Hello

I have a TD4 3 dr commercial van, the last owner had put clear side quarter windows in, removing the solid plates.

I have the solid plates and was wondering how to 'refit' them in place of the clear windows?

I notice that there are about 7 or 8 bolt holes all around the solid plates, but don't see anywhere to attach them on the inside of the bodywork??

Is this an easy job or not?

Has anyone done this & can you advise with pictures at all?

Cheers

Is this the side windows in the removable hardback, or in the bodyshell between the b and c pillars?

Cheers

Blippie

Here they are in pictures.

They are the ones from the main bodywork, not the removable hardtop.

What adhesive or mastic should I use to re-attach them properly?

Something really waterproof and strong, like Araldite or similar.

I was told by the last owner:

Place a silicon bead around the outer window cavity, once bead is firmly in place firmly press the panels into place, temporarily fix bolts to rear of panels, secure wire between the two panels using the bolts attached on each panel, wind wire tight ensuring panels are aligned, allow mastic to cure before removing wire and bolts.

Is there any other way of doing it, say one at a time or do they have to be done together?

I presume I will have to clean all the 'old' mastic from the outer edge of each panel. (see pic)

Thanks

Windscreen bond may be best, try a local screen fitters.

The bolt holes and studs aren't used to fix them.

Remove the excess old mastic and apply a bead of Tec7 or CT1 industrial adhesive. The metal panels sit recessed (not flush like the glass)

Great where can I get Tec7 or CT1 industrial adhesive from?

Any local DIY shops or similar, how much too?

Thanks.

Couldn't find any tec7 or ct1, no-one seemed to have heard of it, let alone sell it!

Used some strong adhesive from B & Q instead.

Especially when the garage estimated it would cost me £100 for them to do the job!

Quite a messy job by all accounts, best to apply 6/7mm bead to panel & wait for it to become tacky before putting into place.

Prepped the panels, removed old mastic sealant adhesive, cleaned window frames.

Get someone to hold in place whilst I attached the bungee and string cords in place.

Attached 5 bolts to each panel, wound 3 wraps of string around each panel, then used bungee cords and extra string to pull panels together.

Put a couple of knots in the bungee cord to add more tension.

The top part of the panel is inclined to arch out, to follow the curvature of the body work.

Intuition tells me that both panels were originally connected via adjustable rods whilst in production.

Left everything to set overnight, I will see what happens.

Thanks for your replies.