I understand...but if there is a chance it can be done, it sure beats having new glass fabricated. This is an inexpensive backlite from GM. This company http://www.autotempinc.com/customglass.htm can fab the glass required, but the cost is substantial...$5K minimum! They have to build the tooling to duplicate the compound curves involved...the alternative for me is to find a laminated front windshield that is contoured the same, and have it cut to fit my openings. Or, if I could get in touch with the OEM in mexico that produces this backlite, maybe they'd do a custom fab from the setup already in place, cut it before the tempering process possibly. Thanks for the info!

 

Is the rear defroster any kind of issue in this case? If you cut the rear window in half you will have to find a way to re connect it, unless you dont really care about having a rear defroster.

I like your barn door idea but I'm thinking that maybe a top hatch and bottom barn doors might work better ??

 

I have no dog in this fight, but I have seen some amazing things done with a water jet. I would bet it can be done. If we all just said it can't be done we never would have left europe or landed on the moon! Go for it, I hope it works for you.

 

The rear defroster would be the least of my worries I could live without it, I'd be happy just to have the backlight in two pieces!

Once I get back on this, I'll probably have someone try to cut it...as I said before, not an expensive piece of glass anyway, so why not try!

 

I don't see a big problem cutting the 3rd brake light in 2 ..Or ya could just add (2) 3rd brake lites, 1 in each top.

You can cut the glass yourself. (unless I missed something ??)

I have, score it heavily on both sides & pour lighter fliud in the score, lit it & it will melt the center & carefully work it free.

As far as the R. defrosters, they make repair kits. You could get some of those to reconnect the cut wires. When done 'Tint' over both halves, & call it good..

 

Wish it were thay easy Billy...that's the method for laminated safety glass (windshields). Tempered is a whole different story

Hopefully, armed with templates, I'll be able to find a windshield in a salvage yard with the same curvatures as the backlite, then cut it into two pieces for the barn doors.

 

Ooops! Yes I missed that...

I'm sure you will get it sorted out. As fas as 3rd brake light needing cut, you could always get a small custom aftermarker pair, 1 for each door..

 

I don't know if this was suggested yet (haven't seen all the posts) but have you thought of welding in steel panels where the glass opening would be, then look into retrofitting the already split glass from the rear "barn doors" of a mini cooper clubman? I know the class may not be as rounded as you would like but it may solve your problem. Also when I was younger there was (no longer) a custom van shop near me that was able to make tinted plexiglass type windows in all sizes and supply the rubber gasket to mount the glass to the custom cutout hole.

Just a thought...

 

The astrovan kinda had a three way door.

 

Jeff,

Don't know how this thread got resurrected from 2007, but glad it did.

It sounds like you have not completed this project, if so... that is a long time to have a vehicle in the shop/garage.

Can Tempered glass be ground? I believe it can.

It would take a LOT of time and expense of abrasive, but grinding half a rear window might get it done for you. Times two.