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jfh

Member Since: 08 Jan 2014
Location: West Coast
Posts: 364

2007 Defender 110 300 Tdi SW Chawton White

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

24th Sep 2020 4:09pm

Co1

Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3707

25th Sep 2020 5:56am

big110

Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Sweeden
Posts: 342

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green

As a follow up for the future searchers. On the non Pumas this is a very easy mod. You should be able to save your old windows and window frames.

On the puma- unless you want to turn this in to a multi day ordeal, the easiest way is to cut the adhesive bond with a long knife From the outside of the truck between the Frame and body. The sealant used is black windshield adhesive and is incredibly strong. After you have cut the adhesive you still will likely have to remove and sacrifice the window frame. You can save the glass but the aluminum frame just Is not salvageable for the most part. It’s not worth the time to save them and make it a 2 day project.

4th Jun 2021 7:24pm

MatLandy

Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Paris
Posts: 199

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver

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

7th Jun 2021 10:52am

Ads90

Member Since: 16 Jun 2008
Location: Cots-on-the-Wolds
Posts: 813

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Keswick Green

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.

7th Jun 2021 1:40pm

big110

Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Sweeden
Posts: 342

MatLandy wrote:
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

This is great info to have on the record for this project that many people are scared of!

7th Jun 2021 2:07pm

Jim_Bean

Member Since: 10 May 2011
Location: Staffordshire / Shropshire border
Posts: 613

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

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.

23rd Mar 2023 11:16am

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?

11th Jul 2023 9:46pm

1NRO

Member Since: 22 Feb 2015
Location: cumbria
Posts: 75

Sure did

11th Jul 2023 11:18pm

Jim_Bean

Member Since: 10 May 2011
Location: Staffordshire / Shropshire border
Posts: 613

is there any way to calculate what they might be?

Is it a sweeping 20% VAT fee? Plus handling fees?

12th Jul 2023 9:12am

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

12th Jul 2023 10:02am

db950

Member Since: 01 Feb 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 567

Jim_Bean wrote:
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.

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

12th Jul 2023 10:14am

BigRayPez

Member Since: 23 Feb 2025
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 2

1989 Defender 90 200 Tdi CSW Santorini Black

Explore Glazing gullwing windows

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?

23rd Feb 2025 12:42am

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

23rd Feb 2025 8:36am

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...

24th Feb 2025 2:38am

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