Window Tint or "Blank-out" Panels

[Hltoppr]

I was perusing Chris Scott's Sahara Overland last night, looking up information on the next mods to the Troopy, and started thinking about adding window tint, or "blanking-out" the rear windows, as Chris mentions.

More specifically, Chris mentions:

"All-round vision is not vital on the piste and rear view mirrors are adequate for keeping other vehicles in sight so blanked -out windows keep your vehicle and its contents much cooler."

I've always had relatively dark tinted windows, and they have worked well...

Has anyone tried the blanked out approach? Thoughts? Did they work well for you?

Of course, I could always go for some hippie-chic curtains....

-H-

 

[MoGas]

I have experimented with this and the only windows I could live without are the cargo/3rd row side windows. Take some cardboard and cover the windows, drive both day and night and see how it feels before you do anything more permanent.

 

[Mobryan]

It's not for me. I've been in too many situations where I needed all the glass I could get, and was wishing for more. In a Travelall, that's saying something

I personally avoid the dark tints, too many times I've seen the mirror in the mirror effect @ night from light bouncing off the inside of the windows.
We've got curtains for the back made from heavy beach towels, very multipurpose.


Matt

 

[FourByLand]

I haven't deleted any windows but use a dark tint and that was sufficient for privacy, theft, and keeping the interior cool... plus I can still see out of them well enough.

 

[Sloan]

My first 4x was a 1989 Nissan with a cap on the back that had no side windows. It was finer what you need to get used to doing is memorizing the traffic around you because you do have two pretty big blind spots. I do prefer having more windows FWIW.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I decided to go with curtains.

I wasn't sure if I wanted a more permanent tint situation. The side of the SWR you see there has four fabric panels. If I wanted, I could slide them open and tie them back. I even have two panels at the rear. I keep the one behind my drivers seat pulled out over my cooler. It helps the ice blocks last longer by keeping the sun off while I'm driving.

I really like having the curtains.....because at night before I go to sleep.....I can slide the curtain over and view the stars through factory stock glass! (Or even pull open my slider for a bit of fresh country air).

I guess I'm just an old hippie at heart......left over from my 1972 VW Van days.:ylsmoke:

....and hey! ....just drive in the slow lane and no worries mate!

 

[jsmoriss]

Nice lights! What make are they?

Thanks,
js.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

It's just a generic brand that I found at Rite Aid.....of all places. Check Wal~Mart if you have one, or your local parts store like we have Kragen/Checker....etc. It came as a pair.....with a 12 volt plug. Just $4.99 .....but it was on a close out for $1.25 ...........! weeeeeeeeee!

I plug it in to the 12Volt plug that I installed in my passenger side elbow pocket. Accessible with back seat up or down.

 

[02TahoeMD]

I added tint to the factory tint on my Tahoe. I put 30% up front and then added 20% to the rear windows, and left the hatch window untouched. That way I can still see out the back as needed. Seeing into the truck from the 2nd row back is really hard from the outside, but seeing out is still manageable. And the A/C is really efficient during hot days. Usually do not have to crank it up to keep it comfortable. :sunny:

A side benefit of having tint film on the windows is in a collision most of the glass is held by the film and doesn't blow all over the place.

 

[Nitromethane43]

It really depends on what you prefer and can get use to, going with the dark tint is easier to live with since you can still see out when necessary. With blacked out it would be similar to driving that has a camper with solid panels, box truck, or rv.

On my tahoe the windows were tinted with 5% and that was used most of the time, when more privacy was needed I has a set of black mat board panels cut to size so they fit inside the plastic trim surrounding the windows so they would stay up without any additional help. Once you get use to driving without looking back it it soon becomes like driving as you never had any windows back there.

Right now I just have 5% all around on my yukon, it's really helpful in keeping the heat out here in vegas. If you do a lot of trail driving at night I would leave the windshield alone or go with a lighter tint, even with 6 HIDs it can be difficult take trails at speed. With properly adjusted mirrors you should be fine with dark or black out windows.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I don't plan on tinting my truck, because I have 5% on my cars and find it's very difficult to see out the sides at night. Driving on a freeway is fine as other cars have their lights on, etc. But making a right hand turn onto an unlit side street, such that you have to look out the side window instead of the windshield... it's a leap of faith because you can't really see anything until you make the turn. I can't imagine driving at night on a trail like that.

If one is concerned about heat on the interior, I'd think the mirrored tint would be the best. That's what the rally cars use in hot climates.

 

[Hltoppr]

I'd likely go with a medium tint...like the max on front windows, all the way around...maybe 5% on the rear side windows. I plan on adding a rear view camera, so rear vision won't hopefully be too much of an issue....

Hmm....

-H-

 

[02TahoeMD]

My work truck has 5% on it, and it is pretty darn difficult to naviagate in at night. Sure is cool in the sulight though.

But, my difficulties in seeing at night is why I only went with mid- level tint on my Tahoe. It is dark enough that seeing in is difficult, but seeing out is easily manageable.

 

[Robthebrit]

The tint on factory windshields is as dark as you can legally go and its illegal to use stick on tint. The windshield has to be labeled AS1 to be legal, windshields that have a dark sun band across the top also have little arrow just below the band with AS1 next to it. This means the windshield is AS1 compliant below that point.

In California you can get you car impounded and shops caught doing it will be fined. Cops in Los Angeles actively look for it.

Rob

 

[Hltoppr]

A good point on tint is multi jurisdictional travel....now that Tijuana is saying no tint allowed...

Plus...I found some cool zebra stripe fabric....it may be curtains for me....:violent-smiley-031:

-H-