windshield down driving

kenc80 · Post by **kenc80** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:10 pm

As I freeze down here in SC I have been daydreaming of windshield down driving this summer in my A1, which has original glass panes.

my questions is: will lowering the front windshield put the glass at greater risk for cracks, breaking, vibration etc etc or am I pretty good to go?

I read online a guy with an MB absolutely loves running "topless" in the summers.

Just wanted to make sure it was safe for the winshield!

Cheers and stay warm fellas!

Ken

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:21 pm

An observation from a guy with 30 yrs in the glazing industry.

When transporting glass always transport in a vertical position-(on edge).
Glass when on a horizontal plane will bow or sag under it's own weight
therefore is at a higher risk of breakage.

Glass lites in 1/4" lami at the sizes we use in our jeeps are relatively
safe from breakage provided your glazing gaskets are tight and in
good condition and your windshield frame is securely strapped down.

Just bear in mind that glass on a horizontal plane, unless its laying
flat on a table, is always at greater
risk for breakage than glass on a vertical plane.

My 2c, hope it helps.

kenc80 · Post by **kenc80** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:16 pm

thanks Rick - I'm assuming you tie your windshield down even for short drives then?

Cheers,

Ken

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:24 pm

Always securely tie it down when driving.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:17 am

Damage to the glass while driving with the windshield down and unsecured
would have you answering a statement of charges..

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:31 am

Wear goggles. Looks military as all heck, and really,
really beats a bug in the eye at 30 MPH!

Jim in Darkest Arkansas

Post by **wesk** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:07 am

Check your local laws. A few states do not allow operation on the road without a windshield and some require the used of a facemask or goggles when operation without a windshield.

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 8:48 am

Almost every photo I've seen of Jeeps in combat areas show the windshield folded down - to reduce glare off the glass, lower vehicle height and so the occupants could see and shoot. That's why the windshield folds down and the vehicle is meant to operate that way.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 1:23 pm

Willie and Joe, after reading Patton's regs for the
3rd. Army, called HQ and said they were detouring.
One of the regs was about windshields.

Jim in Darkest Arkansas

timjuhl · Post by **timjuhl** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 8:38 pm

I frequently drive with the windshield strapped down with no problems. Indeed, when I tow the Jeep on my trailer I strap it down as well. The reason for the latter is reduced drag and to protect it from flying stones.

I would think that with the relatively small size of the panes, if the glass is tight in the frame it should ride OK.

One thing I do to protect the paint on the hood when the windshield is down is slip a piece of foam like they use to wrap pipes around the frame standoffs. It provides a little more cushion than the stock webbing.

Tim

Xamon · Post by **Xamon** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:49 am

Little side question, for those who regularly drive window down, do you have the locking strip on the outside or inside of the window? I know when I took mine out it was on the outside.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:37 am

The lock strip or "bead" is on the inside per the TM. Facilitates glass
replacement with windshield frame folded down on the hood.

SteveJ · Post by **SteveJ** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:08 pm

I got to admit I prefer the window down. Jeeps got a nice quiet feeling about it.

Though when Im out on an errand on the road and prefer the better security and no bugs in my teeth I run with the window up.

An you know it looks great both ways.

windshield down driving

windshield down driving

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