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jfh Member Since: 08 Jan 2014 Location: West Coast Posts: 364 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Finally done.
![]() Click image to enlarge ![]() Click image to enlarge I will later replace the door with glass. You can follow the whole build on the below thread. https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showt...stem/page4 |
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Co1 Member Since: 19 Aug 2018 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 3704 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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MatLandy Member Since: 11 Sep 2020 Location: Paris Posts: 194 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I would like to balance the perceived difficulty of removing the original sliding windows on a puma.
Until recently, I was also under the belief that no matter how you look at it, it will end up with a fight with the said windows and frames at the risk of damaging the surrounding body paint, plus the unknown finish quality of a DIY job when fitting the new ones (sealant spilling? interior trim not fitting flush? etc.). Anyway, I came across this new video a few weeks ago https://explore-glazing.nl/en/explore-glazing-videos which for the first time made it look like it's doable with not too much sweat. It actually gave me the courage to go ahead. My Experience: I was fed up with mine rattling and not closing tight, letting road noise enter the cabin, I went ahead an ordered some new sliding windows from Explore Glazing - didn't want to go for the gullwing as I like the original look of the sliding ones, I was just after better quality than the JLR ones. I did follow above video by the book (can I say that?) with available tools at hand : the wife's hairdryer instead of a hot gun, working slowly in steps of about 30cm heating and cutting with a long blade stanley knife. I also used a bicycle brake cable for the upper part. On the video, once everything is prepared, they remove one window in 30min, and it took me 2hrs for the same job, taking my time and not rushing through it. All in all, one long afternoon to prepare and remove both sides. Another shorter afternoon to install the new ones, clean up, and refit trim. I did all this alone, not a problem as I have long arms, although I must say an assistant would have helped for certain steps. Results: Aside of the small but sensible decrease of road noise ingress into the cabin, some pictures of the old windows that did not get damaged during the removal process, and of the new windows fitting flush and looking good. Happy. /Mat ![]() Click image to enlarge ![]() Click image to enlarge |
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Ads90 Member Since: 16 Jun 2008 Location: Cots-on-the-Wolds Posts: 812 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks for that Mat.
What are your impressions of the Explore Glazing sliding window - obviously it has solved the rattling, but what else makes it better than the LR window? I couldn't find much in the way of photos of it on the Explore site - any chance you could post some more pics of the new window? If so, I'd be interested to see the lock, channels etc. |
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big110 Member Since: 02 Nov 2016 Location: Sweeden Posts: 342 ![]() ![]() |
This is great info to have on the record for this project that many people are scared of! |
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Jim_Bean Member Since: 10 May 2011 Location: Staffordshire / Shropshire border Posts: 613 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Can you open the gullwings from the inside? I am building a camper and would like to be able to open/close the windows without leaving the interior.
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Jim_Bean Member Since: 10 May 2011 Location: Staffordshire / Shropshire border Posts: 613 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
When you guys (based in the UK) have bought kit from Explore Glazing did you get hit with import costs & taxes?
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1NRO Member Since: 22 Feb 2015 Location: cumbria Posts: 74 ![]() ![]() |
Sure did
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Jim_Bean Member Since: 10 May 2011 Location: Staffordshire / Shropshire border Posts: 613 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() Is it a sweeping 20% VAT fee? Plus handling fees? |
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geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410 ![]() ![]() |
If in doubt call them up https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty
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db950 Member Since: 01 Feb 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 567 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
If that’s the case you may be better off with a more standard camper van window, the bonus is they come with built in blinds and fly screen! One of my ‘to do’ upgrades list on my camper is fit one of these… https://www.jacksonsleisure.com/dometic/se...e/windows/ 1997 Ex-MOD 110, Pop Top Camper, build thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72352.html 2014 Discovery 4 SE Tech Instagram @the110camper |
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BigRayPez Member Since: 23 Feb 2025 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 2 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hey guys, bringing this thread back to life. Im considering buying one or maybe two gullwing windows and can see there are basically two on the market (Front runner and Explore).
I cant see any reviews really of the Explore windows and I'm interested to hear what the quality is like compared to the front runner ones. They are quite a lot cheaper, but once they have been shipped to the UK, they are probably not far off the price of the front runner ones! Am I just better off biting the bullet and getting the FR ones knowing the quality of all their products is great. Anyone else on here got experience with the Explore windows? |
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34064 Member Since: 12 Dec 2023 Location: South Central Posts: 225 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I have 4 Explore glazing windows a shortened side sliding window a half drop rear door and the two rear quarter lights im very impressed with the quality ive had the rear window for 18 months with no problems at all and the other 3 for a year and so far im very impressed they have done about 6k miles across all terrains and all weathers.
For costing example my last order cost me £477.84 in total with Duties paid for was £111.25 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784 |
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BigRayPez Member Since: 23 Feb 2025 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 2 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hey 34064,
Cheers for the reply. So the Explore windows probably work out a fair bit cheaper than the FR ones, maybe up to £300 cheaper. From what Ive seen they look solid quality and they are a simple enough I think to manufacture, if the materials are the same as the FR ones they cant be much different... |
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