I wasn't going to write about this but figured someone might benefit. I've been working on the vent windows. All the rubber is dry rotted and needs replacement. Also, the drivers side latch shaft is worn out to the point it needs replacement. I did find a good vent window and it's on the way. In the meantime, I've been disassembling the vent windows. I've bought vent window repair kit and rivet kit.
Here's what I'm starting with. I've laid out the new parts before I took it apart so that I have something to reference.
The thick chrome piece is what most of the vent window frame is riveted too so care must be taken when removing the rivets.
There's two door mounting brackets that must be taken off and reused.
Most of the rivets were loose and when I tried to drill them out. all they did was spin. I didn't want to wedge a screwdriver between the chrome piece and the window runner (new piece) so I tried using a carbide tip dremel bit.
This worked but took a long time. I ended up using the wedge screwdriver method but also used a center punch to punch out the rivets once I had enough material drilled off. The center punch worked great and I had the second vent window disassembled in no time.
Once this was done I sand blasted all the parts and primed them. I was thinking to paint but will instead get them powdercoated black.
Here's the cleaned parts laid out as each piece needs to be in the right position. If you're not careful, it would be easy to rivet a piece in the wrong position.
My first attempt at riveting the brackets on was not that great. Holding the vent track and the bracket and the rivet tool and to hammer this all so that everything is lined up and straight is a bear. Plus the little tool that came with the rivets is junk. Here's what they looked at after a couple attempts.
And these are the easier rivets to get at. What you need is a cupped die and the rivet tool with the center pin to keep things lined up. Also, if you don't keep things straight, the vent track bends easy and widens if you don't keep watch.
This wasn't going to work so I called it a night. Next day I was searching aircraft builders sites to see if I could find the right dies for these rivets and no luck. I tried using a couple of rivet bucking bars I have but these are for 3/8" rivets for aircraft and were way too big.
After a long search, I found a tool that might work off of a Corvette website. Here it is...
https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvett ... lsrc=aw.ds
I had to do some modification to one of the dies so it fit in the vent track. I used a grinder with flappy wheel and took a bit off each side. The die is oversized to begin with and even with it cut down, the rivet fit perfectly and had no overhang.
I used a vise to hold the tool which helped with making sure everything is aligned.
Once it's all aligned, it's a simple matter of tightening a bolt. However, I had to practice a bit as the first rivet I used too much torque and the rivet split but is super tight. The second one came out perfect.
On the next bracket, both rivets are just right. The bracket are nice and tight. This should help with the vent window being secure and should not move when installed in the door.
I've stopped here as I'm gathering up all the parts that will be powdercoated black.
Next up is mocking up wiring for power mirrors and tailgate motor. I'll also be headed to the shop to help with final paint (sanding) and how we will apply the Raptor Liner on the rockers and fender flares.