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Thread: Window UV Sunshade Concepts

  1. #1

    Window UV Sunshade Concepts

    I've been wanting to do this mod for a long time. Back when I used to drive the 4runner I used to camp inside and always hating having to crack open the window and possibly get stuck with darn bugs chomping at me while I snored my life away.

    Over the years I found a few individuals do some really creative ways to screen their windows but none that I really liked. The cheapest and quickest one was to just get one of the screen door mesh and make a quick cut out and place it on the outside of the door with magnets. It's hella ugly but definitely works well. Just not my cup of tea.

    I wanted to either buy or make something that affixed inside the door frame so I can keep it installed and be able to drive freely without worrying about the mesh coming off. Not only that I also wanted to be able to keep the mesh installed while driving with the windows down.

    With that said I did some creative thinking and came up with little mod. It's still in the rough stages but it's a working progress. Need to figure out a way to secure the bottom part of the mesh. Was thinking I can slide it between the door frame and leather door molding but that wouldn't make it really "bolt on" friendly by being able to install/uninstall without really taking the door apart all of the time.

    Please don't flame me on the wrinkling of the mesh screen. I kinda screwed up sewing the velcro at the right angle corner. Too much fabric flex so now I got this ugly wavy crap going on. Gotta take it apart and redo it but too lazy to take it apart for now.

    Thoughts guys? Need your feedback. Got plenty of mesh so I can definitely redo this a few times over while I perfect the best method.

    IMG_3267.jpgIMG_3268.jpg
    Lance
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  2. #2
    I made an attempt with magnet strips but I was not thrilled with the result.

    What is the material you used? I like the fine mesh.
    2005 Lexus LX470 - Stock for now...

    1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 + a bunch of goodies. Lifted, Locked, Illuminated and Armored. Winner,"Best Offroad Truck" - 2010 Pismo Jamboree. It's been upside down and still drives me to work.

  3. #3
    That's legit man! I like the solution a lot. Simple and effective.

    For the bottom it might not be as thick as the top but you could put the velcro on the flap that rides the window. It would hold while you were sitting still and since the other sides are pretty thick it would probably do fine while driving.
    98 3rz 4x4 5spd- Monstalined, 99 Talls, 4.30 E-locker, Extra Lights
    In Progress:
    Tundra/Rear Disc Brakes w/parking brake
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    Sliders
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  4. #4
    I go with the magnets and use my sunroof. I've got 6 or 8 round magnets that were sold with a hook for hanging towels or kitchen stuff. I removed the hooks and stick the stack of magnets in my cargo storage pocket. I carry a rectangle of screen material and lay it over the open sunroof.

    From the ground standing you can't even tell it's there. I like using the sunroof because the hot air rises and has kept me comfy.

    SLOmatt has some nifty screens he made with thin wood. They are about 6 inches tall and you roll up the window 'into' them. There is screen sandwiched between the wood and large round holes drilled into the wood.
    Last edited by 4x4mike; 10-01-2014 at 06:39 AM.

  5. #5
    Very interesting!

    AS we do a lot of camping in the 80 series, we have been tackling this same issue, so far have just opted to go the magnet route.
    -Chris
    2004 DoubleCab Tacoma PreRunner: 3.4 V6-Auto, DD/Tow Rig
    1997 Lexus LX450: 4.5 I6-Auto, DD
    1984 4Runner: 22R-5 speed, 14 inch bob, 5.29's, lincoln locked rear, lockright front, Armored and Caged by Mossyrocks Fabrication, total disregard for body damage.
    1997 4Runner: GONE
    1996 FZJ80 Land Cruiser: GONE

  6. #6
    Yeah the magnets route seems to be the most popular from my google searching on various forums across the globe.

    I really don't like the whole "velcro" + "double sided tape" cuz tape really gets nasty when it comes time to cleaning up. But in this case I felt this was the best, cheapest and fastest option to give me some ideas on different options on what I should do. I was thinking of building an aluminum frame either on the inside of the window door frame but that's a bit crazy so the next best option was this for now.

    As for velcro on the arm rest area... not sure if I want to apply the tape there.. will need to think of something. Figure this is a good cheap and ugly start. Hopefully I can clean up the wrinkle and at least make it look less ugly.

    Sean, the material I used was from Home Depot. I just bought a roll of the screen door repair kit (just the fabric). There's several different brands and types so just pick one that works. I picked one that was UV protection but I think this was is a bit overkill. It really blocks a lot out so much so that it might also become a big issue driving. So far so good but we'll see.
    Lance
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    2000 Toyota Landcruiser
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  7. #7
    Rivnuts in the door frame with some thumb screws would be an option. Not sure how keen you are on drilling holes in your door though
    2005 Lexus LX470 - Stock for now...

    1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 + a bunch of goodies. Lifted, Locked, Illuminated and Armored. Winner,"Best Offroad Truck" - 2010 Pismo Jamboree. It's been upside down and still drives me to work.

  8. #8
    Sean I considered that but considering this is for my Land Cruiser I really didn't want to butcher it like I did with the 4runner. Had it been the 4runner I would have gone that route but with the LC I figure I'd be a bit more gentle. Unless I really think outside of the box I think I'm gonna have to stick to the velcro option for now until I find something else.
    Lance
    TLCA Member

    2003 4Runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition
    2000 Toyota Landcruiser
    19xx M416 Trailer

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  9. #9
    If the Velcro works on the 3 edges keep it. For the window edge maybe buy some document covers with the removable spine. Like these:


    When you want the screens on leave a few inches of the window up. Put Velcro on the spines and push those onto the the top of the protruding window glass.

  10. #10
    hmmm interesting idea. never thought about this one. might have to snag something from the office and give this one a try!

    thx
    Lance
    TLCA Member

    2003 4Runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition
    2000 Toyota Landcruiser
    19xx M416 Trailer

    Chaos Edition Profile
    Operation Rebuilding Chaos Edition
    01001001001001110110110100100000011000010010000001 11011101100101011000100111011101101000011001010110 010101101100011001010111001000100001

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