Econoline Window Shades/Cover

ScrapIron

Senior Member
Joined
May 18, 2021
Posts
445
I have searched the forum for window shade suggestions but have been unable to locate good quality effective shades for my 2005 E350. Many of the links people have posted no longer work because they were on ebay, Overland no longer seems to be making or selling windsheild covers. (maybe they never did?)

Does anyone on the forum have a nice pair or know of a company that sells quality covers? I only need the front windshield and the two front door covers.

These look like nice covers but there is no matching front windshield cover.
https://vanncamp.com/accessories-fo...attribute_pa_insulation=4-season&gad_source=1

This looks like a decent windsield cover but tehre are no side window covers.
 
I really like the windshield shades that go on the outside instead of the inside. They provide a better sun block and leave the cab area inside completely open.. retains a little more interior room.

61j256DWyHL._AC_SL1000_.jpg
 
I ordered a set from SOKOZI Window Covers out of Canada. I started with the set of 3 for the front of the van, and followed up trying to get the rear and 40/60 window covers. Ran into a snag on the rear and sides, They don't have templates for Sportsmobile vans, it sounds like SMB may have had their own plastic shrouds made for the factory conversions. I offered for them to use my '03 as a guinea pig, but we haven't crossed paths yet.

I love the front covers though. Customer service is top notch, quality is amazing, and the covers were delivered with a storage bag, and amazing homemade cookies! ;) C'mon....really!!!

 
I really like the windshield shades that go on the outside instead of the inside. They provide a better sun block and leave the cab area inside completely open.. retains a little more interior room.

View attachment 1068597

I use that style also. Only takes a couple minutes ti install or put away. One drawback is that it's usually covered in dew in the morning, but putting it away wet hasn't hurt it yet. I do dry it off as soon as it's practical.

Amazon Link

I guess this is the only pic I have of it installed...

20241206_081008.jpg
 
I really like the windshield shades that go on the outside instead of the inside. They provide a better sun block and leave the cab area inside completely open.. retains a little more interior
I really like the windshield shades that go on the outside instead of the inside. They provide a better sun block and leave the cab area inside completely open.. retains a little more interior room.

View attachment 1068597
That looks like a nice cover for a vehicle that is stationary the majority of the time, however i travel alot and am also in and out of the vehicle constantly. That said i dont think that is what im looking for exactly even though it appears to be a nice product.
 
I ordered a set from SOKOZI Window Covers out of Canada. I started with the set of 3 for the front of the van, and followed up trying to get the rear and 40/60 window covers. Ran into a snag on the rear and sides, They don't have templates for Sportsmobile vans, it sounds like SMB may have had their own plastic shrouds made for the factory conversions. I offered for them to use my '03 as a guinea pig, but we haven't crossed paths yet.

I love the front covers though. Customer service is top notch, quality is amazing, and the covers were delivered with a storage bag, and amazing homemade cookies! ;) C'mon....really!!!

These appear to be more of what im looking for. How do they stay in place, meaning what holds them in place? Suction cups, velcro, or magnets?
 
Love the ones I got from Rolef in Canada when I had them make my side and rear door magnet screens the windshield one just fits perfectly and connects just around the rearview mirror and the side windows are magnetic and zip open to screens pricey but real nice
 
Personally, I use an exterior version similar to what members kbeefy & N147JK described = they keep a lot more heat outside. Once the sun hits & heats up any window it radiates inside...that heat doesn't magically escape, you'd have to vent it somehow, The exterior covers drastically reduce interior heat and only take a minute to apply...JMHO
quite a few Econoline covers available out there:

Etsy offers numerous options as well:

Some Threads that may provide insight:


A Google search would reveal more I'm sure.
 
Once the sun hits & heats up any window it radiates inside...that heat doesn't magically escape, you'd have to vent it somehow,
I also read somewhere that the heat trapped between the glass and the reflector can lead to a broken windshield. I don't know how true that is.
 
Personally, I use an exterior version similar to what members kbeefy & N147JK described = they keep a lot more heat outside. Once the sun hits & heats up any window it radiates inside...that heat doesn't magically escape, you'd have to vent it somehow, The exterior covers drastically reduce interior heat and only take a minute to apply...JMHO
quite a few Econoline covers available out there:

Etsy offers numerous options as well:

Some Threads that may provide insight:


A Google search would reveal more I'm sure.
I spend most of my time in the midwest. With that said you never know what the weather is going to do on a day to day basis. One day it might be 80 degrees and calm, then by morning the temps have dropped 15 to 20 degrees with 40 mph winds and rain .

I dont doubt they work great in terms of keeping the heat out, i just dont see them being a practical in my case. The winds around here throw the big 50 gallon city trash cans down the middle of the streets on the regular so i know these would likely be as much of a nuisance as they are a benefit.
 
Try Heatshield for a slightly simpler version of the shades. They are insulated, fit in place and stay in place without the suction cups, and have held up for about 3 years in SoCal sun with only slight fading. I’ve got them on all but the rear windows of my 2014 E-350 and they custom make them for a variety of vans and other vehicles. They typically throw out a 5% off coupon near major holidays.

 
I have searched the forum for window shade suggestions but have been unable to locate good quality effective shades for my 2005 E350. Many of the links people have posted no longer work because they were on ebay, Overland no longer seems to be making or selling windsheild covers. (maybe they never did?)

Does anyone on the forum have a nice pair or know of a company that sells quality covers? I only need the front windshield and the two front door covers.

These look like nice covers but there is no matching front windshield cover.
https://vanncamp.com/accessories-fo...attribute_pa_insulation=4-season&gad_source=1

This looks like a decent windsield cover but tehre are no side window covers.
It just so happens that this is my gig!


I don't have a windshield cover yet but the design is in the works.

I can also build custom covers if you have aftermarket windows.
 
It just so happens that this is my gig!


I don't have a windshield cover yet but the design is in the works.

I can also build custom covers if you have aftermarket windows.
Those look like nice shades but i absolutely must have one for the front windshield as well. My Dogs go with me everyplace and im overworking the A/C trying to battle the heat coming threw the front windows.
 
I have searched the forum for window shade suggestions but have been unable to locate good quality effective shades for my 2005 E350. Many of the links people have posted no longer work because they were on ebay, Overland no longer seems to be making or selling windsheild covers. (maybe they never did?)

Does anyone on the forum have a nice pair or know of a company that sells quality covers? I only need the front windshield and the two front door covers.

These look like nice covers but there is no matching front windshield cover.
https://vanncamp.com/accessories-fo...attribute_pa_insulation=4-season&gad_source=1

This looks like a decent windsield cover but tehre are no side window covers.

I have the Vanncamp insulating covers, and they work amazing, especially when trying to be stealth I.E. Wally World lotdocking en route... The windshield and doors should be the same on all 4th Gen E Series...

The Windshield cover is listed, you must have missed it...


Door side window covers of course...

The day / night shades in the back are a HUGE problem though! And nobody seems to make a cover for the sliding door window...

Something to note. there are 2 sizes to the windshield covers, and for some reason they list them on Amazon as 3 season but they insulate just fine... I got the taller version, I have to smoosh a bit at the top but it does a GREAT job blocking light coming in or out of the van as well as insulating. Keeps it nice and comfy.
 
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Those look like nice shades but i absolutely must have one for the front windshield as well. My Dogs go with me everyplace and im overworking the A/C trying to battle the heat coming threw the front windows.
That absolutely makes sense! I can keep you posted when we finalize the design for the windshield cover. My husband is working on engineering the mounting options.
 
It just so happens that this is my gig!


I don't have a windshield cover yet but the design is in the works.

I can also build custom covers if you have aftermarket windows.
Do you have a cover for the sliding door pop out window? A good number of these Econoline vans were shipped with Sliding doors. Like mine...
 
I have the Vanncamp insulating covers, and they work amazing, especially when trying to be stealth I.E. Wally World lotdocking en route... The windshield and doors should be the same on all 4th Gen E Series...

The Windshield cover is listed, you must have missed it...


Door side window covers of course...

The day / night shades in the back are a HUGE problem though! And nobody seems to make a cover for the sliding door window...

Something to note. there are 2 sizes to the windshield covers, and for some reason they list them on Amazon as 3 season but they insulate just fine... I got the taller version, I have to smoosh a bit at the top but it does a GREAT job blocking light coming in or out of the van as well as insulating. Keeps it nice and comfy.

Just curious, are you using those Van Camp covers with just bare metal windows or do you have factory plastic or some other custom shroud? I'm also curious how well the semi-rigid foam is holding up for you. For our first iteration of front covers, we used a semi-rigid foam, but it has proven to deteriorate over time, so I prefer not to make those. That's why I switched to a soft insulation.

As far as the accordion shades, I spoke to my customer that mounted my window covers behind the accordion shades, and he says they are working great! So there's another option for you, that you can keep the accordion shades in place instead of replacing them so that you have the option to use either one depending on your use case. I just asked him for some photos so I will post those soon.

And to answer your other question, yes I do make a cover for the sliding door window! I need to do a little work on improving the navigability of my website (and adding better photos), but through the drop-down menus, it's there:
 

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Front door window covers just magnet on to the metal door frames. Windshield just slides in like an oversized bubble wrap windshield cover. Except this is form fitted side to side, just a bit tall so I smoosh it down under the visors. Blocks incoming and outgoing light which is awesome.
 
I have the Vanncamp insulating covers, and they work amazing, especially when trying to be stealth I.E. Wally World lotdocking en route... The windshield and doors should be the same on all 4th Gen E Series...

The Windshield cover is listed, you must have missed it...


Door side window covers of course...

The day / night shades in the back are a HUGE problem though! And nobody seems to make a cover for the sliding door window...

Something to note. there are 2 sizes to the windshield covers, and for some reason they list them on Amazon as 3 season but they insulate just fine... I got the taller version, I have to smoosh a bit at the top but it does a GREAT job blocking light coming in or out of the van as well as insulating. Keeps it nice and comfy.

Yes they list it, but they dont actually have the insulated front windshield shade. Unfortunately its been marked out of stock. They do have the uninsulated version however. If they had the inulated version i would have ordered from them simply due to the cost savings when compared to the other brands.
 

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