How to video

How-To Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Create the outline of the window

The beauty of this window is that it’s a perfect fit for the window frame of the van. Mercedes makes the process pretty easy to determine where exactly you want to make your cut.

If you’re using a jigsaw to cut the window, (which we highly recommend) you are going to need to cut the window from the outside. In order to determine where to make your cut, you need to use a hammer and a screwdriver (or something similar) to make the outline. I saw other videos on youtube where folks, drilled several holes into the van along the window frame so you can choose which approach you want to take.

Step 2: Trace the outline of the window imprint and apply masking/painters tape

Once you created your outline with the small dents in the door, use a dry erase marker and trace the outline of the window from the outside.

We used masking/painters tape to tape around the window before we made our cut. This ensured we will not scratch the paint from the jigsaw when cutting through the door. For extra precaution, tape the jigsaw as well to provide an additional layer of protection.

Step 3: Drill a hole into the door

Before you make your cut you need to drill a hole into the door of your van with a hole large enough to fit a jigsaw blade through it. You can see in the picture above, I drilled the hole in the bottom of the trace so I can insert the jigsaw blade and start cutting!

Step 4: Cut out the traced outline of the window in the door

Once your hole is drilled it’s time to make your cut! We use the Bosch Thin Metal Jigsaw Blades to make our cut, which worked great!

Make sure to have a protective barrier on the inside of the van to catch the metal shavings and protect your vehicle from rust!

When you’re cut is almost finished, use masking tape to tape the cutout to the door to prevent it from falling and scratching the door.

Step 5: File down the raw metal and smooth out the edges

After you’ve made your cut, the edges will be sharp and jagged, take a metal filer or a grinding bit to smooth out the edges.

Step 6: Paint the raw metal

Once the metal is filed down, you want to prevent rust and protect your vehicle. To do this, paint the raw metal with oil-based paint. We used rust-oleum paint which works great!

Wait an hour or so to let the paint dry.

Step 7: Insert the window into the cutout

After the paint dries, you’re ready to insert the CRL t-vent sliding door window into the window frame. If it doesn’t line up properly fine tun the edges with your jigsaw or grinder. You can line up your window before you paint it if you want to check that it fits first, completely up to you!

Also, we used suction cups to help us carry the window and secure it in the right place, these were extremely helpful.

Surprisingly enough, you do not need butyl tape or and window weld for this project, the CRL t-vent sliding door window has a weather gasket that lines the window and is completely water tight.

Step 8: Secure the window using the backing plate

The last step of the installation of the sliding t-vent window is securing it in place by screwing in the backing plate. CRL provides the screws needed to secure the window in place, but you will need to try your best not to strip them!

A good tip when tightening the screws, have someone from the outside push against the window then tighten the screw. This technique helped me us out big time!