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sail panel windows

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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 03:23 AM
  #1  
87bluebird's Avatar
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From: middle of nowhere between farms in New York
Car: 1987 pontiac firebird
Engine: 6.5 turbo diesel
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: Ws6 axle
sail panel windows

has anyone ever put windows in the sail panels?
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000-1.jpg?t=1281254626

i know thats a structural area of the roof so you'd have to keep a reinforcement bar along the side by the door.
can this be done?
can it be done with windows that role up and down?
has anyone attempted this?
what would be a good vehicle to get the window from?
don't just say because i did.

and found 2 threads discussing this the first one is from 2001 and no one seemed to think it would work. Windows in Sail Panel?

the second thread i found is from 2005 and that guy was actually going to change the whole roof style. i was just thinking of adding a window. Should I put Quarter windows in my Bird?
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 08:51 AM
  #2  
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From: Delaware City, DE
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 89 Vette TPI 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: sail panel windows

That looks HORRIBLE!!!! Please dont do that to another F Body. What a waste.
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 09:02 AM
  #3  
TheMonster's Avatar
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From: Evansville, IN
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: Forged 355
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: sail panel windows

Wow...that is all I can say.
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 09:54 AM
  #4  
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Car: 1995 Formula; 1976 Trans Am
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Re: sail panel windows

There are so many way to tastefully modify and upgrade a car, I don't understand why folks look for wacky stuff like this to do.

Don't commit this styling crime! It looks terrible.
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 11:45 AM
  #5  
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
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Re: sail panel windows

I have to say I'm not fond of it either, but...

As you mention it's a huge structural issue. I think you'd definitely need subframe connectors installed before even thinking of it, as that's the area where the roofs crack even on the hardtop cars from the unibody twisting. The twisting occurs with normal driving, not just because of track torque - ever leave a parkinglot on an incline where you are turning onto a road that is level? You can feel the unibody twisting when that happens.

I'd also think a roll bar would be a necessity - even if just a simple 4pt like the light bars in the back of p/u trucks. You'd get squished for sure if you cut out that much pillar area and flipped.

And I'd think it would be much better if it was centered in the panel, not against the glass like that pic. Looks to me like that car would become a bathtub in a good rain!
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 11:55 AM
  #6  
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Axle/Gears: Ws6 axle
Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by camaronewbie
I have to say I'm not fond of it either, but...

As you mention it's a huge structural issue. I think you'd definitely need subframe connectors installed before even thinking of it, as that's the area where the roofs crack even on the hardtop cars from the unibody twisting. The twisting occurs with normal driving, not just because of track torque - ever leave a parkinglot on an incline where you are turning onto a road that is level? You can feel the unibody twisting when that happens.

I'd also think a roll bar would be a necessity - even if just a simple 4pt like the light bars in the back of p/u trucks. You'd get squished for sure if you cut out that much pillar area and flipped.

And I'd think it would be much better if it was centered in the panel, not against the glass like that pic. Looks to me like that car would become a bathtub in a good rain!
subframe connectors and a roll cage will go in my car. i am not sure if i will do a window here or not. that was just a quick Photoshop of a 96 grand am window. i am still not sure what would work best. and your right it should be centered.

and the top and bottom should line up with door window.
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 01:18 PM
  #7  
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From: colorado
Car: 84 Camaro, 90Firebird, 87Transmaro
Engine: custom 5.7, 5.0 , 6.5 Turbo diesel
Transmission: 4spd, auto, auto
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi
Re: sail panel windows

if you put a rollbar in the bar is going to be right where the window would be so whats the point?
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 01:42 PM
  #8  
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From: Somewhere around the South Side of Chicago just crusin' in one of the Niteriders
Car: 92RS 25th Anniv./88 IROC Z28 Vert
Engine: 305 TBI w/Tpi Air / 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4/700r4
Axle/Gears: Posi
Re: sail panel windows

IMHO it looks dumb. The flow of the car is thrown off by the sail panel window. Besides that there is more than enough glass on a thirdgen. Honestly I think GM had the design right and many owners try to improve on what GM did but really end up messing with a good thing.

Last edited by 86NiteRider; Aug 11, 2010 at 04:45 AM.
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 02:00 PM
  #9  
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Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:27
Re: sail panel windows

it looked retarded please do not attempt...
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 02:59 PM
  #10  
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Car: 1983 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28
Engine: Forged 355 with a GT45 turbo
Transmission: TKO 600
Axle/Gears: built 4th gen rear with 3.27s
Re: sail panel windows

DO NOT ATTEMPT................... looks so ghey.............
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 03:04 PM
  #11  
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Car: 85 IROC / 69 Firebird convertible
Engine: 5.0 / 350
Transmission: t-5 / WC t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 / 3.08
Re: sail panel windows

NO!
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 03:19 PM
  #12  
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Car: 1991 B4C-1991 RS
Engine: L98 5.7 TPI-LB9 5.0 TB
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: sail panel windows

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Honestly, it looks horrid, the lines dont match up, and it changes the whole look of the car, and definitely NOT for the better.
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 04:21 PM
  #13  
ericjon262's Avatar
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From: South Carolina
Car: 85 2M6, 87 'Bird 88 'burb
Engine: LX9, LG4, L05
Transmission: F23, 700r4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.63, 2.73, 4.10
Re: sail panel windows

if you can find windows that fit the body better, go for it, otherwise, it's a no go.
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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 03:30 PM
  #14  
IROC#1's Avatar
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From: Renton, WA
Car: 1988 IROC Z
Engine: 5.7 litre
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi with 4 wheel disc brakes
Re: sail panel windows

Thats the worst looking mod I have ever seen! It doesnt flow with the lines of the car. Your car will be worthless if you do this.
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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 09:52 PM
  #15  
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Car: 86-FireBird
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Re: sail panel windows

folks shouldn't judge it by his hack mspaint editing.

one of the mods did some nice ones like this for a hard top mod for the verts.



https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...-hard-top.html
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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 10:49 PM
  #16  
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From: Northern Ohio
Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by Gumby
folks shouldn't judge it by his hack mspaint editing.

one of the mods did some nice ones like this for a hard top mod for the verts.



https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...-hard-top.html
That might look better if the b-pillars on the roof were moved back.

Mathius
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 02:14 AM
  #17  
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From: So.west IN
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by Gumby
one of the mods did some nice ones like this for a hard top mod for the verts.
Which his car isn't one if, that is indeed his in the original post.

Not everyone cares for tacky, ugly mods just because it's different, it's not a matter of being closed minded. Not only is it ugly and unfitting to the design of the car overall (even in the good chop), it's useless.
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 02:33 PM
  #18  
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From: middle of nowhere between farms in New York
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Engine: 6.5 turbo diesel
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: Ws6 axle
Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by deadbird
Which his car isn't one if, that is indeed his in the original post.

Not everyone cares for tacky, ugly mods just because it's different, it's not a matter of being closed minded. Not only is it ugly and unfitting to the design of the car overall (even in the good chop), it's useless.

thats not my car. mine is a blue hardtop firebird. i did that quick photoshop to show what i was talking about so there would be no confusion. not that that is what it would end up looking like. but i guess everyone here loves there blindspot.

anyone that said it would look alright with a different window. can you do a photoshop of a window that looks goo to you.
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 02:49 PM
  #19  
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Car: 1995 Formula; 1976 Trans Am
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Re: sail panel windows

Do you have the skills necessary to perform this mod without it being a terrible hack job? I think even Foose would struggle with this one.
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 03:33 PM
  #20  
87bluebird's Avatar
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From: middle of nowhere between farms in New York
Car: 1987 pontiac firebird
Engine: 6.5 turbo diesel
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: Ws6 axle
Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by Bull
Do you have the skills necessary to perform this mod without it being a terrible hack job? I think even Foose would struggle with this one.
first off foose is an artist not a builder. and it wont take a lot of skill to get a window in there.
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 06:33 PM
  #21  
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Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by 87bluebird
it wont take a lot of skill to get a window in there.
True. It could be done with a piece of glass, a sawzall, and a couple tubes of silicone caulk.

But to do it properly, so it looks clean from the outside and the inside, is a different story.

That's why I asked if you had the skills for it.
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 06:38 PM
  #22  
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From: Phenix City, AL
Car: 91Z, 97RS, 99Z, 02Z
Engine: TPI 383 Vortec, 3800, LS1, LS1
Transmission: T56, 700R4, T56, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73, 3.43, 3.42, ?.??
Re: sail panel windows

Here's you an idea. Go make/find some of those magnetic windows Cheech and Chong used on their van in their "Up in Smoke" movie and whenever somebody starts busting your ***** to much, just drive outta sight and rip them off. Then drive back just as cool as ever. But on a serious note, with the roof line of a hard/T-top car it just doesn't flow. Now however that photochop with what looks to be a Monte roof and vert decklid, it does flow better. Would I care to do it, probably not, but it's your car. If you got the time, talent and wallet to do it, go for it. Be the first and prove all us wrong.
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 09:56 PM
  #23  
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Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by 87bluebird
but i guess everyone here loves there blindspot.
never had an issue. I'm never a rear seat passenger in my car. Not even an issue for my '71, I can look over my shoulder or, use the door rear view mirror.

To each their own though, you like it, go for it. F the negative comments, you only have to make you happy.
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 10:03 PM
  #24  
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From: Fayetteville, AR
Car: 88 Iroc-Z
Engine: 6.2 LS3
Transmission: 4L70E
Re: sail panel windows

I think it could be done tastefully, I'd like to see someone go for it
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 10:47 PM
  #25  
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From: middle of nowhere between farms in New York
Car: 1987 pontiac firebird
Engine: 6.5 turbo diesel
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: Ws6 axle
Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by deadbird
never had an issue. I'm never a rear seat passenger in my car. Not even an issue for my '71, I can look over my shoulder or, use the door rear view mirror.

To each their own though, you like it, go for it. F the negative comments, you only have to make you happy.
yeah you can bend and look around it but it would be nice to just turn your head and see whats coming down the hill at you.without leaning over the steering wheel. i am not sure i will do this or not. i am gonna do most of the other body mods i have planned first. and look to see if i can find a window that will look rite.
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 01:50 AM
  #26  
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Re: sail panel windows

Originally Posted by 87bluebird
but i guess everyone here loves there blindspot.
Ok I was wondering why you wanted to do this My first question is how long have you been driving this car? I am very **** about blindspots and have passed on many cars because I didn't like how I could see out of them. But when I bought my 97 camaro I got used to it after about 6 months of driving it, that car got totaled out in 2004 and I hadn't been in a Camaro since but when I picked up my 92 I never even noticed it I guess in the 6 years since I was last in a F-body I was still used to the blindspot even though it was a different generation car. In all reality between the mirrors and the large hatchglass I don't think there is a very big blindspot at all, it's just different and not like any other car. I have never read about anyone else on this board who has a problem with the blindspot so I would just give it some time drive it do other mods and I'm sure by that time it won't bother you anymore since you will be used to it just like all of us have done.
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