install peninsula windows

busshawg · March 11, 2012, 05:57:32 PM

I just received my side windows for my MC 9, does anyone know what I have to do with my old frames?? Cutting etc? Thx

thomasinnv · March 11, 2012, 06:38:07 PM

from what I recall others saying you only need to release the latch and swing the window out, then remove the hing pins at the top. Install the new windows in the reverse order. They are built to be installed just like the factory windows.

bevans6 · March 12, 2012, 04:35:37 AM

The windows I got from Peninsula were installed into the old frames. You take the old window off the bus, you take the glass and the center strut out (I used a hammer for the glass and managed to undo most of the screws for the center strut, but a grinder was involved at some point). The glass is extremely tough and heavy, so be prepared for some work. Once the frame is empty, the new window should drop right in, and it's flange should simply lay over top of the exterior edge of the old frame. You clean the old frame edge with alcohol, apply the double sided tape, drop the new window into the old frame, or lay the old frame on top of the new window, whichever seems easier for you to manage. I recall that the old empty frame was quite light, so I probably put the new window on the bench and laid the old frame over it. Whichever, the double sided tape is very aggressive and you get one shot at it - it ain't coming apart again... Then you screw in a few screws to help hold it in place, and put the assembly back on the bus. One of my windows (the factory slider one) needed an aluminium filler piece which was just screwed into place.

HTH, Brian

thomasinnv · March 12, 2012, 07:31:05 AM

Did Peninsula or any other company make a replacement window system that just attaches to the existing hinges? I'm sure I read that somewhere, thought it was Peninsula. Could be wrong though.

bevans6 · March 12, 2012, 08:32:09 AM

My information is purely about side windows for MCI's, in my case MC-5C. They may make ones with full frames for other buses. In the case of the MCI ones I have I thought that the idea of reusing the existing frame was great, since it would be an expensive piece to make and you retain the OEM seals and emergency escape latches. My application was bedroom so I wanted the emergency escape releases as stock.

In any case they have an information installation instruction sheet that comes with them, it's just not all that self explanatory. The sales guy told me how to do mine.

Brian

RickB · March 12, 2012, 07:36:08 PM

I can't remember exactly but it seemed to involve a fair amount of cutting with a jigsaw, went through a number of blades and took me a good part of an afternoon and I only did one window. The one's for the nine required a retrofit into your existing window frames and it was a fair amount of work. I'm hoping to get a few more but we're not positive we're keeping the bus so any non essentials are gonna wait out the fuel prices before any more upgrades.

Rick

grantgoold · March 12, 2012, 09:11:42 PM

I had my peninsula (Motion Windows) placed in my original frames. Super simple and took about ten minutes per window to install. They used the same hinge and pins. Super easy. Cant wait to get at least one more for the bathroom.

Grant

RickB · March 12, 2012, 10:35:22 PM

Grant,

Excuse my memory, or lack thereof, but didn't you have to cut some flange around the entire window frame? I seem to remember that I had to cut this 1/2 inch section of either the new part of the frame or the old but maybe they have different models of the same windows. Mine were the half sliders.

I know that mine came with instructions. Busshawg do your instructions tell you to cut a flange of that runs around the entire frame? If so, get some cheap jigsaw blades and a lot of them. Yikes!

I do reserve the right to be totally wrong on this by the way. I may have dreamed the whole darn thing. It's honestly that vague of a memory!

Rick

grantgoold · March 13, 2012, 06:50:13 AM

Rick, I have absolutely no experience with these windows if they are not installed directly into an original window. I dropped off my old windows at the factory and four hours later picked up 4 side windows, door window/slider and new drivers window. Installing the door and drivers windows was also a piece of cake once you cleaned the old openings.

If you have to cut or modify anything, I would contact Motion windows and make sure you are doing it correctly.

Grant

luvrbus · March 13, 2012, 06:59:51 AM

If you get frames from peninsula most of the time it does require some cutting took me forever on the Eagle

RickB · March 13, 2012, 07:37:15 AM

Grant, I wish I lived close enough to have done it that way... Sounds like a much better plan.

I remember being at our cabin when we did this and actually tag teaming this project with a friend. One would cut for awhile, then the other, etc. I vaguely remember it was hot and it being strenuous enough that we both had to jump in the lake to cool off and thinking... sheesh! some people do 6 or 8 of these? Wow! that's hard work.

If you could find a machine shop with a big enough bandsaw to fit the entire window frame in it you may be able to shorten the process considerably.

Let us know how it ends up...
Rick