Pop-Out Quarter Window Installation:

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Installing Pop-Out Quarter Windows for a Sleek Look

Introduction:

If you're in the midst of restoring a classic VW Beetle, you know that every detail matters. At JBugs.com, we understand the importance of preserving the integrity of your vintage Volkswagen, especially when it comes to the finishing touches. In this article, we'll guide you through the installation of pop-out quarter windows—a stylish and functional addition that eliminates the need for drilling on your freshly painted car.

Pop-Out Kits for Every Beetle:

At JBugs.com, we offer pop-out kits tailored for pre-1964 and 1965-1977 Beetles. These comprehensive kits include all the necessary hardware, such as hinges, screws, hinge covers, latches, glass, frames, and pre-installed seals. The only additional item you'll need is black or white pinch welt to trim the quarter window opening on your Beetle's body.

Tools Needed:

- Hammer
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Fine Tip Permanent Marker
- Side Cutters
- Center Punch
- 3/32 Drill Bit
- 3/16 Drill Bit

Step 1: Remove the Quarter Windows

The process begins with the simple removal of the existing quarter windows. With an assistant outside the car, gently push the window out from the inside. Be cautious and note that this method only applies to tempered quarter and rear glass. For the front windshield, which is made of laminated safety glass, the seal must be cut to facilitate removal.

Step 2: Prepare the Headliner

Start by cutting the headliner material at the door post, though it's not necessary. This step can be helpful for demonstration purposes, and if done carefully, it won't affect the overall appearance since this area will be covered by the hinge cover.

Step 3: Drill Holes for the Hinge

The headliner hides the mounting holes on the b pillar that were pre-drilled from the factory in 1963 and newer Beetles. For 1962 and earlier models you will have to drill the holes for the front hinge. Have an assistant hold the pop-out window assembly in place in the quarter window opening. Ensure the window is centered, and the hinge is aligned over the body seam. Push the hinge as far forward as possible. Use a center punch to mark five holes for the hinge screws, and drill them out with a 5/32 or 3/16 drill bit while the assembly is in place to act as a guide.

Step 4: Attach Hinge to Pop Out Window

Attach the rear latch to the pop-out frame using the provided hardware.

Step 5: Attach Pop Out Assembly to the Body

The pop-out assembly is set in place at the body and the screw plate is slid in at the body behind the back side of the hinge. The screws thread through the hinge, then the body, through the hinge again and into the screw plate and hold the pop-out in place at the front. Install the upper, lower, and middle screws first, leaving the other two holes for the hinge cover.

Step 6: Position the Rear Latch

1964 and earlier models do not have the holes for the latches pre-drilled. Carefully place the latch on the back of the quarter window opening. The latch is contoured on the back side. Its position at the back of the opening is crucial for it to lie properly against the body. Mark the position with a marker, use a center punch to dimple the panel for drilling.

1965 and later Beetles have the holes pre-drilled but if you have a headliner in the car, they may be difficult to locate. Using the latch as a guide, a punch can be used to feel around for the holes.

Step 7: Install the Rear Latch

A 3/32 drill bit is used to drill your first pre-marked hole. Use caution when drilling so you don't hit or drill through the outside of the car. Set the latch in place, align the screw with the hole, and tighten down the screw. Check the operation of the latch. After making certain that all four screw holes line up horizontally with the latch, center punch the other three holes. Drill out the remaining holes and install the screws.

Step 8:Completing the Installation

Open the window and install the body pinchwelt around the sheet metal edge. Trim it to length and press it into place. Finally, screw the hinge cover into the remaining holes to complete the installation.

Conclusion

With the pop-out quarter windows securely in place, your Beetle is ready for its finishing touches. At JBugs.com, we're committed to providing high-quality parts and accessories for your vintage Volkswagen restoration projects. Stay tuned for the next steps in the restoration process, and in the meantime, visit JBugs.com for all your Volkswagen needs. Happy restoring!

Video Transcript:

Intro Hello, Sam here with JBugs.com The last thing we want to install before we send our 1963 Resto Custom Beetle to paint and body is pop out quarter windows, as we never like drilling on a freshly painted car. We offer pop-out kits for pre-1964 and 1965-1977 Beetles. The kits include all the hardware needed to install [the] pop-out windows including the hinges, screws, hinge covers, and the latches along with the glass, frames and pre-installed seals. The only other item you'll need to order is black or white pinch welt to install on the body to trim off the quarter window opening. Getting started, remove the quarter windows which is [as] simple as pushing the window out from the inside. Quarter Window Removal An assistant outside the car to grab the window is helpful as we actually used a foot since our seals were so dried out. Window Removal Important Information As a side note, pushing windows out only applies to the tempered quarter and rear glass. Do NOT push out the windshield as the laminated safety glass will shatter. The windshield seal must be cut to remove the front window. B Pillar Hinge Drilling Location We'll start the installation by cutting the headliner material at the door post to better demonstrate our process. Cutting the material isn't necessary but can be helpful and if done carefully, won’t matter to the overall look as this area will be covered by the hinge cover. The headliner hides the mounting holes on the b pillar that were pre-drilled from the factory in 1963 and newer Beetles. 1962 and earlier models will have to drill the holes for the front hinge. which we'll cover here. Have an assistant hold the pop-out window assembly in place in the quarter window opening, On the inside, verify that the window is centered in the opening and that the hinge is in place over the body seam. Push the hinge as far forward as possible, we're using the back of a hammer. Use a center punch to mark the 5 holes for the hinge screws on the body. Drill the holes out with a 5/32 or 3/16 drill bit while leaving the pop-out assembly in place. The hinge for the assembly acts as a guide and can prevent a wandering drill bit Once the holes are drilled, the pop-out assembly can be pulled and the shavings can be cleaned up. Pop-Out Quarter Window Preparation The rear latch, the left and right sides on the latches are marked, is installed onto the pop-out frame with the included hardware. Pop-Out Hinge Assembly Installation The pop-out assembly is set in place at the body and the screw plate is slid in at the body behind the back side of the hinge. The screws thread through the hinge, then the body, through the hinge again and into the screw plate and hold the pop-out in place at the front. The upper, lower and middle screws install first and hold the assembly into place. The other two holes are for the hinge cover that will be installed later. Rear Pop-Out Window Latch Installation With the front hinge screwed in place, we can position the rear latch on the back of the quarter window opening. 1964 and earlier cars do not have the holes for the latches pre-drilled. Careful placement of the latch is needed as the latch is contoured on the back side. Its position at the back of the opening is crucial for it to lie properly against the body. 1965 and later Beetles have the holes pre-drilled but if you have a headliner in the car, they may be difficult to locate. Using the latch as a guide, a punch can be used to feel around for the holes. We have our latch mocked up in place behind the edge of the body opening and mark the position with a marker. We then double check our placement before using a center punch to dimple the panel for the drill. The latch is moved and a 3/32 drill bit is used to drill a hole. Use caution when drilling so you don't hit or drill through the outside of the car. The latch is set in place, a screw is installed the latch is lined up and the screw is tightened down. We check the operation of the latch and after making certain that all four screw holes line up horizontally with the latch, center punch the other three holes. The holes are drilled out and the remaining screws are installed and tightened down. We test the latch one more time. Next, we can open the window [and] install the body pinch welt which presses onto the sheet metal edge. Pinch Welt Installation Starting at one side of the front hinge all the way around the opening to the opposite side of the hinge. The pinch welt is trimmed to length and pressed into place. Hinge Cover Installation The hinge cover can be screwed into the two remaining holes to finish off the installation. The opposite side pop-out is installed in the same method and we can send the '63 Resto Custom Beetle off for paint and body. When it’s back, we'll get to finishing up the restoration but in the meantime, we can get to work on our 1971 Euro Look Super Beetle; tearing down the body and going through the engine. Thanks for watching, stay tuned, and in the meantime head over to JBugs.com for all the parts and accessories you'll need for your vintage Volkswagen restoration.