Installing WINDOWS In My Tiny Camper Van...(And What To Do When It Goes WRONG!)

[@mikeclare5907]

good day to you, Mike from Co Durham. I have followed your van build with interest and have used it as a template for my nv200 van. Certainly not copied but took note of your style and skills and the way you did the build. I am enjoying my van just like you i suspect. Jobs to do though, and very much an ongoing project. This video, phewwwwww ! Thank goodness for the company you found to put things right. My thoughts are that your skills and job turnout have been really good and i am envious of you, this job did not go to plan....................you are quite brave to put it on you tube, you did not have to. Great job James, carry on enjoying the van. Mike

[@LensOfJames]

Hi Mike, thanks for the kind words. I considered not putting it on KZbin, but wanted to be truthful about my experience and figured others might have had the same issues as me. Just glad it's all sorted now :) Cheers, James

[@tonysutton6559]

I think that getting the pros to sort out the problem was by far the best idea. It might have cost a few bob but it's worth it for the peace of mind.

[@nljaaaa]

Wow! Looks like amazing!

[@davidhart5284]

Well done James, glad you got professional help. It is nice to do things yourself but sometimes the experts can give invaluable help. Glad you weren’t afraid to seek help either, it’s nothing to be ashamed of and you can learn so much in this way.

[@rogertaylor712]

Having done the windows in my van and a friends, I agree the adhesive is very hard to get out with a standard gun. I found warming them in a pan of hot water helped a lot. I would say you just didn’t get a thick enough bead of adhesive on to allow it to stick in all places. I also put the trim on after the windows which meant I could push the windows on tighter to the metal. Looks good though 👍

[@LensOfJames]

Great tips, thank you!

[@ElliotMelloy]

The windows looks really nice! Sometimes getting help is the best way, there are a couple of things on my NV where I wish I had asked for help. They are still functional but I have to look at them every time I'm camping, and I think repeatedly seeing an imperfect job might be more painful over time than just getting it done professionally. I spy Pendeen Lighthouse and the tin mines in the background! I just came back from travelling around Cornwall for two months and spent a lot of time in that area, it's a really nice place. Didn't see any other NV's though.

[@robinjones6692]

I have to say and award you for trying such a difficult job yourself. I'm no expert at all, but fitting windows into a vehicle isn't an easy job for first timers, so well done you, and a big thank you for pointing this out.👍

[@marksadventures3889]

the only windows you'd see me installing anywhere. Oh and well done, yeah, good job with the window in the van.

[@Britbabe53]

Wow, that's a drag about the leaks. I bought an NV200 recently as well, but I was adamant that I would only look at models with rear windows. Glad yours finally worked out!

[@VJIX]

Amazing as always!

[@dedoers2170]

Hey James. Greetings from Germany! (Sorry about my English) We've had an NV200 until last year when we suddenly needed a third seat in the van. Now we have a Sprinter and the first thing we've done was to cut some holes into the back doors and glue some windows into it. We didn't really have the profession to do this properly and after watching your video I am more than glad that it worked out and is not leaking in the end! If this can happen to someone with your skills, then I can really call me a lucky one, that it doesn't happen to me! So, now for something different: I have a small hint for everyone who wants to put holes in the van: it is a little tricky to follow the correct line with the saw. If you cut from the inside, the edge of the metal is in the way, so you can't place the jigsaw properly. If you cut from the outside, you don't really see the line that you should follow. The solution for me was simply cutting from the outside while looking from the inside and holding the jigsaw around the corner. This works until you are running out of arm length. By cutting off the part you already have so you have the first half of your hole, you can grab your jigsaw through that hole and cut out the rest in the same way. That is much easier for me, then transferring the line were you have to cut from the inside to the outside. I hope this was kinda understandable and maybe a little bit helpful for some people 😃

[@LensOfJames]

Thanks for the kind words, glad yours worked out well! That's a great tip - might have to do that if I attempt windows again!

[@samwolf2539]

Thats the only bit of my van conversion I didn't do myself I used a company in St Neots they where really friendly, quick and not to expensive .

[@1frogass1]

A tip for putting on the trim, start it in a less noticeable place. Like top outside almost corner.

[@SteveHazel]

my van had those windows when i bought it. and i'm pretty happy bout that :)

[@LensOfJames]

I wish mine had them already installed 😂

[@kaykrochet9099]

Good on you man! I am impressed with your work. Just a fluke huh that it didn’t work. Glad you found someone to help improve what you did.

[@LensOfJames]

Thanks, learnt a lot along the way!

[@LensOfJames]

🔥 Want to see more from my *Nissan NV200 Tiny Camper Van Conversion Series* ? Check out the entire build here: kzbin.info/aero/PLsBWh_QNwDUcgnWcDnJeoHZI_nelRdkUY 🔥

[@zolyomi.z.balazs]

Still great to see the evolution of this tiny van, thank you! Would you make any update about what would you change or do differently?

[@LensOfJames]

Glad your enjoying the videos! I've got a video on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZXFi4l3bc1ji6c :)

[@john-ec6sy]

i did all 6 windows myself, the back 2 were definitely more dificult to do than the other 4 due to the shape off the rear panels. I ended up doing them without the plastic beading on the steel. It was all a bit rushed as i wanted to get them all done so i could leave them overnight and drive the next day. I think you might have gotten away with trying to get 1 extra thick bead across the top. I put my tubes of adhesive in front of a heater to warm them up as its meant to make them easier to them push out with the gun.

[@LensOfJames]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, some great tips! :D

[@nh9842]

Interesting video. Two questions 1. have you ever had a problem with the rear windows misting up .....obviously in cars/combi vans etc the rear windows are almost always heated at the flick of a button. 2. do you find in the absence of wipers that in certain conditons that the rear windows become very difficult to see out of....eg misty light rain..or even heavy rain.

[@paratun7081]

In my opinion, the best solution is to remove the rear doors and glue the glass on a horizontal surface.

[@msdrummerkitty]

Love the windows! Great addition 👏

[@LensOfJames]

Great idea!

[@g47911974]

This was always my concern with getting my windows done, I worked out how much the costs were including purchase of tools etc and decided that it was worth the extra to pay a pro, rather than do it myself he actually came to my home and fitted them, the work has a warranty also. So on this occasion it was worth the piece of mind it gave me.

[@LensOfJames]

Wish I had considered this before, but that's how we learn - glad I've got peace of mind too now!

[@g47911974]

@@LensOfJames agreed, there are many learning curves when converting a van, that's my experience so far, I've taken on board a lot of useful info from your videos too 👍🏻

[@PapiKembar]

Amazing,,,Sehat selalu kawan,,,salam dari Indonesia 😁🙏

[@neilbirch9903]

Nice views of Cornwall Thanks for sharing I do a few van conversion and whilst I can do the job I find the product which comes with the kit isn’t as good as the pro glue , I’ve got a local guy that does them at £100 for the first one and £50 thereafter ( so £150/2) inc fitting and materials and tbh I’m happy with that as I know it’s a good job Thanks for sharing and hopefully will see some more videos soon

[@LensOfJames]

Hi Neil, I think I'll be going down that route next time!

[@Finn-pe7uj]

Hey Neil, do you happen to know who that local guy is? Is he in Cornwall? Cheers :)

[@sunnymas2656]

I had a same problem: New front windscreen needed, to get new MOT (in germany). But the special companies wanted 450 pounds for the whole job. (Including new windscreen.) But too expensive for me. So i bought a new windscreen by a big dealer. And a tool kit by a local dealer, for car parts and accessories. And two vaccum grips, to handle the windscreen. Summary: 110 pounds. The tool to cut the old adhesive = DIY. - Made by steel wire and two woods for handgrip. I have done all, and luckily it works. But it could fail, because my first try in my life. And for a windscreen, you better do it with two persons. Not alone, like I have done. And i got new MOT. So it is normal, to fail at first try. Because it needs more talent and experiences, as it looks. But I try all. Because I fail so small. But I have xx-years of experiences, in car fixing. And my car now, has a back window. I don´t need one to install. Greetings from sw germany.

[@jartotable]

Is there anyway you can hint who did your windows. Everywhere i look for those that have had a pro do it have been hundreds of miles away.

[@thebeardedgeordiephotography]

Looking good! I cheated and bought a 7 seat van then ripped it out to convert 😂

[@LensOfJames]

Ha, great idea! Much easier!

[@AaronRobinson67]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing. As much as I want to do everything myself I’m now going to pay to get mine done as a result of this. Can you tell me who refitted them?

[@LensOfJames]

Thanks! I used vehicleglasscornwall.co.uk. Very happy with their service!

[@stewreviews9345]

I like your van a lot and am thinking of doing something similar. Can you tell us, who did you use for the final window fix and what was the cost?

[@LensOfJames]

Thanks, I used Coast To Coast windows (based in Cornwall) and I've got a short video about the pricing here: kzbin.infoy_SCO2EA9M0?feature=share

[@simonwill70]

Hi Mike, I'm down in West Cornwall as well. Which firm did you use to do the rear windows? Thanks

[@LensOfJames]

Hi Simon, I used Coast To Coast windows 🚐

[@rambledogs2012]

The main take away from this is that you gave it a go and were pretty much there bar the adhesive.

[@davidpiper3652]

I have never fitted windows, I called in the professionals, they had better tools for cutting the holes in the doors, powered glue guns, and it was down to them if they leaked. They didn't leak! Windows are not, IMO a DIY job.

[@LensOfJames]

I think I'm of your school of thought now!

[@davidpiper3652]

@@LensOfJames It's easy to be wise after the event. Or as my dad said, you just gained some life experience.