To zip or not to zip - glass on convertibles

[hofilbert]

I recently heard you are supposed to unzip the back window glass on a convertible before putting the top down. I hadn't heard that before (except on Mustangs), and the former owner of my car didn't unzip his glass when he put his top down and he had it for 24 years. He didn't have any issues and I haven't had any either. Anyone have any guidelines for unzipping or leaving alone? Note, the CAUTION tag on the top does not refer to unzip or leave zipped.

 

[DetMatt1]

I've never unzipped.

 

[challenger6pak]

I have never unzipped glass. Plastic will bend in the center and eventually crack and split down the center. It needs unzipped.

 

[Litchkar]

I never unzip mine either, only caution is be sure that nothing is in the trunk under the spot it lays in or you might have issues.

 

[airgrabber70]

Never!

 

[hofilbert]

You may have helped a fellow mopar convertible owner with your responses.
I was at a show this weekend and 71 Chally Convert comes to the show. He and I talked a bit, and he commented how difficult it was to put his top down and the fit. I first thought he needs to see an upholsterer/top specialist because it sounded like an adjustment. Then, I asked if he unzips or zips his window glass. "Oh, I always unzip the glass" he said. I said I never do and I never have an issue. I mentioned this forum's responses and he was surprised. So, he was going to try it when he made it home after the show! He was excited to try it.

 

[340challconvert]

Original style glass windows on the e body convertibles were designed to fold down into the well.
Plastic windows will also fold in, but as stated, as they age or it gets very cold, they do crack and or turn yellow. I have had both styles.
If the convertible top is set up/installed correctly, you should have no problems leaving it unzipped. Always better to leave it zipped up like it was designed.
Just my opinion.
Just remember to never store anything too large under the well cover. Anything too large could crack the glass when the top goes down.

 

[Avalanche]

I have done both, and its better to keep it zipped. If its a cold day, trying to re zip the glass is difficult

 

[RJHJR]

I bought this blue one in '82 and have never unzipped. I've others and have never unzipped them either.

 

[willstoy]

Very helpful all. I've since discovered a few other "issues" that are impacting things that the guy I had to the restoration did. First, is that he put "Cuda" rear panels in the back. The back seat doesn't sit in correctly, which is why the top won't go down without either unzipping the window, or moving the rear seat forward first.... Oih. This would also be why he thought there was something wrong with my rear regulators, as they didn't stick out far enough..... Grrr

 

[challenger6pak]

Very helpful all. I've since discovered a few other "issues" that are impacting things that the guy I had to the restoration did. First, is that he put "Cuda" rear panels in the back. The back seat doesn't sit in correctly, which is why the top won't go down without either unzipping the window, or moving the rear seat forward first.... Oih. This would also be why he thought there was something wrong with my rear regulators, as they didn't stick out far enough..... Grrr

Now you have to find rear panels. Let the fun begin.

 

[Avalanche]

At least you can sell the rear cuda panels and buy good original challenger ones.
Wait until you see what those panels are.worth