Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

I like the big back window trucks. However, I don't have the fabrication skills to do the BBW conversion.

If this idea is dumb, please just say so. I want honesty. Don't patronize.

Look at the pics below. I photoshopped the 2nd pic. It is NOT a BBW but rather a small back window made WIDER. In my mind, the fab work would be much easier and finding a donor would be very easy because SBW trucks are so common.

I want some folks with fab skills to give some input on this.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8a4eca1.jpg

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psbaf03054.jpg

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

It's the curve on the inside panel that will limit the small window stretch.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

Can you explain more?

Here's the inside and the inner wall curves at the corners. Maybe it could be widened but not as wide as I made in my photoshop version?

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1f810f26.jpg

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

im not sure if you are aware you can buy a conversion kit like mine. it was just under $500

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

Paint the panel around the small window black or charcoal ?

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

Check out my build thread, I am doing the conversion now. It will be much easier than trying this.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

That would require two donors, then fitting and butt-welding the panels into both the inner and outer panels- lots of fitting, welding, grinding, and bodywork to get the weld seams right. A factory BBW donor would only require spot welding around its edges- no grinding or bodywork needed. The outer panel is cut but no fitting/butt-welding has to be done, only spot welded around the pinchweld for the outer panel.

Another consideration is that the tapered upper roll around a small window's opening would be tough to get right when welding two pieces together; fitting them would be fine but the taper from narrow at the edges to wider in the middle wouldn't look right. You'd have to fab a new rolled upper edge with an even taper side-to-side so it would look right. Even if you did it the wide small window, the height wouldn't match the other windows so the proportions would be off.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

To me it's an interesting look, but I don't see it being necessarily less fab work than just doing a full bbw conversion.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

here are some pictures from my conversion

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...rearbumper.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...aug2012003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...dowdone001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...dowdone003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...onversion2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...onversion1.jpg

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

I'd like to thank everyone for the input. My lack of experience is showing. The BBW conversion looks like something I'll leave for those more experienced than me. I need to get some practice time with a welder before I take on any big challenges like the BBW.
Thanks again.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

To me its the cutting that's tricky - the welding if you have a mig is not that difficult to get decent at - it's not like laying a bead on a frame - it's spot weld and move and spot and move... you could definitely handle that part. Easier than you think... just can't use a stick welder which is where some people go wrong - mig or tig and you be surprised how good you get quick - no bs. Good luck with your build.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

Could you post a link to said kit?

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

I like the look that you created of the small window widened... that said it would be 10X the fab work to do that , instead of just doing the stock bbw conversion... some on here have even done the conversion without having to re-do the paint.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

http://classicbigwindow.com/

it looks like it is $499.99 now

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

Thanks. I hadn't seen that kit/method before.

Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work?
 

The kit looks cool, but you'll have work blending those side panels in to look good inside.

With some panel adhesive and a cheap spot welder, you could knock out the bbw conversion in a weekend with no welding skills. food for thought.