Flawed Design? (Early vent windows)
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Great NW
Flawed Design? (Early vent windows)
Just my opinion...
The early '70's vent window frame/latch in our trucks is just generally a flawed design. It may be the same for the later '70's trucks too, though I don't have any practical experience with these.
My specific issue with these vent windows is that over time, it becomes increasingly hard to keep the window shut because the latching mechanism bends inward toward the driver. In order to circumvent this problem in my '74, I have had to wedge items between the latch and the frame. Although it is effective, it is an eyesore for an otherwise nice interior.
AND, the vents are not particularly secure. It is soooo easy to pop them open from the outside to gain entry to the truck. Not good.
Is there a better way? Can better vent windows be retrofitted into these trucks? What are you doing about this?
The early '70's vent window frame/latch in our trucks is just generally a flawed design. It may be the same for the later '70's trucks too, though I don't have any practical experience with these.
My specific issue with these vent windows is that over time, it becomes increasingly hard to keep the window shut because the latching mechanism bends inward toward the driver. In order to circumvent this problem in my '74, I have had to wedge items between the latch and the frame. Although it is effective, it is an eyesore for an otherwise nice interior.
AND, the vents are not particularly secure. It is soooo easy to pop them open from the outside to gain entry to the truck. Not good.
Is there a better way? Can better vent windows be retrofitted into these trucks? What are you doing about this?
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From: waco
As far as the security issue, I think some of the 78 and 79's had locks on the vent windows. If the doors are the same from 73 to 79, then you should be able to put the 78 or 79 model vent window in your truck pretty easy. I've got a 73 and I'm not real thrilled with my vent window security either. Here shortly I'll start researching retrofitting the later model windows and I'll let you know if I find anything interesting.
Doc
Doc
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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The same vent window was used in the newer U-Haul truck I drove yesterday. I don't know what year it was tho. If someone wants in your truck they can get in easy whether you have a vent window or not. They sell emergency glass breakers in convenience stores for a couple of bucks if a brick is not handy. The push button locks on the vent window is easy to defeat.
btw- Other car manufacturers used the same setup. I had a 68 Mopar that someone removed the vent window from in a hospital parking lot while I was inside at the doctor's office. They &#*@$#*% were "nice" and left all the hardware. They just wanted the glass. It took a few phone calls and $25 to find a replacement. Probably was some jerk with a broken vent window sitting waiting for someone that had the same model car and saw an easy way to get a new window.
btw- Other car manufacturers used the same setup. I had a 68 Mopar that someone removed the vent window from in a hospital parking lot while I was inside at the doctor's office. They &#*@$#*% were "nice" and left all the hardware. They just wanted the glass. It took a few phone calls and $25 to find a replacement. Probably was some jerk with a broken vent window sitting waiting for someone that had the same model car and saw an easy way to get a new window.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 620
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From: USA
I'm using a couple stacked nickels for my wedge. Can hardly tell anything is in there, plus since they are shiny like the the part of the vent window frame it makes it even less noticeable. Ok, now you all know my 10 cent fix 
I still rather have the problem than no vent windows like today trucks.
I still rather have the problem than no vent windows like today trucks.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Yes, very poor design.
My truck has been broke into 3 times through the vent window.
$550.00 a pop.
Do this:
Go get yourself some Alarm Warning Stickers & place them on the vent windows.
This should make a crook think twice about using that as an entry.
Like Eric stated, if they want in, they will get in.
If they think an alarm will go off,they may think twice.
About the cosmetics for this window.
Try and find a hardly used Vent window frame.
The mounting stud should have little wear .
Make sure the clevis pin you have fits snugly.
This is the best anyone can do
The perfect latch would have a turn-screw closure system.
My truck has been broke into 3 times through the vent window.
$550.00 a pop.
Do this:
Go get yourself some Alarm Warning Stickers & place them on the vent windows.
This should make a crook think twice about using that as an entry.
Like Eric stated, if they want in, they will get in.
If they think an alarm will go off,they may think twice.
About the cosmetics for this window.
Try and find a hardly used Vent window frame.
The mounting stud should have little wear .
Make sure the clevis pin you have fits snugly.
This is the best anyone can do
The perfect latch would have a turn-screw closure system.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,335
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From: waco
I've got to agree with Dennis and Eric....If a crook wants in he will get in no matter what you do. That's just a cold hard fact of life. All the locking mechanisms do is keep the honest people honest.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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At least if they open the vent window they don't break the window as well as steal your stuff or truck. If you remove the glass you can bend the mounting stud slightly to give a better fit to the latch.
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The last time it happened got me the worst.
Not only did they spring the vent window frame hinge,they damaged the main vent frame .
I took it to the dealership for repair after letting them know to order another & *have it painted black* ready for installation.
Well the day they called to say bring it in,the frame was still in primer & I ended up putting it in myself as the trim guy didn't have a clue how to do it.
This was in 1997.
I back-billed the dealership the amount they charged me for labour & actually received it.
Since I put the stickers on there...no problems
Not only did they spring the vent window frame hinge,they damaged the main vent frame .
I took it to the dealership for repair after letting them know to order another & *have it painted black* ready for installation.
Well the day they called to say bring it in,the frame was still in primer & I ended up putting it in myself as the trim guy didn't have a clue how to do it.
This was in 1997.
I back-billed the dealership the amount they charged me for labour & actually received it.
Since I put the stickers on there...no problems
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Location, Location.
I love my window vents.
First, they are reminders of a lost society in which your vehicle didn't have to be Fort Knox in order for it not to be broken into every second trip to the grocery store. Thankfully there a re still a few exceptional places in North American this is still true, and I live in one and leaving the vents wide open lets me live in my fantasy that not everything good from 1960 has been lost.
Second, where else are you going to get a vent that is infinitely variable from sucking out cab air, to blowing air in.
First, they are reminders of a lost society in which your vehicle didn't have to be Fort Knox in order for it not to be broken into every second trip to the grocery store. Thankfully there a re still a few exceptional places in North American this is still true, and I live in one and leaving the vents wide open lets me live in my fantasy that not everything good from 1960 has been lost.
Second, where else are you going to get a vent that is infinitely variable from sucking out cab air, to blowing air in.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Plus you have to give the designers credit, it can't be much of a flawed design, hell the trucks are 25-30 years old!!! Give the designers a break here. Everybody always complains about the electrical systems in these old trucks, -but again they were not designed to last more than 5-10 years which was all that was economically possible to do at the time.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
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From: Great NW
Originally Posted by jstandle
I'm using a couple stacked nickels for my wedge. Can hardly tell anything is in there, plus since they are shiny like the the part of the vent window frame it makes it even less noticeable. Ok, now you all know my 10 cent fix
Originally Posted by 66f14evr
There is a place in the states that can do the one piece window.Very expensive.$1800 per door and you have to ship the door to them.If I can find the the site again I will post it.
