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Silverback01 · 03-24-2018, 04:48 PM

I have a 1973 ambassador and I need some help. I'm converting my double pane windows to single pane. I have come across numerous threads talking about the conversion, but I can't find the gasket that I'm supposed to put behind the front window when I remove the back pane. Can someone help me out with a link or tell me where I can buy it or what size it needs to be? Thanks!!

tbashin · 04-03-2018, 11:30 AM

I have a '76 Exella 500 with the pealing and waterlogged windows. I researched this as well and have come to the conclusion that there is not a specific gasket seal made for this conversion. I have found a few discussions to rebuild as double pane. I found used windows off a later model which were in good shape to replace mine. I rebuilt the stack windows as double pane with new glass and plexi.

Chuck Milvet · 09-13-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback01

I have a 1973 ambassador and I need some help. I'm converting my double pane windows to single pane. I have come across numerous threads talking about the conversion, but I can't find the gasket that I'm supposed to put behind the front window when I remove the back pane. Can someone help me out with a link or tell me where I can buy it or what size it needs to be? Thanks!!

I found a place online called vintagetrailergaskets.com. They seem to have everything we need to do this (I will be doing the conversion this winter). I hope this helps!

tbashin · 09-14-2018, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Milvet

I found a place online called vintagetrailergaskets.com. They seem to have everything we need to do this (I will be doing the conversion this winter). I hope this helps!

That is great. Thanks for the info. Since you can now find the correct gaskets to rebuild, I think the way to go is to just rebuild the double panes (less inner tint) and tint the inside if you want.

dherder · 12-26-2018, 06:58 PM

I'm going to attempt this on a 72 Overlander. Chuck, curious if you have already started?

Chuck Milvet · 12-27-2018, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dherder

I'm going to attempt this on a 72 Overlander. Chuck, curious if you have already started?

Yes, I am currently disassembling the windows, cleaning the frames and glass. Should start reassembly in a few weeks. I purchased the vintage trailer gaskets like I mentioned and assembled one window. Worked very well so far! Best of luck.

ehodg66 · 12-27-2018, 09:06 AM

Chuck,

Which double pane windows are you doing? The front wing windows? The upper, vista view windows?

I wish I knew about vintage trailer gaskets a few years ago when I redid all on my single pane windows. I made a jig to trim down the only gaskets I could find. Worked great but tedious.

Please post any pics and part numbers of your process.

thank you
Eric

brzeller · 02-03-2019, 11:33 AM

Chuck,

Very interested in your method here as well. You are converting from double to single pane, correct?

We are about to start this process on all 8 of our windows that open on our 77 overlander. Haven't fully come up with our method though...

Obviously the sashes have enough room for 2 panes and so we're thinking we need something on the inside to fill the gap... to apply pressure outwards on the single pane. Thanks for the help, would also love to see pictures!

Chuck Milvet · 02-04-2019, 09:02 AM

Yes, I am doing all off the windows (all 16!) Several other projects got in front of the windows, Ill be working on them again soon.

Vintagetrailergaskets.com carry the conversion kits and have instructions on how to do it on their website. Basically you get a piece of foam rubber that takes the space of the inner (or outer) glass. Use a silicone sealant between the aluminum outer frame and the glass. Rubber gasket between glass and inner frame. So far so good. Most difficult part is frame disassembly (without breaking the glass, of course) and cleaning up the 40+ year old frames. I haven't tried the vista view windows yet.

Ill post more as I get to it!

Chuck

dherder · 02-04-2019, 05:32 PM

"Most difficult part is frame disassembly".

I'm a bit worried about doing this and pulling the frame apart and busting the glass. I see from your photo that there is some kind of insert that spans both edges of the frame where the frame comes together. Can you give any tips on the frame separation process?

Chuck Milvet · 02-05-2019, 06:25 AM

The insert is a piece of steel that just fits into the channel and riveted in. Drill out the rivets and load with PB Blaster or WD 40, the bottom ones are usually rusted. I use a block of wood and a mallet to carefully hit the inner frame away from the opposite side. This is a bit intimidating, but so far so good. Just have to be extremely careful and deliberate.

tbashin · 02-06-2019, 05:00 AM

And use a rubber mallet to be safe.

ehodg66 · 02-06-2019, 07:21 AM

Here are a couple pics from my gasket replacement that may help:

Outer gasket removal, drill out the rivets and using a wood block and mallet to separate the frame.
My "steel connector pics" were tough and slightly corroded. I soaked them heavily with Kroil penetrating oil. I can't say enough about Kroil. GREAT penetrating oil. I've tried WD40, etc. but this really gets in the cracks.

FYI, the mallet I used was rubber but had a steel side also. This really eliminated the bounce that i was getting using the rubber side.

brzeller · 02-07-2019, 12:07 PM

Yep, same here. Those internal keys were are real pain for us, especially the bottom ones. Ours were severely corroded and adhered to the enclosing aluminum. We used WD40 and ... a mallet and a lot of (careful?) force. In the end, we got all 8 frames apart and intact to be put back together.

Now my question for everyone is what rivets do we use to put them back together, namely the 4 that hold both sides together (and go through the internal keys)? Is it these 1/8 tubular rivets (https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com...vts-3003.htm)?

Thanks!

Chuck Milvet · 02-08-2019, 05:02 AM

I just used the long buck rivets available at VTS...worked just fine.

ehodg66 · 02-08-2019, 07:02 AM

I used soft rivets (do not have size in front of me) and purchased a rivet squeezer, mainly because i removed all of the hardware from the window frame and didn't want to take the chance of slipping up while buck riveting.

cole3444 · 02-08-2019, 07:26 AM

My 72 31' Sovereign wing windows had separate grooves for the double pane windows. When I took them apart I cleaned the frames and put the single pane back in and put it back together and the inside trim covered the empty groove great. Seems their are several different ways these are made. Wondering what my 71 Sovereign is going to be like. At least I have two spare windows just in case.

Andy Moreau · 10-08-2019, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehodg66

I used soft rivets (do not have size in front of me) and purchased a rivet squeezer, mainly because i removed all of the hardware from the window frame and didn't want to take the chance of slipping up while buck riveting.

Is the rivet squeezer also used on the rivets holding the vista frame together? There are two on the top and two on the bottom

ehodg66 · 10-09-2019, 06:50 AM

I used soft rivets and the rivet squeezer on the window frame also.

learthman · 11-01-2019, 02:02 PM

Does your 72 sovereign have plexiglass inners on the larger side windows? I was just expecting plexiglass on the vista windows but just took one of my side windows off the work on and the inners are plexiglass - the video I've watched of opening up these double pane windows to clean look a little different than mine