Front Passenger Slider Window Handle

[JudgesArgosy]

Does anyone know where I can find one of these? I added a couple pictures of the drivers side handle I do have. According to Inland its NOT an AS part? Guess its a GM part? Regardless of who makes it, I have a hard time opening window without it.
Matt

[Splitrock]

Maybe just make one? Looks like a pretty simple part. I have a friend who milled a matching highway peg with diamond pattern for a Harley Davidson. This can be made from aluminum stock on a milling machine. Any fair to good machinest could make it.

[mprokop87]

Let me know if you get some as I am missing a few in my Argosy. I would be interested in buying some as well.

Matt

[bkahler]

Wow, two Matt's with Argosies!

So that's what the holes in my cockpit slider windows are for I have different handles on the sliders. I'll have to get pictures today and post them.

Matt, if you could post dimensions of the handles I will see about making some. I'm not worried about the angle itself as I can get that off my window.

Thanks!

Brad

[WineStream]

Originally Posted by JudgesArgosy

Does anyone know where I can find one of these? I added a couple pictures of the drivers side handle I do have. According to Inland its NOT an AS part? Guess its a GM part? Regardless of who makes it, I have a hard time opening window without it.
Matt

Hi Matt:

It may be that in '74 they did the window latch a little different, but it looks to me like yours is already a custom-made replacement machined out of a piece of angle aluminum. Yours does not appear to lock, which seems weird for Airstream to have done that. The ones on mine don't lock well, if at all, so perhaps a previous owner of yours recognized the same thing and just did away with the whole lock itself.

I had some issues with the window latches on my '77 but all of the window latches on mine are of the type described here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...tch-72981.html. Note that Andy commented a couple of times in the thread and said that the latch was available and the base plate might be available. In the end, you can see in the thread that I managed to repair what I had rather than replace.

[bkahler]

Jason, I'm not so sure the early Argosy's had handles like the later coaches did. Here is what I have in my 74 Argosy.



I don't believe the handle itself is original but the pin latch I believe is. Both of my front cockpit sliders have one hole in the middle on the front edge which is where I think the original handle went. I think for some reason a PO got creative and added the handles at the trailing edge. No idea why they might have done so.

I am tempted to make two handles like the example that Matt has shown because that would make the windows a lot easier to open up. The handle as it is now on my coach doesn't allow the window lock to work. If those L shaped handles were gone and I had handles installed like Matt has shown then I would be able to open, close and lock the windows.

Brad

[JudgesArgosy]

Thanks for the Comments!

Brad, the dimentions for handle are 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" at top 1 1/4" at bottom x 1/4'' thick. also notice grove for glass in picture.

Jason, My Argosy has the locks in the rear of window, handle in front. This whole setup has been a mystery to me because the holes in handle seem to be the same as the lock and bracket setup in rear of window but I have no holes in glass for through bolts? My handles appeared to be siliconed to glass? Dispite what Andy says I think they are factory original, maybe changed in later production? As I found out in another thread my Argosy is eariliest known. (vin#m24t4v0058) I doubt the original owner had custom handles made (then lost one) but I could be wrong? He left me a complete unmolested RV that looked like it did in 1974! I have since replaced carpet, put some covers over cushions, and painted wallpaper to make wife happy.

[WineStream]

Yes, it appears from Brad's '74 and yours that the locking mechanism and handles were factory-different from my '77.

[mprokop87]

Here is what the latch looks like from my 76. I am missing the ones from both front windows but the pin in tact is from the one above the sink.

[JudgesArgosy]

Great to see what others have, thanks Brad!

Im missing the drivers side bracket, but held drivers handle to passenger bracket and all 3 holes line up. The handle still doesnt seem to match because of the angle and the grove wont let it sit flush against bracket. It appears to be groved specifically for front of glass?

Matt

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by JudgesArgosy

Thanks for the Comments!

Brad, the dimentions for handle are 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" at top 1 1/4" at bottom x 1/4'' thick. also notice grove for glass in picture.

Looks like they can be made from 2-1/2" angle that is 1/4" thick. I'll check my supplier and see if he can get me a foot or so. Assuming I can get the material I would be more than happy to make up a couple of sets. I doubt that I could make it look exactly like the one you have but I'm pretty sure I could at least make a matching pair that would look ok.

Jason, My Argosy has the locks in the rear of window, handle in front. This whole setup has been a mystery to me because the holes in handle seem to be the same as the lock and bracket setup in rear of window but I have no holes in glass for through bolts? My handles appeared to be siliconed to glass? Dispite what Andy says I think they are factory original, maybe changed in later production? As I found out in another thread my Argosy is eariliest known. (vin#m24t4v0058) I doubt the original owner had custom handles made (then lost one) but I could be wrong? He left me a complete unmolested RV that looked like it did in 1974! I have since replaced carpet, put some covers over cushions, and painted wallpaper to make wife happy.

I agree, I think your setup is original. It all makes sense to me after you posted that last picture showing the flat plate. I think the arrangement for 74 was the flat plate using the pin in the frame as a lock and the angle handle that was in your first post at the front edge of the slider is correct.

How thick is the flat plate at the back of the window? Those are plates that I don't have but again should be easy to fabricate.

Thanks for posting the pictures! It was always a mystery as to why the handles/locks were like they were. They aren't as elegant as the later style but they should be functional.

Thanks!

Brad

[JudgesArgosy]

Heres more photos! This is what the rest of the windows have.

The locking bracket is 2''x 2'' x 3/16'' thick and only 2mm thick where attached to glass.

I'd be happy to buy a set if you ever get those front handles made!

Matt

[bkahler]

Matt, here is how the handle is mounted on the side slider windows on my Argosy.



The one handle looks like it's riveted. I can't get the windows to slide (needs seals and tracks replaced) so I can't tell what the latch plate looks like.

Brad

[JudgesArgosy]

Brad, Its interesting to see your handles are identical to mine except mine have 3 hole design and yours is riveted. Are there holes in glass?

Although I'm still looking for a factory front passenger window handle, I went ahead and made this set with some aluminum angle I found in garage.
Matt

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by JudgesArgosy

Brad, Its interesting to see your handles are identical to mine except mine have 3 hole design and yours is riveted. Are there holes in glass?

I'm assuming there are holes. I'll try and look this evening. The glass doesn't move because of the bad tracks but I'll see what I can determine.

Although I'm still looking for a factory front passenger window handle, I went ahead and made this set with some aluminum angle I found in garage.
Matt

I am definitely going to make some based on the information you provided, I ordered some aluminum angle this morning. Were you still interested in a pair?

Brad

[JudgesArgosy]

Brad, Unless I find an exact match to the drivers side handle I'm just gonna use the set I made. Thanks anyway!

I too have problems with the window tracks. I noticed on mine if you wet the old fuzzy schlegle it allows windows to slide. I just add a couple drops of bleach to water in a spray bottle. This spring I plan on restoring all the sliding windows when the weather gets nice.
Matt