in Sydeny (showen at the then Easter Show) going by my old man.
I was Lucky to grow up with Mini's around me


Get a Pic of the intera rib for us with the Rivets

Must say My Van, with or with out a the Window have been lent on by many a brother inlaw while playing dart's and no Dints


with no dints

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I think that there were two different types of side windows, there were factory windows and dealer fitted windows. (I could be wrong though)

How about the hi-roof vans? Factory or not?

I have an early brochure that shows windowed vans and windowless and lists windows as an option. They may have been dealer fitted but they were factory sanctioned.

Tim

I have a windowless van that is being restored. It has the bracing struts spot welded in place. Quite clearly the panel where the window goes is simply tack welded in places and has a bead of body filler to make it look nicer.

They were made to have glass windows fitted with relative ease.

The worst about any mini van is the sheer tinny noise they make constantly.

Yeah, even with windows mine was deafening. It wasn't helped by the loud exhaust and the 1380.

Tim