Broken Window

[atsirt13]

Hi everyone,
We are in a bit of a pickle and are hoping for some suggestions. We have our 97 L400 down here in Mexico for the winter with us. It has been really good to us down here. The other day we returned from a kayaking session to find our driver side, rear window (the one directly behind the driver) smashed. Of course the thieves managed to get away with our wallets (including our Driver's Licenses and Mexican Resident cards... thankfully we didn't have any credit cards with us) and a few technical gadgets. We will be putting an alarm on the van soon...

Now we are trying to figure out what to do to replace the window. The last resort answer is to have one shipped from Vancouver. I'm wondering a few things though does anyone know of a window from another model that may fit the L400. I've done a bit of research and I have come across a vehicle that they sell here in Mexico called the Dodge H100 (aka Hyundai Starex). I will be investigating that route a bit more to see if one of their windows will fit. I was just wondering if anyone happened to know if there is another avenue that I hadn't considered?

Until we have the window replaced, we are going to have to go ghetto and put something over the hole. My husband is thinking plywood, I'm doubtful that will work since there is a curve in the window. Perhaps just duct tape and some thick plastic? And just replace it every time it comes loose?

Lastly, there are shards of glass still remaining in the rail that is towards the front of the van. We tried to get them out but haven't been successful. Anyone have know how to do this?

Thanks!
Trista

[thelazygreenfox]

Trista
Plywood and duct tape is a good temp measure. I wouldn't even bother replacing it till you come home. Paint the plywood and tape to make it look better.

Reattach the bolt and rubber window fasteners to the plywood for a functional opening window till the rains come. Oh the glass shards remove with a vacuum and a long thin screw driver.

Have a look at this window film commercial off the net. The film would keep your window intact. In Mexico I'd film cover all my side windows with a burglary film.

http://w3.llumar.com/en/AutoSafety.aspx

good luck
TLGF

[CREGAN]

I know it is totally ghetto but if it were me I would just plug it with something like that corrugated plastic (you can get it in sheets at most hardware stores here) and a crap load of tape until you get home. Then sort out a new "real" window. This is a dumb question, but, do they have car washes down there? If they do then I would use one of their industrial suckers to vacuum out all the shards. If you are still worried after that throw down a beautiful Mexican blanket on top. Things are easier sorted when you are home- so enjoy your trip and figure it out when you get home! That is what I would do. How much longer are you down there?

Craig

[Firesong]

Go buy a small sheet of lexan. Should be about $70 ish. Totally tough and see through able.

[thedjjack]

I would do it in Aluminum hard to see through but hard to break

[atsirt13]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We had window tinting on the windows so the shards of glass inside the van were pretty minimal. I guess that's something to be thankful for. We are down here for at least a few more months. Luckily it isn't rainy season!