Install Vega rear window?

[Daytona Guy]

People have asked me this question and it is hard to describe over the phone or in an email. Can we collect some threads on how to install a Vega Rear Window for a Daytona build?

Dane

[hemi68charger]

I can give you the last step; visual enjoyment........

[Stevearino]

I would put pics from my build up but there are easier ways to go about it than what I did. No use confusing folks.

[Daytona Guy]

There are threads of those who installed these - but I can't find them. If we can create a thread of how to install and Vega hatch - that has all these threads listed - and "pin" it to the top - it could help so many people and save time.

Dane

[Indygenerallee]

Larry had a good how to on my post when I was deciding between a General Lee or Daytona.

[Stevearino]

I find it easier to use Google to search for things on this site than to use the search engine provided.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=8271.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,54859.0.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=58876.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=107453.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25251.0.html

[Daytona Guy]

I find it easier to use Google to search for things on this site than to use the search engine provided.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=8271.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,54859.0.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=58876.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=107453.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25251.0.html

You are awesome -

Dane

[Stevearino]

I find it easier to use Google to search for things on this site than to use the search engine provided.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=8271.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,54859.0.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=58876.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=107453.0
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25251.0.html

You are awesome -

Dane

Just pressin' buttons over here Dane. Sometimes it works out. You know what they say." Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every once in a while." 

[BigBlockSam]

i am mixed on this subject . i might sound like a Douche but it shouldn't be that easy to get the info .   people did a lot of test and fit to get the formula we have now . now you click a button and there are all the instructions . 
specially if there gonna make money doing conversions . i've helped several people do the vega rear window conversion but they were just guys who always wanted a wing car .not someone who is gonna make money doing it . i researched the rear window conversion and trunk conversion for 2 years  to get it right.   not just clicked a button . . 

[Crabtree charger]

This is my first post here as I am just today a new member. Thank you Dane for suggesting this forum and starting this thread . I was the guy who called asking about the fitment of the vega back window. I have two 70 chargers getting the daytona treatment. Both are my cars and each one is being built with a different purpose in mind. One is a drag car and one a regular driver. So far as of last night I have taken the under support off the vega plug and trimed the edges to fit inside the sail panels. I also have the required dutchman panel from a 71-4 b-body. Also I recieved in the mail yesterday a set of trunk hinges from a e-bay seller and already have last night removed an reinstalled the trunk lid torsion bar accentric. I plan on haveing the window comlpleted this week but i am just trying to figure out some dimensions for final fitment, mainley how wide will the filler piece be at the top of the window. I think this dimension will get me on the right track[window track]

[pettybird]

I would put pics from my build up but there are easier ways to go about it than what I did. No use confusing folks.

For you?  Step 1:  Reinvent the wheel 

[Stevearino]

I would put pics from my build up but there are easier ways to go about it than what I did. No use confusing folks.

For you?  Step 1:  Reinvent the wheel 

Yeah. I am bad about that. Usually much to my own dismay.

This is my first post here as I am just today a new member. Thank you Dane for suggesting this forum and starting this thread . I was the guy who called asking about the fitment of the vega back window. I have two 70 chargers getting the daytona treatment. Both are my cars and each one is being built with a different purpose in mind. One is a drag car and one a regular driver. So far as of last night I have taken the under support off the vega plug and trimed the edges to fit inside the sail panels. I also have the required dutchman panel from a 71-4 b-body. Also I recieved in the mail yesterday a set of trunk hinges from a e-bay seller and already have last night removed an reinstalled the trunk lid torsion bar accentric. I plan on haveing the window comlpleted this week but i am just trying to figure out some dimensions for final fitment, mainley how wide will the filler piece be at the top of the window. I think this dimension will get me on the right track[window track]

We demand pictures. You need to start a build thread. 

[Crabtree charger]

I have alot of pics of the three chargers that i have all being worked on in different stages. My 68 R/T 440 4 speed car has all the metal done and have started the paint. The 70 that just got a new floor and torsion bar crossmember and trunk and rearframe rails and so on is the one I want to put the vega plug into this week. My other 70 got anew trunk today as well as a new valance tomarrow. I will start to post the pics asap. I was thinking that a 3" to 3 1/2" filler piece above the vega plug seems to look right but I was wondering how some of you guys did your back window plug. I am going to line up the dutchman panel with the rear most part of the fuel filler cap. I would be farther along on this but I went to Octoberfest and lost a day and a half. 

[Stevearino]

I don't know if you have the trunk lid built with the close out on it already but it is good to start with that and work forward from there. After the trunk lid is built setting it in place shows you where to set the forward rim of the trunk lid bed. Then you can work up the hill  from the center of the deck to the bottom of the rear window. This is about 12 to 12 1/2" up. That leaves you with whatever gap at the top you need to fill.

[BigBlockSam]

this is the best pic that shows the space above the plug i have . i didn't use measurements . i notched the sail panels then placed the plug in place and pulled it donwn and it kinda sat in place all by itself .
i also left as much of the structure on the back of the plug as i could  for strength.
definitely do the trunk lid first  .if thats correct everything else should fall in place  

[Crabtree charger]

Perfect. That is good info guys. Love the pics too! I'm off and runnin and later tonight will post my progress pics.

[pandamarie]

I will look for my pics, no one is showing the inside where they had to take the inner skin off and do some trimming to make it fit up tight in the sail panels. That was the hardest part, once that is done the rest is easy.

[Highbanked Hauler]

I will look for my pics, no one is showing the inside where they had to take the inner skin off and do some trimming to make it fit up tight in the sail panels. That was the hardest part, once that is done the rest is easy.

       How much problem is getting the headliner to fit the frame and what did you use for a rear package tray ?

[Crabtree charger]

I will look for my pics, no one is showing the inside where they had to take the inner skin off and do some trimming to make it fit up tight in the sail panels. That was the hardest part, once that is done the rest is easy.

I took the under skin off the other day and tonight ground the edges clean for a good fit to the inner sail panel. I am working on the dutchman panel fittment now. Unfortunately I dont have a trunk lid close out panel. I hope I don't have to remove the whole support structure from the skin. I have'nt figured that out yet. I also plan on fitting the trunk hinges tonight.

[pandamarie]

I'm making a package tray out of aluminum, haven't done the headliner yet but using the old headliner teeth cut down and welded back in place.

[BigBlockSam]

I will look for my pics, no one is showing the inside where they had to take the inner skin off and do some trimming to make it fit up tight in the sail panels. That was the hardest part, once that is done the rest is easy.

never took the inner skin off . you need that for structure strength .just trim the edges . remember chargers flex real bad. thats why you need frame connecters and even with that you get body flex back were the plug is . i've seen fiberglass and vega plugs crack the bodywork .

plus you have to transfer the headliner teeth and the tabs for the window trim. it's easier if you do it before you install the plug permanently .

i used 1/4 plywood wrapped in a perforated leather for the package tray looks real good . 1/8 is to thin it flexes   

[Crabtree charger]

pics

[Daytona Guy]

I would keep the reinforcement - There is like 3 layers in some spots. Here is a drawing - I overlap kind of like the quarters as seen here.







screencast
image hosting websites

[Crabtree charger]

Thanks for the excelently detailed picture Dane. We got the winow and all adjoining parts tacked in last night. My fabricator friend  got froggy with the window while I was cooking steaks and when I saw it after dinner he had it wounted already. I cant believe how it fits so perfectly between the sail panels.

[Stevearino]

Lookin' good!

[AKcharger]

Go Crabtree!
 

[Crabtree charger]

Thanks for the positive replies. it is getting final welding as we speak. I'm going to have to deal with shrinkiing up some warpage.

[BigBlockSam]

over lap brother , over lap

[Highbanked Hauler]

over lap brother , over lap

      Its SSSSOOOO much easier.

[CornDogsCharger]

I'll have to freshen up on the Vega plug swap myself... I'll be doing it in the near future on my C500 clone project.  Great work guys!!

Justin
"CornDog"

[Daytona Guy]

Thanks for the positive replies. it is getting final welding as we speak. I'm going to have to deal with shrinkiing up some warpage.

You have to post some pics!!

Dane

[farm966]

Thanks for all of this information guys....I am tearing down my 70 charger now to make a "tona clone. I have the Vega hatch, but I have not tackled that part of the car yet. One big question, do I have to cut down any off of the top of the sail panels before placing the Vega hatch on the car? Thanks

David
Ocala, Fl

[Crabtree charger]

Thanks for all of this information guys....I am tearing down my 70 charger now to make a "tona clone. I have the Vega hatch, but I have not tackled that part of the car yet. One big question, do I have to cut down any off of the top of the sail panels before placing the Vega hatch on the car? Thanks

David
Ocala, Fl

I found that there are two schools on how to do this. One is to overlap the edge of the vega hatch over the sail panel. I have even heard of some people cutting into the sail panel. I found that when the sides of the hatch is trimmed upto the edge of window channel and placed between the sail panels that it fits like it was made for this application. Like a glove. I removed the entire under skin first but left the double layered window channel intact. I will try to upload some pictures this weekend to help you out. Oh, and you need a 71 through 74 b-body dutchman panel for for the trunk drip channel. this does n't just fall inplace until it is cut to length, notched to fit the existing channel and the channel itself must be cut off and reattached higher to meet the original channel. Wheeeeew! Because I had a good freind a welder helping me this proccess took one day to do including a spliced in filler piece between the top of the hatch and the original window opening. The next day took hours to weld it solid.
Darryl

[BigBlockSam]

I found that when the sides of the hatch is trimmed upto the edge of window channel and placed between the sail panels that it fits like it was made for this application.

it will lay flat if you do that. it's suppose to be curved . it will work but it won't look as good or correct as it could or be as strong as the overlap . the more metal you take off the plug the weaker it will be 

[xx29440charger]

any updates?

[XS29L9B2]

what is a vega cars?

[JPM]

what is a vega cars?

[XS29L9B2]

thank you jpm now i search it  in France lol

[JPM]

No easy to find here... Peshaps in Belgium or in Swiss.

What year/model is required ?

[JPM]

XS29L9B2, the solution is here !  

this is the best pic that shows the space above the plug i have . i didn't use measurements . i notched the sail panels then placed the plug in place and pulled it donwn and it kinda sat in place all by itself .
i also left as much of the structure on the back of the plug as i could  for strength.
definitely do the trunk lid first  .if thats correct everything else should fall in place  

[70daytonaclone]

Ahhh! the over lap technique what a brain storm. I have off and on intertained the building of a clone. I will have to find my plug and lay it up for a
fitment. Thanks to the telling of this part of the conversion my stalled project is headed back to the future. Thanks to Dane and BBS.

[BigBlockSam]

good luck bro!   

[hotrod98]

I'm repeating myself here but if you use the third gen Dutchman, be sure to allow extra material at the front of the deck lid. The steps in the 3rd gen Dutchman are wider than the original daytonas and if you make the front lip too narrow, you will have a deck lid that leaks like a sieve. The front lip has to clear the two bumps in the closeout panel for the gasket to have a place to fit properly. It's about a 3/8ths of an inch more but this measurement comes after the 3rd gen is in place.

I first discovered the similarity between the 3rd gen Dutchman and the Daytona deck lid closeout panel back in February of 2006 when I laid one of my closeout panels on my 74 Dodge Charger. Hard to believe that it's been eight years.

When I install the vega plugs, I leave the double wall around the glass opening for strength. I then slice the sail panels with a cutoff wheel to make the back window opening slightly larger and lay the plug in place with about an inch overlap. I tack weld the quarter sails back for strength. These cars flex so much that butt welding them may eventually fail.
The plug in the correct location leaves a two inch gap at the top. You should make a lip at the bottom of the vega plug that just fits over the front edge of the Dutchman. Hint...you can use the piece that you cut off of the bottom of the vega plug to make the filler for the top edge.
I use an English wheel to relax the bottom of the vega plug. Then the plug lays in like it was made for it. I used to make some cuts on the sides of the plug but it still required quite a bit of work to make it fit correctly. I no longer use that method.

I make a filler to close off the passenger compartment from the trunk. It also serves as a shelf for the back of the package tray trim panel to sit on. I used to make headliner retainers but my trim shop just glues the headliner into place. The "teeth" are not needed. Waste of time and energy.

Don't weld anything permanently into place until you've installed the vega plug, the dutchman and the shortened deck lid.

The single biggest mistake that I've seen is not final fitting the deck lid after the Dutchman is in place. If you do the deck lid first it will not fit the opening or the steps properly.  The radius of the third gen is not exactly the same as the closeout panel. You must compensate for this.

This is the pic that I took back in 2006. It was a "eureka" moment for me.  I was stressing over how to make the stepped filler.

[hotrod98]

This isn't a great pic but it shows how much deeper the 3rd gen step is than an original 69 Charger step.

[Daytona Guy]

[XS29L9B2]

nice work and thank your for your explication 

[BigBlockSam]

 

[XS29L9B2]

NOW i will find one rear hatchback window to vega 

[JPM]

NOW i will find one rear hatchback window to vega 

... and the guy who can do that ! 

[Charger-Bodie]

NOW i will find one rear hatchback window to vega 

I've got a really nice one, but it's probably way too much shipping.

[XS29L9B2]

  it s a very good new pm me for your price   thank you