Bus window conversion

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:23 am

hello all, I read in one of the previous posts that the splitty bus windows could be modified to serve as side curtains for a thing. I am quite fond of this idea since one could potentially make windows with solid steel frames.

In South Africa there are very view Things (probably less than 10) on the road, let alone secondhand side curtains and other spares, so I am looking for practical and cheaper alternatives for side curtains.

Does anyone know the year model of the bus of which the windows will be suitable to modify to fit a thing? Does anyone have before and after pictures of such a modification? Is it possible to strip the complete frame from the bus front door?

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:24 am

I was at a VW show and a guy in a 1963 single cab pulled up next to me in my 73 Thing. He parked just perfectly so I would notice that the front door window with the wing vent frame removed was the exact size as a Thing side curtain. I borrowed a tape measure, took some careful measurement and made a carboard template. It turns out that splitty bus window frames bolt into the inside of the door. So thye are easily removed. If you can find the frames, with glass, latch adn felt (you are a lucky fellow. I currently have one frame to use as a prototype. You will alos need the "feet" that slide into the door frame. One VW person suggested having extra doors and welding the frames to the door. YOu would alos need some type of rubber seal so that the metal frame willnot shistle or leak. I love this idea and hope that I can eventually find splitty bus widnow frames. Splitty buses were produced from 1949-1967

IF anyone has a source for these window frames complete let me know.

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:23 am

I managed to find a source for four 1965 splitty bus window frames with glass and most of the trimmings plus an additional old, totally stripped frame which I can use as a prototype (currently on loan

). Just as K-man mentioned in his post, the widow frames bolts loose from the door and can easily be removed.

After inspecting the frame more closely I noticed a couple of small practical issues; however I’ll cover these in later posts, provided I can cleanup the following showstopper.

With the wing vent frame portion removed from the window frame of the bus window, I noticed the angle of the pointed corner is larger than the angle formed between the thing door and windshield. Does this difference in angel exist because my Thing’s windshield is misaligned?

Does anyone have the exact measurements for the original steel frame thing curtain? i.e.
Angel of pointed corner:
Bottom edge curtain width:
Top edge curtain width:
Vertical height:
Cross section width and height of the frame:

Thanx in advance for assistance

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:42 am

I am very interested in working with you on this conversion. I have lots of side curtains to take careful measurements. I also have one bus window frame.vvvI will lay one on the other and also take careful measurements and draw a plan of the original side curtain. A number of Things are missing the rubber stopper that hold the front windshield at the corecct angle. The Thing Shop sells a pair of window support bracket that holds the windshield at the correct angle. Part number 181 wsb $45
http://www.thethingshop.com/detail.asp? ... _ID=181WSB

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:06 pm

Thanx for your support. I have taken some basic measurements from the splitty bus window with the vent removed. The measurements are as follows:

Angel of pointed corner: 67 degrees
Bottom edge curtain width: 735 mm
Top edge curtain width: 569mm
Vertical height: 486mm
Cross section width and height of the frame: 27mm x 15mm
Material thickness: 2mm