Alpine windows

[Escargo]

Were alpine windows ever present on a plain hardtop? Or were they only put on station wagon tops? Can somebody gve me a quick description of the install? What tools are needed, etc.
Hans

[cedryck]

I believe they were only avaliable on the top with the extra sheet of metal on top. sometimes called a deluxe top, I have never seen the elongated alpine windows on a standard top.

[John O from Jersey]

Likewise I think they only came with Tropical Tops BUT, I added them to my "plain" top and I love them. You need to carefully measure the holes though. I made mine a shade too small creating LOTS of angst getting them in. I finally got a good measurement from someone with a stock roof that had the glass out. Wish I still had the numbers for you but I can't find them. Someone here might help. I then found a very friendly auto glass guy who widened the holes for me and installed the glass. He did it dirt cheap because he thought the truck was cool :-). I'm very glad I hit the E-Z button on that though.

If you DIY, you'll need one of these tools for the locking strip: http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-47000-Windshield-Locking-Strip/dp/B000COA1CQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337351212&sr=8-2

I'd mail you mine but I gave it to the glass guy as a gift for doing such a great job.

Good luck.

JO

[yorker]

http://www.seriestrek.com/headliner.html There are(were?) a couple write ups on the net- google "alpine window install" or something similar. A LOT of people have added them to the standard hard tops.

[Escargo]

Didn't get much from Google, Yorker, but did learn there is a window company named Alpine. I thought some guys here on the forum were loaning/borrowing templates awhile back.
If you knew exactly how much bigger the hole is (than the glass) couldn't you use the glass as the template?
Hans

[yorker]

Yes that is pretty much how you do it. I know the how to's are out there because I think I've asked this question at least 3 times in the last 15 years or so. My windows still sit in the attic of the garage though. ;) One forum had the tool for loan to its members maybe Guns and Rovers?

http://forums.roversnorth.com/showthread.php?6811-Adding-Alpine-Windows

http://gunsandrovers.yuku.com/topic/756

http://gunsandrovers.yuku.com/topic/4736/Alpine-Windows

http://gunsandrovers.yuku.com/topic/5375

[crankin]

Yes that is pretty much how you do it. I know the how to's are out there because I think I've asked this question at least 3 times in the last 15 years or so. My windows still sit in the attic of the garage though. ;) One forum had the tool for loan to its members maybe Guns and Rovers?

http://forums.roversnorth.com/showthread.php?6811-Adding-Alpine-Windows

http://gunsandrovers.yuku.com/topic/756

http://gunsandrovers.yuku.com/topic/4736/Alpine-Windows

http://gunsandrovers.yuku.com/topic/5375

Well, now, see you spilled the beans on having a set sitting around in the attic!

[yorker]

I think they are one of the first accesories I bought and they'll end up being the last ones I install. ;)

[crankin]

I think they are one of the first accesories I bought and they'll end up being the last ones I install. ;)

I have thrown the idea around for the past four years but never settled on if I wanted to do it. Is there a huge improvement on the over all "ambiance" in the back for me and my lady friend?

[stonefox]

Is there a huge improvement on the over all "ambiance" in the back for me and my lady friend?
Are you kidding?.... The next best thing would be to have Barry White or Al Green whispering in your lady friends ear. Those alpine windows are total chick magnets.....or so I'm told.

[crankin]

Are you kidding?.... The next best thing would be to have Barry White or Al Green whispering in your lady friends ear. Those alpine windows are total chick magnets.....or so I'm told.

Oh man! My old lady is going to be so jealous!

[Escargo]

Thanks Yorker, All good info on those links. I also wondered if the installation required one to work from the inside. Seeing as my top is on the ground in a shed as of yesterday, it would have been a pain to work from the inside. I'm sure by next winter my headliner will be full of mouse crap/piss and will have to redo that anyway. At $150 apiece for the glass from our hosts, maybe I'll do some shopping around first.
Thanks again, Hans