Window install questions

redtop · 10-09-2013, 05:39 AM

I'm about to install a crank out window on the driver side of my Chevy Express. The window I got is from CR Lawrence, the one that is the all glass look. I understand the way it mounts in the hole thru the van side but how do you deal with the gap between the outer van skin, the insulation and the inner finished wall? I'll take off the interior carpeted wall to cut the hole. Do you fill that gap with a wood spacer trim and then put the mounting flange over the interior carpet? Or what? If someone has a picture of their finished trimmed window I'd appreciate it along with a description of what you did. I'm a cabinetmaker so I'm not concerned about being able to do it I just want to get it right. Thanks.

dhally · 10-09-2013, 03:00 PM

Here is a window casing. This one was hand made from plywood. (with help from a CNC machine.)

Here are some after upholstery

schluchtenflitzer · 10-10-2013, 12:25 AM

@dhally:

Your work is amazing!

redtop · 10-10-2013, 05:30 AM

Thanks dhally, how did you attach that frame to the window?

dhally · 10-10-2013, 09:34 AM

I would love to take credit for this work, but it was done by Van Specialties. I'm pretty sure the windows are attached to the van body. The window liner is attached to the interior wall panel. I don't know if the liner is actually attached to the window, it may just be a tight fit.

calebmogul · 10-22-2013, 09:10 PM

Hey Red Top,

I installed a cr Lawrence window in my van this past winter. I used 1x2 in" wood to build a "picture frame" that would be used as a "spacer"between the sheet metal and the window casing. With the wood you can make some secondary cuts/rips to work around areas in the van wall that are single sheet vs. double sheet metal. I had a 2" wide window frame, so the wood filled the gap between the van wall and the window casing. The wood is not screwed in, the window screws together. The compression of the outer and inner window casing around the wood sucks it all together. Since I didn't think it through enough before I started, I had to quickly fabricate the wood in order to get a strong seal before the auto caulking cured! Total shit show, but inevitably the window works great and is leak free. After window installation was completed, I came back and replaced the pine with some hard wood and did some work on the rounded window corners. I'd post some pics but my van is at U-Joint getting 4x4! Will try to post some pics when I get the van back. It's important to know what kind of interior paneling you will use before you buy the window.

Where did you find that bench seat? Discount vans? I imagine it folds into bed?

caleb

dhally · 10-23-2013, 10:32 AM

The bench seat was fabricated by Van Specialties from 1" steel tubing. They buy the roll over mechanism somewhere(?).

calebmogul · 10-23-2013, 11:36 AM

Thanks Dhally, I'll check it out....

redtop · 10-25-2013, 06:04 AM

Thanks Calebmogul I'd like to see a picture of your work.