"Custom" rear window possible?

[X5SND]

Just a quick question gents.....

Does anyone know if its possible to get a rear hatch glass made without the hole for the rear wiper?

As with the roof rail holes, I'm not a fan of the plastic cap solution, and am after something a bit more...permanent.

-S

[Ricky Bobby]

I'm sure its possible to get the glass made without the hole, do you currently have it plugged on the rear? I'd call up window distributors and tell them you have no rear wiper on your X5 and need replacement rear glass, it will probably confuse them at first but maybe they'd order from the manufacturer without the hole for rear wiper!


And if you are looking for something more permanent on the holes for the roof with the rack deleted, well that's a job for some sheet metal and a welder

[TwinTurboGTR]

I concur, but the price of the custom glass will be astronomical. I'm not sure you can get factory glass specs without the opening for the wiper. Just curious, why do you want to remove it? That glass gets hard to see out of when in the rain and the spray from the road hits the glass.

As for the holes for the roof rack, Some sheet metal and MIG welder would do the trick, but you will need to repaint the whole roof. IMHO, no ones else is going to see it with the plugs, why not leave it? Or are you the person like me, if you know it, it will bother you? haha.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

I concur, but the price of the custom glass will be astronomical. I'm not sure you can get factory glass specs without the opening for the wiper. Just curious, why do you want to remove it? That glass gets hard to see out of when in the rain and the spray from the road hits the glass.

As for the holes for the roof rack, Some sheet metal and MIG welder would do the trick, but you will need to repaint the whole roof. IMHO, no ones else is going to see it with the plugs, why not leave it? Or are you the person like me, if you know it, it will bother you? haha.

Spencer is definitely like me, OCD as all hell!


Although I am debating deleting the rear wiper, I have seen older threads with a 1 1/8" plug is used to plug the hole, I wouldn't mind the plug on the glass since it would be cost prohibitive to get new rear glass custom made and then go and get the rear window re-tinted so it matches the rest of mine.


As for the roof rack, I was debating doing the rack delete but I'm like the OP and I'd want it clean finished all over, so those will probably stay! (plus I don't have any body kit on the car and I feel you need a slightly lower stance plus a front spoiler or front/rear lips to pull off the deleted rack look)

[X5SND]

Lol RB, you nailed it.

I don't currently have the rear wiper out as IMO, driving around with the plug in the back window looks a bit bush league.....you can tell there was obviously something there. As for why I what to get rid of it? Simple. I never use it. I'm use to driving things with no rear view mirror anyway, and my X is rarely even dirty enough to need it. The odd time I hit it by accident, all it seems to do is scratch the glass anyway (you can actually see them from one end of the wiper arc to the other on the glass). I figured I'd probably have to talk directly with a manufacturer about this...I was hoping to save some time and talk to someone that may have already gone down this road.

As for the roof rails...Those I did cap them for the moment; with the intention of getting those permanently filled. I spoke to a couple professional welders (both mig & tig), and both were nervous about warping the metal surrounding the holes. In all likely hood I'll be machining a plug with a threaded stud on the end to fill the majority of the hole, then using a structural adhesive/filler to finish it off. I'm well aware that the entire roof is going to need to be resprayed, but I plan to do that with a new hood and new hatch all at once (the seams are rusting).

[Ricky Bobby]

bush league works for me as far as the rear wiper goes, I may be deleting mine in the coming weeks as, like you, I never use it.

However for roof rack, you're correct, needs to be done right.

[X5SND]

Bush league was perhaps a crude term to use...capping the rear wiper hole is what everyone does, and what everyone else does just ain't how I roll! Lol

[jsoto]

With the muck and grime due to the aerodynamics of the car, I don't see how a Delete would be a good thing...especially during winter

[motordavid]

I wish there were an easy fix/plug, too... I have literally never turned on the rear wiper in almost 12 yrs of having the car.

The only time it was ever on was when 'Juanted' drove the hell outta it at a meet at his house, lol!

Same for the CEO's Hyundai Tuck: the rear has never been on in three years.
No rear vision problems, here.
GL, D

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I wish there were an easy fix/plug, too... I have literally never turned on the rear wiper in almost 12 yrs of having the car.

The only time it was ever on was when 'Juanted' drove the hell outta it at a meet at his house, lol!

Same for the CEO's Hyundai Tuck: the rear has never been on in three years.
No rear vision problems, here.
GL, D

Well ol' mD, got a fix for you, just need to find yourself a 1 1/8" plug at one of the home improvement stores, dab a little silicone to keep it weathertight, and you can remove your rear wiper/linkage assembly quite easily.

Like you I rarely have ever used mine (twice maybe?), and by the time my rear window is gunked up enough its time for a wash.