Opening hatch window?

[Festiva_tunner]

You can put a hole in tempered glass. It's not so much "drilling" a hole as grinding a hole into it.

If it were me, I'd take it to a glass shop for 2 reasons.

1) They have the proper equipment.

2) If they break it (and if it's not done right, a good possibility) you can have them replace it.

Two good points along the lines of what I was thinking

[shawnw]

A glass shop would be the best place to get the cuts done, and the idea of truck canopy locks/handles sounds good. Looks like I'll be making the rounds at the junkyards next week.

[JPT]

A glass shop would be the best place to get the cuts done, and the idea of truck canopy locks/handles sounds good. Looks like I'll be making the rounds at the junkyards next week.

...and doing a good write up with lots of pics when you're done, right?

[shawnw]

I'll try

[batstiva]

As Yoda says, "Do, or not do, there is no try!"

[festivaWES]

You can't drill tempered glass....or grind a hole in it either.

[JPT]

You can't drill tempered glass....or grind a hole in it either.

After doing some reading (mostly about custom aquariums), I have to agree. It can be done, but the chances of the glass shattering is incredibly high. Many articles lead me to believe that you'll go through dozens of hatch windows before you get even one hole done.

Here's an idea. Put the glass in a frame and attach the hardware to it.

[deathegg]

I've played around with making the hatch split. So from about middle brake light level would open up, and below would open downward (like a tailgate). Mostly just for stupid curiosity, but I could see times when it might come in handy.

I think this idea is more do-able, taking into consideration the difficulty of drilling glass.
Honda Civic hatchbacks ('92-'95) had the dual gate, where the glass opened up, and the lower part of the gate flipped down like a tailgate. So, the Honda can provide the hinges, locks, etc.

[Willkster]

I was thinking the same thing because it would be very convenient to put my longboard in and have it hang out the back window. Just wanted to ressurect this thread to see if there was any luck on this or if anyone else has done this. Thanks.

My reasoning for it is that I'd like to be able to carry my surf board in the festiva without having to buy some overpriced roof rack.
I'm just playing with the idea in my head but if I can find a hatch around here for a decent price that isn't rusted out along the window seal I might give it a try.
Find some hinges from a taurus wagon, escape or similar. Take the window out and swap the weatherstripping with a different car. Figure out a latch system, maybe with recycled rear side window latches or get creative and figure out a way to put a lock in the window or use a jeeps hood latch things and voila! Probably would be much more complicated than it seems but would look pretty cool, espesially if some gas shocks were installed to make it look a little more factory.

[frankenfester]

You can't drill tempered glass....or grind a hole in it either.

But a sharp razor will scratch it! I've gotten several scratches from those flat single edged razors used for tint/decal removal.

-James

[scitzz]

But a sharp razor will scratch it! I've gotten several scratches from those flat single edged razors used for tint/decal removal.

-James

Yeah, but it shatters...

[bravekozak]

Just buy a funtop Mazda 121. Problem solved.

[bobbyspider]

get a 4x8 peice of LexanŽ/polycarbonate I could get you one for under $200. The rear window measures less than 22x55 so with a 4x8 you could do the rear side windows too.

[gurry624]

If anybody needs any glass, I have a full rear hatch w/ window. And one each of both door windows and rear side windows.

[MONSOON]

4 years old... That may be a record. Id have to look.
In the mean time. Congrats!