Changing from plastic to glass

S2KsRGR8 · 08-15-2006, 07:24 AM

Just curious what is involved in changing my plastic rear window in my '01 to a glass window? Has anyone attempted? I really don't like the way it gets a bit creased when it goes down. Also the cleaning issue.
Thanks

wowowox · 08-16-2006, 12:20 AM

change the whole top

Java Junky · 08-16-2006, 07:01 AM

If the top is the original '01 top, I godda agree with wow. To put money or time into a top that's gonna be outlived by the new window doesn't make a lodda sense. A new top with the glass already in it is a neat, clean way to go and if the current top is showin' it's age at all it should make the decision a bit easier to make.
Good luck, be well.

Halo · 08-16-2006, 10:30 AM

Unfortunately, you can't just pop a piece of glass into the current hole where the plastic is, because the plastic is designed to fold in half as the top closes. (this is why it gets so scuffed up).

The glass in 02 and up is smaller and the folds are above and below the window.

As a result, swapping out the whole top is really the best way to go. Here, you have two options.

Option 1 is to keep the aluminum framing you have and install an 02+ glass window top. A few small modifications to the frame are required to make sure it folds right. Instructions are here:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=99683

Option 2 is to swap out the top and frame at once. This is obviously more expensive, but occasionally you can find a seller on S2ki.com or ebay that is going permanently to a hardtop and has removed the whole assembly. In this case NO modifications are required.

I went with option 1. Followed the instructions to the letter. Took a whole weekend, working very slowly. A convertible top shop could probably do it much faster.

Good luck.

08-15-2006, 07:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
S2KsRGR8 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 21	Changing from plastic to glass Just curious what is involved in changing my plastic rear window in my '01 to a glass window? Has anyone attempted? I really don't like the way it gets a bit creased when it goes down. Also the cleaning issue. Thanks

08-16-2006, 07:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	If the top is the original '01 top, I godda agree with wow. To put money or time into a top that's gonna be outlived by the new window doesn't make a lodda sense. A new top with the glass already in it is a neat, clean way to go and if the current top is showin' it's age at all it should make the decision a bit easier to make. Good luck, be well. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

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08-16-2006, 12:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
wowowox Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 309	change the whole top

08-16-2006, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Halo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 600	Unfortunately, you can't just pop a piece of glass into the current hole where the plastic is, because the plastic is designed to fold in half as the top closes. (this is why it gets so scuffed up). The glass in 02 and up is smaller and the folds are above and below the window. As a result, swapping out the whole top is really the best way to go. Here, you have two options. Option 1 is to keep the aluminum framing you have and install an 02+ glass window top. A few small modifications to the frame are required to make sure it folds right. Instructions are here: http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=99683 Option 2 is to swap out the top and frame at once. This is obviously more expensive, but occasionally you can find a seller on S2ki.com or ebay that is going permanently to a hardtop and has removed the whole assembly. In this case NO modifications are required. I went with option 1. Followed the instructions to the letter. Took a whole weekend, working very slowly. A convertible top shop could probably do it much faster. Good luck.