Want to trade doors from Chevy Express?

[ChezCheese:-)]

We have a 2006 Chevy Express with the sliding side door with no window. In perfect condition. Does anyone have a sliding door from a Chevy/GMC that would fit, but with a window, who, for reasons of stealth, would like to have a door with no window? Wanna trade?

Alternatively, has anyone actually put in a window in a Chevy Express sliding door which didn't have one before? Because I am wondering if it is possible. I'm looking at the indentation for the windows in the back barn doors, and it seems to be deeper than the indentations in the sides and door of the van. These windows don't really have a frame. They seem to just sort of clip in. I can get an OEM window for very reasonable, but can it actually be put into a door that didn't originally have one?

 

[highdesertranger]

anything is possible but, when you have a factory window the edge that holds the rubber is reinforced with multiple layers of sheet metal. you don't have this. IMO it would be much easier to install an aftermarket window. highdesertranger

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

Yeah, I was afraid of that. That's why I'm thinking about a whole door swap. There's a guy over on expedition portal who did that, and it sounds easier than installing an aftermarket window.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Your odds of finding someone local to you on this forum with a window and wanting a swap are slim.
Imho, best to hit your local Salvage yard or Craig's for parts. Door swap best and easiest.

 

[MrNoodly]

Getting the sliding doors installed and aligned so they slide and latch/unlatch properly can be tricky. Some of the bolt holes are actually slots to allow adjustment, which also means they will require adjustment and enough understanding of how the system works in order to know which attachment points need adjustment. And if you do this, don't forget to swap locks so you have the one that matches the rest of yours.

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

I have located one in a salvage yard, but I thought I'd ask anyway. (I've got 2 rolls of butyl tape on the way and then people here chimed in that they had extra rolls lying around, so I thought it can't hurt to see if anyone wanted my windowless door instead of their windowed door. Can't know till you ask. )

An aftermarket window will run almost as much as the door.

So in a few weeks, I should have a stealth door for sale...

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

Here is how a guy over on Expedition Portal did it:

"Swapping the door out was easy enough. I tracked down a salvage yard in Fort Collins that had a wrecked Express with the coveted window slider, pulled it off and took it home. I removed the trim panel and swapped out the door handle and lock hardwear from my old door to the new. I then used a silver sharpie to mark the location of all the mounting bolts and mounting brackets (they're adjustable) on my original door so that I could mount the new door in the same configuration. I then stacked some tubs under the slider to help support the weight and a friend and I unbolted and removed the old door. We transferred the mounting brackets to the new door and hung it in it's new configuration. With the sharpie as a guide the new door required only minimal adjustment to fit squarely and slide open and shut easily. Since the Express cargo has no electric locks the whole operation was relatively simple."

 

[Beeps and eats]

You can always take it to a dealership and ask them if it's possible and go from there.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

What fun is that?