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S197 Power Quarter-Windows Install - Poppin’ FreshOne piece products put big time cool in an S197's rear quarter. From the January, 2012 issue of 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords By KJ Jones Photography by KJ Jones
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While the Mustang hobby can easily be broken down into several categories, being in the center of the sometimes-fierce competition between aftermarket parts manufacturers is one of the most exciting parts of our job. And, as you can imagine, we're always hearing from companies that constantly try to one-up their competitors, by having us review their newest offerings for late-model 'Stangs. With our economy in a better shape than it was a few years ago, manufacturers once again are starting to produce seriously cool hardware for Ponies of all ages, especially the '11-'12 5.0 Mustang GT. We acknowledge our coverage of this hot, new 'Stang has been intense. However, we assure you we certainly haven't lost sight of the cars before it. Not in the least. So, with that idea in mind, this exclusive highlights a wicked, new concept from One Piece Products of Whittier, California, that actually isn't applicable to the SN-10 Mustangs; nor can it be installed on Fox-body, SN-95, or New Edge Mustangs. Ben Tapia, owner and chief designer at One Piece Products, developed a set of replacement quarter-windows for '05-'09 coupes that adds serious cool to S197s. And what in the world could possibly be cool about '05-'09 quarter-glass, you ask? Well, Ben has come up with a way to make those fixed rear windows actually open. If you think back through the late- model Mustang's history, hardtop ('79-present hatchbacks and coupes) Ponies have never been equipped with quarter-glass that can be opened, or fully removed. Ben's breakthrough concept, the One Piece Series VI Power Quarter Pop-Out Kit (PN OPP0509; $795), is a bolt-on, power-window system that, when open, dramatically changes an S197 coupe's rear-quarter styling and more importantly, makes it possible for fresh air channel to through the rear-seat area. Once the kit is installed, simply pressing one or both dash-mounted switches opens the small quarter-windows as wide as 2 inches; just enough to give a Pony's rear flanks a killer new look and let outside air enter and completely circulate throughout the Mustang's cabin area. A setup like this is exactly the type of new product we like to see--something that's truly different. Better yet, it bolts on without too much ado. Installation can be handled by One Piece Products if you're in SoCal, or ambitious do-it-yourselfers can get it done in their home garage. If you follow us on Facebook, we trust you've already seen a video clip of this exciting, new window system in action, on Gabe Garcia's clean S197. Now you can check out the following photos to see how the window magic happens. Ben's window setup definitely is the hot ticket for '05-'09 hardtop 'Stangs. Horse Sense: The '74-'78 Mustang II is considered by many automotive writers as the Mustang that should never have been built. While the little Ponies are bashed, even by Ford loyalists, for many varied reasons, we do have to thank Mustang II for their rack-and-pinion steering and front-disc brakes, which have been standard equipment in every 'Stang since that time. The question is, though, why are we even mentioning Mustang IIs now? Well, they're actually relevant for this report, as Ford's Intermediate 'Stangs were the last hatchback and coupe Mustangs to feature rear quarter-windows that opened (hatchbacks/pop-outs, coupes/crank-operated). Something to think about when you hit the trigger on the system being featured in this report!  Ben Tapia of One Piece Products...  Ben Tapia of One Piece Products gives his latest creation—a set of power quarter-windows for S197 Mustangs—a final clarity check. It doesn’t matter whether the glass is closed or open; Ben’s One Piece pop-outs bring cool to the rear-quarter area of any ’05-’09 hardtop.  Here is a last look at the...  Here is a last look at the OEM quarter-glass in Gabe Garcia’s ’07 Mustang GT. While we’re pretty sure the pop-outs will be final in Gabe’s ’Stang, or any other Pony they’re installed in, saving the factory pieces (for later use or passing along to another S197 owner in their time of need) always is a good idea.  Here is a last look at the...  Here is a last look at the OEM quarter-glass in Gabe Garcia’s ’07 Mustang GT. While we’re pretty sure the pop-outs will be final in Gabe’s ’Stang, or any other Pony they’re installed in, saving the factory pieces (for later use or passing along to another S197 owner in their time of need) always is a good idea.  Here is One Piece Products’...  Here is One Piece Products’ Series VI Power Quarter Pop-Out Kit (PN OPP0509; $795) in its entirety. The package includes everything necessary for an installation that typically takes about eight hours to complete, but is not so technical that it can’t be done by mechanically inclined enthusiasts.  As a subsidiary of Pete’s...  As a subsidiary of Pete’s Auto Glass, it’s only right that One Piece Products only uses brand-new windows in its power pop-out kits. The quarters are direct, bolt-in replacements for the factory glass, and meet all DOT and other safety standards.  As a subsidiary of Pete’s...  As a subsidiary of Pete’s Auto Glass, it’s only right that One Piece Products only uses brand-new windows in its power pop-out kits. The quarters are direct, bolt-in replacements for the factory glass, and meet all DOT and other safety standards.  Window motors, regulators,...  Window motors, regulators, and all assembly hardware also are included with the kit, as are the female-threaded spiral gears that are the key to making the windows open and close.  The entire rear seat assembly,...  The entire rear seat assembly, and rear-quarter trim panels on both sides of the Mustang must all be removed in order to execute the glass swap. The interior panels are snap-in/snap-out pieces that need to be handled with a fair amount of care (especially when removing them) to avoid breakage that could prevent their reinstallation. It’s important to note that this project requires having both doors open for an extended period of time, so disconnecting the negative battery cable before starting this project.  One Piece Products provides...  One Piece Products provides a length of piano wire that is used for dislodging the original windows from the body. Before starting the process, blue masking tape is applied in the gap between the glass and body (do not put tape on the window itself), as well as around all of the painted areas. The tape is used for protection against scratching. Once masking is complete, spraying water in the gap (water serves as a lubricant) and then pulling the wire from the widest point of the window toward the back of the car, easily dislodges the glass from its adhesive.  With the windows fully loosened,...  With the windows fully loosened, all it takes is a simple tug to remove them.  Once the glass is removed,...  Once the glass is removed, it’s important to thoroughly clean the body surface of all residual glue, dirt, and other debris. Pinch-weld primer (supplied) is applied to areas where scratches are prominent and allowed to dry for about 20 minutes.  Razor blades are used to split...  Razor blades are used to split the windows’ weatherstrips, and trim them to size. After ensuring the body surface is clean and dry, strips are installed starting halfway along the bottom and working to the left, until the radius of the window frames are fully covered.  The One Piece windows are...  The One Piece windows are now ready for installation. This photo offers a close look at the metal spiral gear that helps drive the glass away from and toward the Mustang’s body.  Attaching mounting brackets...  Attaching mounting brackets to each window motor is the only bench assembly required with the power pop-outs, and it only requires a Phillips-head screwdriver and six supplied fasteners.  After bench-assembling the...  After bench-assembling the window regulators and spiral gears, the entire window-drive assembly is affixed to the metal spiral gears on each window. A small jolt from a DC power source (cordless drill batteries work well) will activate the motor enough to center the mounting brackets and spiral gears in their closed positions.  Self-tapping screws (don’t...  Self-tapping screws (don’t worry, they’re short) are provided and used for securing the window motors. This is the last mechanical step for installing the drive setup. Each motor must be set in the neutral (parked) position before bolting them down, which ensures they’re synced to closed windows when the install is completed.  Tabs for the fulcrum section...  Tabs for the fulcrum section of each pop-out window are secured with pop rivets...  ...However, because of the...  ...However, because of the weight of the spiral-drive mechanisms and brackets, self-tappers are used to keep those assemblies bonded to the Mustang’s body.  Routing wires for the One...  Routing wires for the One Piece pop-out windows is straightforward, and zip-ties are provided for linking the window wires with the OEM loom on the driver’s side, and running them up to the ’Stang’s dash. A full wiring schematic is included and must be followed closely, so the direction on the window switches corresponds with the push/pull action of the window motors.  Cutting is involved with installing...  Cutting is involved with installing One Piece power quarter-glass. However, to ensure the dash panel—and metal reinforcement plate behind the panel—are trimmed properly, detailed templates are included with the kit.  Here is the windows’ switch...  Here is the windows’ switch panel, installed in the dash of Gabe’s Pony (the white arrows should point outward).  The idea of motorizing Mustangs’...  The idea of motorizing Mustangs’ quarter-glass isn’t something that just came to Ben overnight. The concept was developed using a full-scale quarter-panel as a live jig, from which Ben was able to determine exactly how and where interior panels need to be trimmed, and the amount of foam that must be removed from each one.  The idea of motorizing Mustangs’...  The idea of motorizing Mustangs’ quarter-glass isn’t something that just came to Ben overnight. The concept was developed using a full-scale quarter-panel as a live jig, from which Ben was able to determine exactly how and where interior panels need to be trimmed, and the amount of foam that must be removed from each one.  Approximately 2-3 inches of...  Approximately 2-3 inches of foam padding must be removed from both interior rear panels. This allows the panels to fit cleanly over the window motors and not alter the interior’s appearance in any way.  A box cutter is the tool of...  A box cutter is the tool of choice for clearing the padding away from the interior panels.  …And as you see here, look...  …And as you see here, look clean and OEM when the interior panels are reinstalled.  A small 2.5-inch by 1.75-inch...  A small 2.5-inch by 1.75-inch section of the upper trim panel also must be cut away. The cuts create clearance for the spiral-gear assembly…  The One Piece Products cover...  The One Piece Products cover plates finish the installation. Each plate is secured to the spiral gears with Velcro, and tastefully disguises the spiral gear sets.  With quarter-windows in their...  With quarter-windows in their closed position, the finished product looks factory original. Actually, the only difference between Ford’s glass and the One Piece replacement is the wider tint band at the rear corners, which hides all of the spiral-gear pieces.  Here’s the One Piece pop-out...  Here’s the One Piece pop-out quarter-glass in its open setting. The windows can be opened anywhere between 0 to 2 inches, allowing fresh airflow into (and out of) the rear section of an S197’s cabin...  ...something that has not...  ...something that has not been possible in a Mustang since 1978.
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