obzezzed350 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 hey guys, what do you some of you do for side windows on your race car if you use an open trailer, if anything at all, to prevent rain and what not from getting in? Looking for ideas, thanks Joseph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 alot of people I know drop the stock window back into the rails and use some kind of clip/pin arrangement to hold it in place in the up position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obzezzed350 Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 The Z could be tricky as the windows are frameless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 you just need a bit of the rail to hold the sides and the clip/pins hold the window up. Its not an insurmountable obstacle - I've seen people do that setup with framed and frameless windows - seems to work better with frameless as its easier to get the window in and out. You can't slam it like its a stock setup, but it will stay in place and keep rain/bugs/etc out of the car. I left my windows and window mechanisms completely intact fwiw. When I tear this current cage out I'll go to the clip/pin arrangement and I've got frameless windows too... so.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vpnwiz Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 The Miata has little (fixed) triangle windows at the very front of the door with a short track for the front of the glass. It's otherwise frameless. When I bought the car the original glass was with it and held in just by friction... you would line up the glass by hand as you shut the door and then latch it with your knee. It actually worked pretty well to keep rain out. Even worked during transport. Until one track day at Mid O I put the drivers side glass on the pavement and it just exploded. Must have been a sharp stone or something, went right into the edge of it. I decided to do Lexan after that. Problem with Lexan is it's too flexible unless you go fairly thick. As a result it will bow in from the pressure unless you make some supports for the inside or clips to hold it in place. When transporting (I've got an open trailer too) it tends to slip about halfway down. As long as you are on the higway rain doesn't get in though. I've also seen some of the Miata guys screw a 2x4 to the inside of their door so it can't slip down. Talk about a simple solution. Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbuskuhl Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Nothing at all. What happens when you race in the rain? A little water won't hurt if you have the car setup right (interior gutted, electrical off the floor, etc). I've towed through horrific down pours. Put a trash bag over the seat if it's pouring, the rest will dry out in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vpnwiz Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Nothing at all. What happens when you race in the rain? A little water won't hurt if you have the car setup right (interior gutted, electrical off the floor, etc). I've towed through horrific down pours. Put a trash bag over the seat if it's pouring, the rest will dry out in no time. I dunno about that... while towing, yes I agree with you. The biggest problem comes when it's just sitting. I've got so much electronics in my car - radios, Traqmate, computer hooked up to MegaSquirt, video camera, on and on... - I've towed a few times in the rain and it's been "OK". But when you stop if it's really coming down (like... almost every time I go to Road Atlanta ) the inside can get soaked in no time flat if you aren't hustling ass to get the car cover on. And then you eventually have to park, back up, pull forward, go somewhere else, etc etc I know I found out the hard way I definitely need side windows for transport and parking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dainbramage Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Here's how my SM is setup (91'). It was this way when I bought it. This is at the bottom of the factory window. It used to have a little red rubber deal on it, but it fell off. I have no idea what the stock unit looks like, but I'm pretty sure you can use the factory hardware to do all of this. Here's where the tab show above will slide into. Once again, factory parts. They obviously installed a nut and bolt a couple of inches down. If you plan to do this, make sure to do some measuring so you don't crack the glass when you shut the door for the first time. Just align the glass in the front: Line up the rear tab: Slide the window down, shut the door, and push up on the window lightly to make sure it's as sealed as possible. You're done: Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b13ser Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 You can completely remove all window guides and tracks and use a rubber wedge against the door and glass. This works best if you still have the belt moldings. ( the horizontal ones on the edge of the door where it meets the glass) I am using a couple of soft rubber door stops that I found at Lowes. Place glass in the door and jam the wedge in there. Snug and secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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