Convertible rear window

[Das Delfin]

okay so my window is pretty much done. My car is an early model but the top has been replaced with an oem late model with the zip in window which happened in Sept of 1991. I've read about how the emiata window sucks so I'm trying to find the oem for cheap.

According to e30ic.com and realoem, the part number of the zip in window I need is 54318207804. The problem is $600 is way too expensive! My budget is 300 so if anyone has any suggestions that'd be great!

[rcsoundn1]

I to am looking into this. Mine is 1/2 toasted, and im not spending 600 on a new one. aftermarket is the only real option. Is yours a garage queen?

[Das Delfin]

nah it's my daily driver. I don't even have a garage. I saw a few windows with OEM parts numbers on the german ebay but they seemed kinda sketch. The emiata price is tempting.

[BECKSTER]

I was in the same shoes as you , and I couldn't find a true OEM replacement under 400$ so I went full retard and just replaced my whole top , I shoulda got the emiata window for cheap

[reelizmpro]

i have the emiata zip in window and it's great, especially for the price. Clean it often with clear plastic cleaner and use a soft towel to keep it from rubbing against itself when it's folded. Having a clear rear window is a lot nicer than a cloudy one. That really bothered me when I first got it.





The only thing that sucks is the border around it is smaller than the original opening so it doesn't look as clean as OEM.
I chose not to reuse the rubber trim that goes around the window.

[Das Delfin]

My rubber trim is cracking so I would have to remove it just like yours. Your pics look great. They're exactly what I was hoping to see. Looks like I'll be placing an order!

[jeffnhiscars]

.

Show us that seat fabric :)

[reelizmpro]

Here ya go...

[fuzzysux]

the emiata window is good. take the time to sew or re-use the factory clip to "lock in" the zipper area.

to avoid the mess from the above picture, get the contact cement in GEL form and use a "q-tip" to apply. this will give you a way cleaner line.

also put some paper over the window while you are doing this so you don't accidentally spill the glue onto your brand new window.

NEVER wipe the window when dirty/dry. always wash it. they all scratch pretty easily. be very careful with car covers.. and if you want, use a hand towel folded long-ways, dropped in while lowering the top - so that the top doesn't rub against itself while folded away.

[Das Delfin]

Well I just put in the emiata zip in window. Looks good! I'm not sure if I lined it up exactly correctly. There are no obvious wrinkles, but the window is lightly wrinkled form how it was shipped. I'm gonna let the car sit in the sun for a few days before sealing it to see if they get worked out. I ended up sewing the zippers shut at the end since I broke the OEM tabs getting them off. Probably going to order replacements because I don't trust that thread.

What made it easiest was marking the centers of the windows and then folding the top when zipping it in.. I almost broke the zipper on the top side trying to force it.. reminded me why I hate zippers!

Edit: after letting it sit, it looks like it is very slightly wrinkled at the top right and bottom left corners. You can't even tell in this picture. I'm not sure if it's enough to make me want to redo it... I haven't sealed it yet and it's sunny the next few days so we'll see

[McGyver]

I've put in a zip-in emiata window in my 89 vert, but am about to do a sew-in window on my 87 vert. Does anyone have any suggestions other than get a thimble and use the factory window holes? How do you suspend the window to keep from getting diagonal lines?

[Das Delfin]

So I've got the window in and glued. Has anyone used black silicone in addition to the contact cement to get a better seal? How well did it come out?

[McGyver]

I've put in a zip-in emiata window in my 89 vert, but am about to do a sew-in window on my 87 vert. Does anyone have any suggestions other than get a thimble and use the factory window holes? How do you suspend the window to keep from getting diagonal lines?

Well, I'm a little more than half way through sewing in the window. It's a complete PITA. There is no way around it, it just really sucks.

The old window fell out and the inner fabric strip fell out with it. So first thing was to pin and sew the fabric strip back in (took about 4 hours). Then cut the new window a little larger than the old window to account for shrinkage. Then ducktape the new window in place on the outside of the top. Then slide the window into the slot between the fabric strip and the top and re-tape. Then adjust the window around to be centered and re-tape. Then pin the fucking window. Then put a 6" bead of contact cement between the top and the window while sewing.

I'm not that fast at it and am working alone (get in the car, push needle through, get out, pull needle through, push needle back in, get in car, etc). It seems to take me about 30 minutes to do sew in about 4.5 feet of thread, and takes about 3 thread sections for 1/4 of the window. So if I can keep my speed up (and I wont be able to when i get to tough spots), it's about 6 hours of sewing for just putting the plastic in.

Bottom line? The job sucks and it's probably a better idea to just replace the top with one that has a zip-in window.

/rant.

[Das Delfin]

I was wondering how serious you were earlier. Half the reason I bought my car was because the top had a zip in window. Do you have any issues with the window creasing?

[McGyver]

I was wondering how serious you were earlier. Half the reason I bought my car was because the top had a zip in window. Do you have any issues with the window creasing?

I probably will, but I'm not sure yet. I ran out of thread and patience (and bent 2 needles and broke the supplied needle), so I'm going to get back to working on it today and hopefully get close to finishing. I sorta wish it looked nicer, but I'm selling the car and it's only getting a window so I can say that the top doesn't leak. I guess I'll take some pictures today to show my process.