Off the shelf windscreen?

[woodsmith]

Been a while since I was last well enough to work on my projects but hopefully back again now.

I am trying to figure out where to get a windscreen from to develop a cockpit around.

I am after something from a commonly available car or kit, not too expensive to get new/used, laminated to meet MSVA requirements. I guess that's usual for most of us anyway.

However, this is the long shot! I am after one that is only about 900mm - 1100mm wide (about 36"-44"), give or take a bit. I am really trying to keep the overall width of the cab a lot less then 1200mm (48").
The height is less of an issue but taller would be better.

Thank you.

[redratbike]

I'd start visiting some scrapyards if I was you...don't forget your tapemeasure

[woodsmith]

My local scrapy wants to know what car I am looking for before I can get past the gates.

I could tell them anything but they also don't like me wondering about.


What I am looking for is an idea for a laminated screen that is narrow enough. All the cars I can think of are all over 4' wide and nearly 5' in some cases. Too wide to consider.

I did find an old bus windscreen, half a split screen, but that would be silly money to replace if I were to break it. Not sure Autoglass would be able to replace it either.

I just can't think of anything with a narrow enough screen to start looking for.

[GazDavies]

Half a land rover Mk3 screen? Also as well as looking at just windscreens, maybe it would be worth looking at rear windows.

[redratbike]

Good idea about rear windows..

So you want a flat screen not a curved one?

[woodsmith]

Originally Posted by GazDavies

Half a land rover Mk3 screen? Also as well as looking at just windscreens, maybe it would be worth looking at rear windows.

The Land Rover one is square at the middle end and angled at the outer end so not symmetrical. I thought of using both pieces, vertically, to make a tall split screen but they end up a bit too narrow then.

I looked at some rear screens, again Land Rover, but I was reminded that the wind screen needs to be laminated and the rear screen usually isn't. That rules out doing a split screen with a pair of side windows too.


I don't mind flat or curved as I will use the screen as a basis for the rest of the cockpit shape.

Maybe I could build without a screen for the IVA/MSVA and then just get a glazier to cut a flat laminated screen afterwards. Not sure if I could do that legally though, especially insurance wise, as the screen wouldn't be type approved.

[woodsmith]

Just had a thought.

Tractor/JCB windscreen? Are they laminated and type approved?

[GreatOldOne]

How about one of these:

http://www.kitspares.co.uk/shop/item.php?product=4828

Or, if you're comfortable fabing your own uprights and frame (and I've seen your work so far, so I guess you'd be up for it ), you can just buy the glass:

http://www.kitspares.co.uk/shop/item.php?product=4829

[woodsmith]

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Or, if you're comfortable fabing your own uprights and frame (and I've seen your work so far, so I guess you'd be up for it ), you can just buy the glass:

http://www.kitspares.co.uk/shop/item.php?product=4829

Perfect! Well, it is short but I can design around that so not a problem. Yes, the intention was to build the whole surround and cockpit/cabin around the available glazing.
Thank you, you certainly deserve your name!

I take it that toughened glass is as acceptable as laminated glass then?
That opens up the rear window glass options again!

[charliieee]

i work for a windscreen company we often cut flat laminated glass to order would this be an option?

[woodsmith]

Originally Posted by charliieee

i work for a windscreen company we often cut flat laminated glass to order would this be an option?

I am hoping for something with a curve but flat is ok. The main issues are type approval and BS marks to get through the MSVA inspection, and ease (low cost) of replacement should it get damaged in the future.

Is your cut glass going to be 'approved' for the MSVA?