Vent Window Latch

[Harry Dawg]

Anyone got any ideas on how I can reattach the vent window latch to the window? It looks like I am missing the post that the latch mounts to, so I am thinking I will have to fabricate something. It looks like there is a key way in the latch, so I am thinking I will make something the same shape and use 2 part epoxy to secure it to the window. Has anyone run into this before?

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[tgreese]

I'd recommend a junkyard solution. Buy a replacement vent window assembly and bolt it in to the door.

Vent window, frame and division bar can be replaced as a unit.

ventwindow82.png

[Harry Dawg]

That does seem to be the easiest way to go, but I am a miser so I think I will attempt some sort of DIY solution first.
Looks like I can get the vent window assembly for both sides on eBay for around $150-$200 after shipping.

[tgreese]

How far is Jake's from you? You could also try to find a wreck nearby with car-part.com

If you could take the glass out, you could drill out the remains of the post, make and weld in a new stud to hold the handle. Looking at the parts book, it appears that Jeep only sold the frame and glass complete; apparently there was no practical way to separate the glass from the frame. 23.110 and 23.114. You could try it - you'll be no worse off than now. Maybe make some kind of a tool that will open the channel a little to get the glass out.

[Harry Dawg]

Jake's? I am not familiar with this yard.
I checked car-part.com but the search was unfruitful. This looks like a great resource though, so I will stick this one in my file for later use.

I'm with you on giving some fab work a shot though. Worse case scenario I am right back where I started.
Basically thinking I will weld a stud onto the remains of the post to determine if the whole post rotates, or if the rotation occurs within the latch.
Basically just something to turn on with a pair of vice grips.
From here I can make a decision on how to go about making the repair.
I am hoping that whole post and latch assembly rotates inside of the glass to make the repair easier.

[tgreese]

Pretty sure the post is stationary. There should be a roll pin that goes through the handle to lock it to the post. I guess you lost the post?

Jake's: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=184252

[Harry Dawg]

You are correct.
After further inspection, the rotation does occur within the vent latch handle, and the post is stationary.
Not sure what happened to the post. These doors have been around for a minute and aren't the original ones. I can't remember if I took the latches off my doors, or if the PO of the new doors gave them to me.

At any rate, I believe the next course of action is to fabricate some sort of post and epoxy it to the window.
On the driver side latch I do still have some of the original post, so I was able to do a little research on how it operated from the factory.
It appears that the notched keyway limits the range of movement and keeps the latch secured to the post.
Will be interesting to try and replicate such a precisely machined little system!

[letank]

I tried the jb weld patch... to keep the window closed, it does not last, as per your pict, too much rust.

Removal of the glass is the best way, if we can figure out how to, without breaking it.

And yes the missing post has some elaborate geometry

there is a difference in year models, late on left and probably before 79 on right, this is the one on my 74, which I should have somewhere, because I swap doors many years ago, but kept the window, when I am back in town I'll post a pict.