Electric defroster strips?

[swisherred]

Anyone ever installed rear window electric defroster strips like new cars have? Is it safe on the old tempered glass? I've removed my rear glass to fix the leaks and it occurred to me it would be a good time to put it in if I wanted to.

Would it affect tinting the glass later? I want to tint my windows darker later on.

 

[CBODY67]

Not aware of an aftermarket kit to put the heating elements on the glass, as the OEM units are. I do know there's a GM repair kit to fix "opens" in the existing strips, but it seemed that every vial of liquid we got was dried-up when we got it.

No problem with tinting on the OEM strips.

The OEM Chrysler that came with the heated rear window also had the 100Amp alternator as a part of the deal. Think "1978 Cordoba 400" as a parts reference. With that alternator, it mounted "high" like the '66 alternators did, which I saw as a benefit in itself. Air could get to the fuel line and fuel filter! So, appropriate bracketry would be needed, I suspect.

CBODY67

 

[swisherred]

something like this...

https://www.frostfighter.com/clear-view-defrosters-about.htm

 

[traintech55]

I am going to ask what kind of vehicle you plan to install this on. If you are going to install this on your old Chrysler, then I would say don't do it and here is why. The heated rear window is on a timer circuit to keep the glass from overheating. You have know way of knowing if the timer is bad until the glass shatters. I think you might have a hard time finding a rear glass for your car.
Best option I can think of is to find the factory DEFOGGER that your car came with, instead of the DEFROSTER. The defoggers work great once you get some heat up in the car.

 

[Big_John]

Best option I can think of is to find the factory DEFOGGER that your car came with

^This^

 

[cbarge]

Stick to the factory blower motor defogger.
As others mentioned about the rear glass.
I like to add that the aftermarket electric defogger may draw too much amperage your car can handle.

 

[swisherred]

I'm not worried about amperage. I'm fine with modifying the electrical. I'm already altering it because of chryslers brilliant single power wire idea. I really don't like the factory defogger because it eliminates one speaker in the rear....finding the rear seat heater version would be fine but expensive.

 

[bigmoparjeff]

Are you planning for the Newport to be a daily driver, used in all types of weather?

 

[swisherred]

Are you planning for the Newport to be a daily driver, used in all types of weather?

Probably not...but we get a lot of fog in the mornings...I use mine in my other car almost every day.

 

[Zymurgy]

I know back in the 80s, we used to install them on cars which didn't have them, so I know they work and were available. I can't remember the brand we used.

It made me remember a story. I guy insisted we install a set on the lower half of his front windshield. We stated we weren't allowed but a guy did it for him anyway after hours.

He didn't have A/C and he said the defroster was crap. He stopped back in later and said it worked great, and it worked must faster than the rear defroster because there were half as many wires.

 

[Ripinator]

Probably not...but we get a lot of fog in the mornings...I use mine in my other car almost every day.

I would put this potential modification way down at the very end of the list of things to do with your car. . .

 

[swisherred]

I would put this potential modification way down at the very end of the list of things to do with your car. . .

It just seemed easier with the glass out.

 

[Big_John]

I know back in the 80s, we used to install them on cars which didn't have them, so I know they work and were available. I can't remember the brand we used.

It made me remember a story. I guy insisted we install a set on the lower half of his front windshield. We stated we weren't allowed but a guy did it for him anyway after hours.

He didn't have A/C and he said the defroster was crap. He stopped back in later and said it worked great, and it worked must faster than the rear defroster because there were half as many wires.

Getting a little off topic, but Ford did that in the 80's.

Autotrader - page unavailable

 

[Big_John]

I'm not worried about amperage. I'm fine with modifying the electrical. I'm already altering it because of chryslers brilliant single power wire idea. I really don't like the factory defogger because it eliminates one speaker in the rear....finding the rear seat heater version would be fine but expensive.

Way back when, my Dad had an accessory fan/defogger that mounted in the rear panel. IIRC, he made a hole for it in the center.

I don't think that's the answer, it was pretty fugly, but it did work. But! It gets me thinking... Which is usually dangerous, but whatever... If you were to obtain the defroster vent, built a small box under it with a fan drawing air from the trunk, it would do the job. Take it one step further with a small heater core, perhaps something electric for heated air and you're doing what you need.

 

[Big_John]

Another option, and this was something that was a common accessory when these cars were new (at least around here for winter) is an accessory fan mounted on the rear deck. Something "vintage" could be kinda cool if done right.

 

[swisherred]

There is this too....attached to the stock defogger vent?

Summit Racing® Automotive Heaters SUM-991102-1

 

[Zymurgy]

Getting a little off topic, but Ford did that in the 80's.

Autotrader - page unavailable

Since we went off subject, a front window wired defroster was in 2004, and still is an option on Sprinter Vans. It was a $1000 option in 04 now it is $300. You can see the wires but everyone said you get used to it.

 

[stubs300]

I remember those aftermarket type foggers back in the mid-late 70's, I always thought they looked tacky and obstructed vision. How time and technology has changed with how stealthy they look. If your going to do this to a old car, I say don't do it. A lot of that problem was from the design of the car that created that problem. Good Luck

 

[Big_John]

There is this too....attached to the stock defogger vent?

Summit Racing® Automotive Heaters SUM-991102-1

I think that could work nicely. Perhaps an electric version similar to this: Rampage Back Seat Heater-Fans 3501

 

[CBODY67]

Ford did their "coated glass" electric defrosters, front and rear, on the '74-era T-birds and Marks. It was about $700.00 for the pair, evidenced by a gold tint to the tinted glass. No wires, just the coating.

As for an additional rear window defogger, find one from a '70-'78 Camaro. A one piece blower that fits into the MIDDLE of the rear deck. Just need a fan switch on the instrument panel. As it's OEM, it'll look "factory" where ever it is put. I ordered one on my '77 Camaro and it works well. Helped by heater air when it gets warm A self-contained unit, intake is on the top, output on the other side of the bezel. "Paint to match"..

The current electric rear window defrosters don't get that hot. Just enough to warm things for evaporation into the ambient air.

You might try some glass treatment to make the moisture on the rear glass bead up and run off. Rather than just "stay there".

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67