I want frameless windows on my '49 and I'm trying to research the best way to do this. I like the idea of the newer cars having that "automatic window-down/up" feature when the door is opened/closed. I have a picture of one but I don't have the option to share it on here. Does anyone have any ideas or info you wouldn't mind sharing. Any problems other than leaks/wind noise?

 

Just uploaded a picture in my album of what i'm kinda going for.

 

IMO these trucks were designed to have a full-framed door...the design of cars with frameless door glass was driven by a desire to have the roof line appear to be very thin and the "greenhouse" to be virtually all glass. As has been said before, just because something CAN be done doesn't necessarily mean that it SHOULD.

 

Opinion much appreciated but to each his own I guess. Lol

 

Assuming that you are convinced that this is the way you want to go and that you have the metalworking skils to fabricate the mating surfaces on the roof/A-pillars and to redesign the existing window channels in the doors, the rest is just an electrical control system issue. There will need to be a couple of sensors and a controller; one sensor to tell the controller when the door is closed and one to tell the controller when the door is being opened. Assuming an initial state of the door being closed and the window in the full-up position, the controller must sense that either the interior or exterior door handle has been activated. At that time the controller sends a signal to the power window to drop a measured amount. This condition will persist until such time as the controller senses a signal from the "door closed" sensor upon such time the controller sends a new command to the power window system to raise the glass up to its full-up position. That is the basic design but I believe that you will find that there will be other refinements needed before you are satisfied with the overall system. One of these refinements may be how the door latch is actually released, if the latch is released immediately upon door handle activation then the door may open before the window has completely cleared the roof channel. A delay may be necessary in this case. This feature will add complexity to the system but I have to assume that you are up to the task since you opted to start on it in the first place...LOL

 

Not to be conceited at all, but I do have the fabrication skill and i'm aware how the system functions. Basically, I'm just researching what "system" would be appropriate. I know most new sports cars, for example, the Dodge Challenger, has this feature. It would just come down to making it functional with my particular application, right?

 

No reason it wouldn't work. I haven't seen anybody do it before so please document your process with pictures.

Are you thinking curved glass and reconfiguring the roof line or straight/flat glass lines that are similar to stock?

Interesting concept. I'll follow along........

 

The system that would be appropriate is the system you design and implement. I believe that trying to adopt a "system" from an existing vehicle would be foolhardy at best. The complexity of a late model BCM (body control module) controller would be far more difficult to adapt to your application than it would be to design/build a specific system for your truck. The devil is in the details...if you have the knowledge of the system functions then you should have what you need to build the system you need.

 

I cannot disagree with you one bit, CharlieLed. It's definitely going to be a long process of trial and error.

About the roof line, mtflat, my thought process was to use flat glass, and permanently mate the top window frame(after hacked off the door) to the roof line, so that original style weatherstripping could be adapted. I am going to chop the top so new glass would need to be cut anyway. The end result I am looking for is the old-original retro look, with a very modern, streetrod twist...if that makes sense.

 

HotRod_Guy49,

How about when you shut off the truck the windows go down... Use an alarm to roll up the windows when you arm it and down when you disarm...

 

Very good option, Moe Craig. I like how fast this response time feature is on these new cars though. It's "stealthy".