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TomHutch

Member Since: 29 Nov 2020
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 9

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver

Swapping out the panoramic windows

Hey all, first proper post on this forum. So firstly hello! Had my defender 90 county 2011 for around a year now. Done a few bits and bobs changing it to my liking. I bought it with the panoramic windows, but to be honest I’ve never really liked them. I’m looking at changing out the rear panoramic windows just for either the van or the CSW I’m still not 100% which I fancy. I’m just wondering what my best options would be for changing them out. There’s a lot of info out the for converting to the panoramic windows, but not much the other way.

Option 1. Buying new rear panels and just straight swapping them out. (Colour isn’t too much of a problem as a good friend of mine has his own painting unit). With this option would it be worth just swapping out the rear door as well?

Option 2. To make it a van, I was wondering if it was possible just to drill the rivets off the sides that are currently riveted on to the frames. Then maybe just get a new bit of sheet metal fabricated to spec then rivet that back on? Seems like a bit more work, and not sure whether it’s even a viable option.

Option 3. I’m not 100% sure whether it would work. But fit windows into the space that is already cut out in the side panels. I’ve measured this up and they come up at around 43”x17”. Which when I’ve checked online seem to big to fit the CSW windows (36”x14”?). But again not sure what to do with the rear door.

I appreciate any help and sorry if this is a bit of a stupid question / post! I’ve attached some pictures (I think) just to show you what I’m dealing with.

Click image to enlarge

14th Feb 2021 5:03pm

Bev

Member Since: 03 Apr 2013
Location: Perthshire
Posts: 267

I think your going to need complete new or replacement side panels as

1. It looks like the hole is now enlarged for the panoramic windows so the originals won’t just slot straight in.
2. I understand those windows are bonded in to the panel so will be a nightmare to remove.

I think your option one is easiest and would give the best results. You can buy a brand new replacement rear door for something like £240 from britpart OEM. Glass would be extra but plenty available on the resale market.

Some photos of mine with the windows removed to painting.

Click image to enlarge

14th Feb 2021 5:49pm

Defender SVX

Member Since: 29 Jan 2009
Location: Co Durham
Posts: 728

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SVX Soft Top Santorini Black

As above it’s looking like to do a good job you’re going to have to swap both panels and rear door, even if the openings hadn’t been enlarged by the time you’ve cleaned off the “

to a blanket

“ adhesive it would probably need repainting.

If you remove the parts as a whole they have some value that will offset the replacements. I’d be interested in them and local to assist replacing

Edit to add personally I think it looks spot on the way it is

Formerly mao99999
16 Focus RS Nitrous Blue.
11 FFRR TDV8 Vouge SE Black Black.
08 DEFENDER SVX SOFT TOP (SUPERB)
08 DEFENDER 110 DCPU Stornoway grey (Overland Exploration Unit)
05 Fiesta ST 150 Van
04 Jaguar XKR 4.2 Supercharged V8
02 DEFENDER 90 TD5 (next years soft top project)
95 DEFENDER 110 CSW 300 TDi Phoenix black
95 DEFENDER 90 HT Monti Carlo blue COUNTY 300 TDi
67 109" SERIES 2a TUNED 200 TDI
64 DAVID BROWN 990 rat look
55 86" SERIES 1

14th Feb 2021 5:59pm

Oakseywick

Member Since: 20 Dec 2014
Location: Cirencester
Posts: 1000

Member 2010blackdefender90 on here has done this he had the glass removed by a auto glass guy I think try and find his posts or it might be in his build thread if he has one. Andy
Defender 90
Defender 110 XS
Cupra 290

14th Feb 2021 6:13pm

Sulisuli

Member Since: 30 Oct 2016
Location: South west
Posts: 4795

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey

https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic63739...amic+glass

There you go. 2015 HT XS 90
2008 SVX 90
2000 XS TD5 90

14th Feb 2021 7:07pm

TomHutch

Member Since: 29 Nov 2020
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 9

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like if I go for it it’ll be new panels and door then. Like you say seems more
Hassle than it’s worth trying to remove the glass. I’ll keep an eye out on here and the bay for any going up for sale. I’ve got some new wheels coming next week so gonna see how they look with the defender before
changing anything out.

Change my mind like the wind so I’ll probably end up liking it next week and keep it as is. But very useful info regardless, so thanks a lot fellas I really appreciate it. And thanks for the offer defender SVX, I’ll keep you posted

14th Feb 2021 9:46pm

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7904

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

Welcome to D2N

Personally, I quite like the panoramic glass, I'd be more concerned with the Khan wingmajigs

If you could find someone who wants the panoramic glass you could do a straight swap? James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers

15th Feb 2021 7:44am

Adammacky

Member Since: 28 Dec 2019
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 309

Vinyl wrap? Short term solution and if you did prefer the panoramic glass it would be easy to go back

15th Feb 2021 9:21am

MichaelE

Member Since: 18 Jan 2020
Location: Crawley West Sussex
Posts: 155

If only.........
I've just finished fitting pano windows. Well....nearly. Just got the edge sealing to do later today. I would have readily swapped my bodywork for yours. It was a pig getting the old windows out. I can't see you getting the pano windows off without a lot of destruction. Then there was the stress of fitting them, knowing that it's a one shot job. I had about 10 seconds to get them in the right position before they became immobile. So I taped metal guide strips in place to butt up against so that I got it right first time with no assistance. That glue set very firm and it's going nowhere.

15th Feb 2021 1:39pm

Linds Hanson

Member Since: 16 Jan 2021
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 484

Guess it was a basic hardtop to start with, whoever cut those large openings was brave! There isnt much holds the outter skin to the top flange on the late sides (along the top of the cutout).

15th Feb 2021 3:13pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5666

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

New panels bolt in and only require a new seal a long the bottom. Top seal is reused. I didn’t have pano windows, and wouldn’t as they look nasty, especially on anything but a black vehicle, but I swapped my rear panel on my 110 easily after getting them sprayed.

Before
During
After

Click image to enlarge

15th Feb 2021 4:59pm

TomHutch

Member Since: 29 Nov 2020
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 9

Cheers again fellas, and thanks for the pictures Andy! Think I’m gonna keep it as is for the moment then, I can use the money on some other upgrades

18th Feb 2021 8:43am

Bev

Member Since: 03 Apr 2013
Location: Perthshire
Posts: 267

Sensible choice keeping the funds for other upgrades or repairs.

When you consider the price and fitting of the panoramic glass, I would offer these up as a straight swap for panels from another truck. It really is a case of unbolting the old panels and bolting in the new panels. It would be best practice to change the bottom seals whilst your dismantling it.

In terms of cost - I reckon it’s at very least, cost neutral to yourself. In reality you should expect to make some money from your panels compared to standard as the glass is a reasonable expenditure to add.

With time on your side and the right person looking for panoramic glass it will all work out cost effective that way

18th Feb 2021 10:32am

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5666

Agree. Getting a panel swap with someone who wants nasty glass sides should earn you some money, not cost you anything but a few hours of time.

18th Feb 2021 5:07pm

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