Truck side window sun shade project

[ArtC2]

I have a retractable Dash Designs Original Car Sun Shade on my Dodge Ram 2500 windshield and have been really impressed with how well it keeps the interior temperature down on a sunny day. Ever since reading Monica Westcott’s side window shade recommendation in Overland Journal I have been planning on doing something similar for the side windows but got hung up on the details of how to attach it to the window frame and how to sew up the cut ends.

I was at my local O’Reilly’s auto parts store last week and found an Auto Expressions Blockade Reflective Sunshade for $4.95 that looked like it might do the trick.

I took two home and made a template out of cardboard and then cut the shade keeping the sewn banded edge on the bottom with the fold lines oriented vertically. Once I had it cut, I happily found that the reflective side and interior foam were laminated together and no further banding was needed. I then put it in place against the window and realized that I could easily tuck it in between the glass and interior rubber window frame. The shade is stiff enough to stay in place but be easily removed.

Viola, I was done, no Velcro, snaps or banding needed. The entire project took $10 a total of 30 minutes to do all 4 windows (one shade per side) on my quad cab.

 

[The BN Guy]

Very nice!!

 

[Revco]

Excellent. I'm stopping by the auto parts store tomorrow!

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Oh man, this is sweet. Living in Florida, our plastic door panels right near the windows are bleached white!

I'm doing this right away!

 

[Zam15]

This deserves a sticky! I am going to try it this weekend! Also good for security when parked, no one can see in your car! :wings:

 

[Revco]

There were some cheap sun shades at Wal Mart when I was there a few days ago. I think they were $3.95. I grabbed two to try this out, then I thought I'd better come back to see what brand you used so I don't have to sew the edges, so I put the shades back. Now I'm getting ready to make a run into town to pick up some parts from O'Reilly's so I'm going to pick up a couple of these shades and do this for my Suburban's door glass. If it works out good I'll probably get around to doing the rear quarter glass and barn door glass as well.

 

[shackney]

We have had these in our rig and they are great for keeping curious folks from peeking in. We used them the whole time we were in South America (2.5 years) and never had ny break-ins. Plus, they keep the cab so much cooler!