Rear Hatch Lexan
07-13-2008, 01:52 PM
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Rear Hatch Lexan All the lexan threads deal with the front windshield, but I am looking for answers for the rear hatch. I was hoping someone here can help out with some guidance, and pics would be great!
The deal is that I can either carefully remove the stock glass from the stock hatch and put lexan to replace it or have to purchase something new. Hairy Glass and VFN make a rear decklid for 93+ Firebirds and I was curious as it anyone had any experience putting them on with dzus fasteners or a similar setup on a steel bodied car.
My only other guess was to see if Joe van Overbeek makes a lightweight fiberglass Firebird hatch for use with lexan but I have been unable to get any answers from Stenod.
The deal is that I can either carefully remove the stock glass from the stock hatch and put lexan to replace it or have to purchase something new. Hairy Glass and VFN make a rear decklid for 93+ Firebirds and I was curious as it anyone had any experience putting them on with dzus fasteners or a similar setup on a steel bodied car.
My only other guess was to see if Joe van Overbeek makes a lightweight fiberglass Firebird hatch for use with lexan but I have been unable to get any answers from Stenod.
07-13-2008, 05:06 PM
#2
I hear the wait time for joe v stuff takes a while, you can put lexan on the stock hatch or do a pin on, I have seen the pin on hatches with dzus and they work and look fine as long as you get a good hatch to start with.
I have seen some that fit like crap also. On mine I am planning to use the stock hatch with a molded lexan window glued in. Talk to madman, I have seen a few posts where he installs those, he also sales the molded lexan windows, you might want to give him a call since he has the parts and knows how to install them.
I have seen some that fit like crap also. On mine I am planning to use the stock hatch with a molded lexan window glued in. Talk to madman, I have seen a few posts where he installs those, he also sales the molded lexan windows, you might want to give him a call since he has the parts and knows how to install them.
07-13-2008, 06:04 PM
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Roger that. I'll see if Madman chimes in here.
I have thought about going with the stock hatch as well but the car was a Trans Am, and since I went with the van Overbeek wing I removed the stock TA spoiler. Now I have a all the holes and bumps to fill. So I was trying to do a little cost benefit analysis as to which route is the best: stock hatch or rear decklid. The problem is if you look at VFN's catalog for example the Camaro and Firebird decklids are completely different. So it may be more hassle trying to mount the lexan directly to the body of a Firebird. Hopefully more folks can post on this matter.
I have thought about going with the stock hatch as well but the car was a Trans Am, and since I went with the van Overbeek wing I removed the stock TA spoiler. Now I have a all the holes and bumps to fill. So I was trying to do a little cost benefit analysis as to which route is the best: stock hatch or rear decklid. The problem is if you look at VFN's catalog for example the Camaro and Firebird decklids are completely different. So it may be more hassle trying to mount the lexan directly to the body of a Firebird. Hopefully more folks can post on this matter.
07-21-2008, 11:49 AM
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Thanks Madman! Just one thing. Do you have photos or experience with a VFN/HairyGlass Firebird decklid? There are differences between the two: Camaro on the left, Firebird on the right. You can see the Firebird is just a pure decklid and not a replacement hatch like the Camaro. Any ideas?
EDIT: Just realized that your photos were of a Firebird. Was there some modifications needed to get it to match the Firebird contours?
EDIT: Just realized that your photos were of a Firebird. Was there some modifications needed to get it to match the Firebird contours?
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07-21-2008, 12:35 PM
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Understand that. So by your pictures you got the Camaro hatch and cut it to match the contours of a Firebird decklid, and attached with dzus fasteners. This looks like the solution then. What holds the hatch at the top? More dzus fasteners or pins?
07-21-2008, 01:18 PM
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Thanks as always! 
07-22-2008, 10:54 PM
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I have the VFN hatch with speedglass on my SS Camaro and get ready for some work. It comes from VFN (Cut to Fit) and the Glass comes from Percy (Cut to Fit) also. It took along time for me and others that helped me to get it right on my car. It looks damn near stock with some Zues and I screwed my glass in. I wish I would have glued it in cause it looks nicer but O-well. Saves an assload of weight also.
