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Window Louvers

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by NoMoShocks, Feb 16, 2008.

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  1. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    I am so glad that warmer weather has begun to arrive. My mileage to and from work is getting back up to 50 MPH.

    I am becoming more determined than ever to get a set of aluminum louvers for the rear window of my Prius. I have been trying to think of ways to fabricate a set. The metal bending doesn’t look that difficult to me, but the guys at the metal shop at my workplace seem to think attaching the louvers to the side rails would be difficult. On the other hand, they are not enthusiastic about the project like I am. To me, it seems if nothing else, I could use some sort of glue to assemble various pieces.

    One idea would be to get a set from a car with a rear window size very close to the Prius’ rear window which is:
    44 inches wide at the top,
    44.75 inches wide at the base, and
    24 inches from top to base.

    I have found most many window louvers are sold under the trade name Astra Hammond, but I cannot find direct contact information for this company, or any retailers who have specifications for their sizes. They are only sold by car model. If anyone has contact information for Astra Hammond or the Manufacturer, or leads on other rear window louver manufacturers, please share.

    I have also searched for an auto glass database that might describe the dimensions of the rear glass from various cars, but have not found anything like that either. If anyone know of or has access to auto glass dimensions, I would be interested to hear from you.

    Anyone who has one of the following cars, and if the window size and shape, or even just the width look similar to Prius, please measure the width of the rear window area where a louver would rest at the top and the bottom as well as the height and post it here.

    Some of the cars that state “flat center section from 3 piece†actually have rear windows that wrap around the sides, so it might be necessary to use your best guess as to where the flat center section would rest when making measurements.

    Astra Hammond also has ABS plastic louvers for several additional cars, but I don’t think I am really interested in those as I want to minimize any blocking of visibility. If I go plastic, I would probably just fabricate them out of thin Plexiglas and paint it.

    1967-1969, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
    1975-1981, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
    1982-1985, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
    1986-1987, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
    1988-1992, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
    1990-1998, Chevy Cavalier Z24
    1992-1993, Dodge Daytona
    1979-1990, Dodge Laser, Hatchback With Wiper
    1984-1986, Dodge Omni, Hatchback With Wiper
    1989-1990, Ford Escort, Hatchback
    1981-1983, Ford Escort EXP, flat center section from 3 piece
    1979-1993, Ford Mustang, Coupe
    1994-2004, Ford Mustang, Coupe & Mach1
    1965-1966, Ford Mustang Fastback
    1967-1968, Ford Mustang Fastback
    1969-1970, Ford Mustang Fastback
    1971-1973, Ford Mustang Fastback
    1974-1978, Ford Mustang Fastback
    1979-1993, Ford Mustang GT Hatchback
    1989-1992, Ford Probe, Hatchback
    1986-1989, Honda Accord Hatchback, flat center section from 3 piece
    1984-1987, Honda CRX, Hatchback
    1988-1991, Honda CRX, Hatchback With Wiper
    1978-1985, Mazda RX7, Hatchback
    1986-1990, Mazda RX7, Hatchback
    1983-1987, Mercury Capri GT Hatchback, flat center section from 3 piece
    1984-1988, Nissan 200SX, Hatchback With Wiper
    1970-1978, Nissan 240Z, 260Z, 280Z , 2 seat Hatchback
    1974-1978, Nissan 260Z, 280Z, 4 seat Hatchback With Wiper
    1979-1983, Nissan 280 AX, 4 seat Hatchback With Wiper
    1979-1983, Nissan 280ZX, 2 seat Hatchback
    1984-1989, Nissan 300ZX, 2 seat Hatchback With Wiper
    1984-1989, Nissan 300ZX, 4 seat Hatchback With Wiper
    1967-1969, Pontiac Firebird, flat center section from 3 piece
    1970-1974, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
    1975-1981, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
    1982-1985, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
    1988-1992, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
    1982-1985, Pontiac J2000 Sunbird, Hatchback
    1986-1987, Pontiac J2000 Sunbird, Hatchback
    1986-1987, Pontiac Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
    1976-1977, Toyota Celica, Liftback
    1986-1989, Toyota Celica, Liftback
    1986-1989, Toyota Celica, Liftback
    1980-1983, Toyota Corolla, Lowback With Rear Wiper
    1965-1971, Volkswagon Beetle Bug
    1972-1977, Volkswagon Beetle Bug

    I hope Seawolf doesn't mind I doctored up a photo of his car to show what it would look like with lovers on the back.
    Prius Window Louvers.JPG
     
    #1 NoMoShocks, Feb 16, 2008
  2. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I am so glad you are pursuing this. I've had rear louvers in my all of the hatchbacks I've owned and I love them. I looked for some of the Prius but there aren't any. Most people tell me just to get tint. But I know that the louvers would reduce the temps more than tint.

    The biggest problem with louvers is adapting for the rear wiper.

    If you ever find any louvers that will fit the Prius, please, please post it here so I can get some too.
     
    #2 Godiva, Feb 16, 2008
  3. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Have you forgotten how hard it is to see out the back of a Prius?









    Apparently?
     
    #3 patsparks, Feb 16, 2008
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Good point. It might make more sense to paint over the rear window.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Feb 16, 2008
  5. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    You'll probably have to take off the wiper. I've have had mine off for a while now and don't miss it. Having it off increases visibility tremendously.
     
    #5 bestmapman, Feb 16, 2008
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    You must of had a big wiper.

    Tom
     
    #6 qbee42, Feb 16, 2008
  7. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    you mean the rear door?:D taken off and not the small wiper:p
     
    #7 Flying White Dutchman, Feb 16, 2008
    Robert D Brown likes this.
  8. donee

    donee New Member

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    If I took mine off, it would reduce visibity. When it snows here, the window can be covered in a few minutes. In traffic, there is not enough speed to shed the powder snow, and that lake effect snow is heavy and would never slide off till the sun comes out.
     
    #8 donee, Feb 16, 2008
  9. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    There isn't too much snow where I am at so I haven't had that problem.
    With the wiper off, it is much easier to see out the back. I guess mine just came with a larger than average wiper.
     
    #9 bestmapman, Feb 16, 2008
  10. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    When you have the correct louvers designed for your car, the angle is such that seeing out the back is no problem. In fact, I'd get no glare on the glass or reflection from the cargo cover.
     
    #10 Godiva, Feb 16, 2008
  11. fmi

    fmi Junior Member

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    Let us know when you find one. I would love to have one too. Phoenix summers are brutal.
     
    #11 fmi, Feb 16, 2008
  12. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    As Godiva said, properly fitted, the louvers have little more effect on visibility than the printed defroster conductors. I think most people who are objecting just don't like the retro look going back to the 70s. I say if it is OK for Mustangs, it is fine for a Prius.

    I most likely will remove the wiper. Many louver designs rise high enough to let the wiper work under them, but I think I would rather have a lower profile louver, and the louver would pretty much make the need for a wiper unnecessary.
     
    #12 NoMoShocks, Feb 16, 2008
  13. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    That's true. I never used the rear wiper on my NIssan. When I washed the car, I opened the louver up (it had a hinge at the top) and cleaned the windows. After the car was dry I screwed it back down into place and that was that.

    It may be retro 70s but as was said, if Mustangs can do it *I* should be able to do it if I want. Problem? No item exists for me to buy. I guess rear louvers for Prii is just too small of a niche market.
     
    #13 Godiva, Feb 16, 2008
  14. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    Hey NoMoShocks I've been looking at that pic all day and I can now say that although they look kind of weird on the Prius they also look very cool. It gives the Prius a retro look. I like them.
     
    #14 TheForce, Feb 16, 2008
  15. timcarlos

    timcarlos Junior Member

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    Not a comment on louvers, rather on the visibility out the back of the GenII Prius; I've read several posts about it and can't say that I understand the visibility issue. When I look into the rear view mirror, the entire mirror is filled with the rear window view. I can immediately recognize that there is a vehicle behind me and, as I don't need to read a license plate that might be on their front bumper, the view serves the purpose.

    As for any lateral blind spots in that mirror, that is what the two side mirrors are for, to take up the slack of the middle rear view mirror. With the side mirrors adjusted properly, the inside of the side mirrors should start providing a side view from the point where the middle mirror leaves off. In other words, if someone were standing behind your vehicle and positioned at the left or right edge of the middle mirror's view, the side mirrors should begin to pick up that person's image at the inside edge of the side mirror. As such, the side mirror picks up the view from the edge of the middle mirror's view and into the lane beside you, virtually eliminating the need to crane your head over your shoulder before changing lanes.

    Although this method isn't how I personally adjust my side mirrors, it is a good example of what I've tried to explain here. Rear View Mirrors Adjustment - Blind Spot Fix - Free Mechanic Advice - Car Repair - Popular Mechanics. Try it, it is much safer than having all three mirrors aimed at the same focal point or having the side mirrors pointing down the sides of the vehicle.

    On another point, because of the height of the rear window, some might say that they cannot see if there is a child on a tricycle behind them but I can't say that I've ever encountered a hatchback that permits that kind of visibility. On sedans the size of that body style has gotten smaller but the height profile of trunks has risen to be able to provide more vertical trunk space. As such, one cannot see a tricycle behind those cars either.
     
    #15 timcarlos, Feb 17, 2008
  16. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It's the same with vans and pickup trucks; you can't see down behind you. My Honda CRX was the same. It had the same Kammback body, without the lower plastic window. Later CRXs added the lower window. With the Prius and its backup camera, you have that spot covered too.

    Tom
     
    #16 qbee42, Feb 17, 2008
  17. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    I have figured out the contact information for the factory that makes the louvers, so I am going to start a poll to see who all would buy these. I figure I could have some bargaining power with the factory if I has say 10 people interrested, so if you want one becuase you like the retro look or you live in Arizona, please respond to the poll. I will be asking would you buy one for $150 and would you buy one for $250, but not sure I would pass the full details along to the manufacturer, as I want mine for about $150.
     
    #17 NoMoShocks, Feb 18, 2008
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  18. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    What factory is it. If they do plastic work some of us may want to have some other stuff made.
     
    #18 bestmapman, Feb 18, 2008
  19. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    It is Willpak Industries in Niagra Falls, NY. They also do vacume forming. They make a lot of louvers our of ABS plastic too, but I am not interrested in those type for may car.

    Some of their other products are hood scoops and the like.

    www.willpak.com
     
    #19 NoMoShocks, Feb 18, 2008
  20. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    Why don't you post your doctored Prius with louvers picture on the poll so people can see what it might look likt?
     
    #20 Godiva, Feb 18, 2008
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