Well, I installed the Peninsula slider window in the rear drivers side position on my bus this morning, the mere fact that I am writing this report at 10:30 in the morning kind of says it all - no problem!
The hinge pins are either stainless or high quality brass but were not corroded at all. They are retained by an E-clip at both ends, so you remove one of the clips to tap them out. There is minimal clearance under the drip rail, no room for a normal hammer and punch, so I used an Allen key to tap them out - tapping on the bent end of the Allen key. I got the front and rear pins completely out and the middle one I left the Allen key in as a very loose hinge, then I went inside and released the emergency latch. Back outside, pried the window out to free it, took the allen key out and lowered the window to the scaffold I had up beside the bus. One man, no problem, but doing it with a buddy would definitely be easier.
Took the window apart, got all the glass and trim bits out, cleaned an amazing amount of crud out. since this window position is a factory slider it doesn't have flanges on the bottom and rear to screw the Peninsula window flange to, so they give you aluminium strips to rivet onto the factory frame. After that, a trial fit showed the new window fit perfectly without doing the trimming they say you will have to do to the inner rails. Put the double sided tape on, dropped the factory frame over the new window, centered it up, drilled holes and put in the screws they give you, put a bead of silicone around the outside edge for good luck, and done.
Back at the bus I wirebrushed and cleaned everything, seals were still OK but kind of on the list for five years from now, put the hinge pins in the window hinges with a coat of anti-sieze, and taking a deep breath carried the window over, up on the scaffold and offered it up to the bus. Now it's heavy, holding it up with one hand and getting the middle hinge pin started with the other, but no more that 30 seconds and I had all three hinge pins started in their holes and holding the window. Grab the hammer and punch, tap them all the way in, press the window firmly in to engage the emergency escape latches, re-install the screen on the inside, polish off a few finger prints and call the wife outside to admire...
Two hours start to finish. You have to look closely to see it's not the original OEM window, it fit perfectly, and I still have the factory emergency exit, which was my number one criteria.
Raining now and for the rest of the day, I'll try the other side tomorrow. I am SO looking forward to sleeping back there with a fresh breeze blowing right across the bedroom!
Brian
I agree with the cool breeze blowing through the coach. That is one thing that was important to us when we put ours in. Although this time of year we keep it buttoned up tight! ;D
Isn't it neat when something works out! Doesn't happen all that often unless you are lucky and blessed! Sure wish it was raining here, we need some relief!
I think that you will look back on this as some of the best money that you have spent on the bus. ;D
Last week ordered my windows for the truck. All eleven of them! Dual pane 1800 series with square corners. With shipping just shy of $6k. But-they are really large windows (36" tall). Good Luck, TomC
FWIW they were three weeks late shipping mine from when they promised they would. But they did a very decent job of crating the windows, they arrived in excellent condition. I have to give them props for doing bus specific windows that actually fit.
Brian
brian,
did your bus have sliders in the first place?
i am having a hard time finding oem sliders
thanks
chris
My 5C from the factory had a slider window in the drivers side rear and the passenger side front positions. I think that was typical. the idea in these buses was the AC and heating systems provided all of the fresh air, none came in the windows unless something was broken. the windows were limited to about 4" opening. I have retained the passenger side front slider, installed a screen, and modified it so it opens fully.
Brian
Well, in the interests of having this a complete article for posterity and the archives, I installed the second (passenger side) Peninsula window today, again about a 2 hour job. Taking the window off the bus went as before, the hinge pins tapped right out. This window is a fixed window from the factory, and the only way I could see to get the glass out without dissembling the frame was to break it, so a hammer, safety glasses and gloves later the glass was out and in the bin. It was laminated safety glass like the windshield of a car, so did not shatter at all. Glass out, rubber out, middle stay out, clean clean clean, and ready for the new insert.
Again the fit was very good, five minutes with a file on the frame and the insert fit perfectly. Double sided tape around the flange, drop the frame onto the insert, which was on a table, press press press all around, flip over and drill for screws. Screws in, bead of silicone for luck, and back to the bus. Again the curl to get it up and in place, get a hinge pin started, and tap the hinge pins home. Press in on the bottom to engage the emergency exit clips and off the scaffold and step back to admire.
Recommendations - get new rubber trim for the frame, it dries out and really should be replaced if you are taking the window off. But that applies to all the windows on the bus, so a big job for later...
Cheers, Brian
All of you guys would do us newbies a great service by posting some pictures of your window installs. For example, how do I add some decent screens to keep out the mosquitoes, and at the same time still be able to clean my windows when needed? At the moment, and low and $$$, I am planning to use the bus's stock windows, maybe relocating. See my pix.
Thanks in advance!