Hawk36

What is the opinion on a Lexan Rear Hatch?
The one from DEUTSCH NINE looks pretty good. it's non-yellowing, which is what I understand is the biggest issue with lexan.

ritzblitz

Ive heard for the street they are a little much, But I'd give one a shot if one crossed my path.

Reimu

Scratches everywhere

don't worry about it unless you're going trackcar

bmf944

i used one on a 90 fc rx-7 i had. it was awesome and was sooooo much lighter. but i dont know if yur doing this for track or what. if thats the case its a no brainer.

PorscheDoc

Percy's speedglass makes a rear hatch that has a coating on it that will not scratch or haze (well all their glass has the coating). I have taken steel wool to one without a scratch.

Skip Wolfe

Doc - did you get them directly from Percy's or through a dealer? Any idea on cost? What about their windshields - any experience with them and their durability?

smlporsche

Apex Performance has them for sale for $3-400.
I had one installed in my race car and it shaved off about 20#.
They also sell a plexiglass cleaner/wax that's used in the aerospace industry and it's working out good so far.

PorscheDoc

Well i use to get them through a dealer (arrowspeed warehouse) because a buddy worked there and it was just as easy to go that route. Then arrow went out of business, and I was able to persuade percy's to sell a few direct, which they really fought me on.....i just kept calling, lol, finally they gave in. Summit racing also sells them IIRC. We have used their windshields mostly, and they have been great. I can't remember what they run, but IIRC they are a little more expensive than your basic lexan.

M758

I would not bother for a street car. Too much hassle.

For a track car it can be a help, but it still creates some hassle. 20lbs makes a difference on the track, but there are much easier ways to get 20lbs out for most. Once you have done all the easy stuff then these hatches start looking alot better.

Cole

I ran a "Speedglass" windshield on a Jeep TJ for about 6-7 years. It was awesome. Loved it on the street even more than on the trail. SUPER slick coating makes water just sheet right off. No scratches, chips to deal with.

One year we drove 8 hours in a snow storm after wheeling. Jeep was covered in mud and muck and the wipers never left a mark on the coated lexan.

Even for a street car I think all the light weight stuff you can do it beneficial. The less weight the car has the more fun it is to drive, the less strain there is on the drive train and the better fuel economy will eventually off set costs.

Not to mention that this shaves weight from a high point on the car which will add to handling. I would imagine that this, a hood and sunroof would even be noticeable on the street.

Potomac-Greg

Curious. What is the "hassle" aspect? The install? Shaving 20 lbs is good, especially when it's above the beltline of the car. It's not my first priority, but my long term goal is to have the best possible dual-purpose car, and if something saves weight without impairing day-to-day driving (occasional, not every day), then it fits my plan.

If I did it, I would pick up a salvage rear frame and just swap the hatch.

M758

haze and scratches. Plus the need to be carefull when cleanning. Glass is pretty easy to clean. Remember I also live in dust land. So I can easly get a layer of sand on the car from the wind. Wipe that clean the wrong way it will scratch.

Cole

What haze and scratches?


I took this picture just before selling my TJ. It was on 37" tires, wheeled hard and often. The coated lexan windshield was in the Jeep 6-7 years. Jeep saw more dirt and dust than these Porsches ever will.

This is what it looked like for the sale. (165k on the Jeep)




Just an old photo to give you an idea how hard the Jeep was wheeled.

jg951

Cole, did you ever had any issues with water leaks.

Cole

No.

Ran the Jeep through many Colorado winters in snow and ice on eh the windshield. It sealed in there with a normal windshield seal.