1989 Dodge High Top-continuing thread

[66788]

Blackout window coverings.

I was looking at commercial conversion van curtains, but could not find anything that I like. I think there are very few van conversion places left anymore.

I had a roll of Reflectix and decided to use that. I cut the reflectix to fit each of the 4 door windows and made 2 brackets each from extruded aluminum bought at Home Depot.





I made the Reflectix plain on one side for summer, and glued felt on the other side to make it appear to be a limo tint from the outside. Using the black facing out the reflectix will help hold the heat in the winter.





One clip on each side holds the Reflectix securely and when the Reflectix is not in the window, the clip is hardly noticeable.

Next up: Cabin divider...

 

[Simran]

This is an excellent idea. I love the brackets you made to hold the reflectix. Simple but effective.

 

[highdesertranger]

right on, looks good. give us a report of how it works as far as insulation. highdesertranger

 

[66788]

Different window technique:

This window is located behind the driver's seat and is 45 inches long. Individual clips would be more difficult to use because of the long span. I chose to use a rail mount top and bottom instead.

A molded plastic trim piece sold at Home Depot is used because:

1. It's cheap,
2. It cuts and works easily as the offset for the Reflectix is already molded in, and
3. It just happened to be the correct color for my interior!



The following picture is of the installed rails without the Reflectix



And with the Reflectix slipped securely in place:



This setup seals in the light and forms a dead air zone about 3 inches thick.

Total cost for 8 foot piece: $5.00 plus 8 small screws

 

[LeeRevell]

Different window technique:

This window is located behind the driver's seat and is 45 inches long. Individual clips would be more difficult to use because of the long span. I chose to use a rail mount top and bottom instead.

A molded plastic trim piece sold at Home Depot is used because:

1. It's cheap,
2. It cuts and works easily as the offset for the Reflectix is already molded in, and
3. It just happened to be the correct color for my interior!

This setup seals in the light and forms a dead air zone about 3 inches thick.

Total cost for 8 foot piece: $5.00 plus 8 small screws

Most excellent ideas! I like that top&bottom rail system especially!

 

[66788]

right on,  looks good.  give us a report of how it works as far as insulation.  highdesertranger

Report for HDR:

The reflectix does a great job of insulating the windows of my Dodge van.   I camped with just cloth curtains over the windows using my Olympian Wave 3 heater on high setting and it was too cold for that small of a heater to do a good job.

After hand fitting reflectix covers for each window I camped in 17 degree F. weather (snowing outside) with the Wave 3 on low setting and it actually got too warm inside and I had to raise the roof vent a bit more to be comfortable.

The tight fitting reflectix creates a 1 1/2" dead air zone between the window and the reflectix itself.   This dead air zone is what actually keeps the van so well insulated as opposed to losing all the warmth through the single pane van windows.

I now know that I can be comfortable in the van with outside temps below 17 degrees F., possibly down to 10 degrees or less.