79 Malibu Wagon door question…

[Fatboy]

Hey guys, new to the forum. I couldn’t find anything concrete on this. So here goes the question…. Being that our back windows don’t roll down, I’ve been looking at a few cars that might have rear windows that roll down… now the question is if they fit. I saw a 78 Cadillac Seville, the rear door look to be somewhat similar. I have not gotten an actual tape measure on either door. Has anyone installed doors on their wagon or sedan with windows that roll down some? If so, what fits if anything?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ribbedroof]

If you go outside and open the door on your wagon and look at it from the inside you will see that the glass goes much farther forward than the cavity in the door. The front face of the door shell is set back to accommodate the hinges. There really isn’t any place for the glass to go down into beyond a couple of inches.

 

[Fatboy]

If you go outside and open the door on your wagon and look at it from the inside you will see that the glass goes much farther forward than the cavity in the door. There really isn’t any place for the glass to go down into beyond a couple of inches.

I understand that, I looked. Seems as the door panels are also a factor. There are some 4 door cars where the back window does go down some, the wing window is a little bigger and the main one is a bit smaller than what’s on the 4 doors and wagons, which lets it roll down some. That is what I am looking for. What fits the Malibu if anything was the question. I know I can’t get mine to go down much. Thank you for your answer Sir.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Also of note, sedan and wagon doors have different window frames shape and height. Therefore they’re not a direct swap although in a pinch the frames can be removed and swapped to the other door but involves drilling, cutting, and welding.

The vent glasses and door glasses for the rear doors also do not interchange between sedan and wagon

 

[Ribbedroof]

To my knowledge the only rear doors that fit a Malibu are Malibu and Pontiac Lemans which later became the Bonneville from 82 to 86

 

[Fatboy]

Also of note, sedan and wagon doors have different window frames shape and height. Therefore they’re not a direct swap although in a pinch the frames can be removed and swapped to the other door but involves drilling, cutting, and welding.

The vent glasses and door glasses for the rear doors also do not interchange between sedan and wagon

Yeah I read that somewhere. I need to actually get my hands on another back door from other G bodies and or that Cadillac one so I can get measurements and angles. If nothing works then Oh well. I most likely will never ride in my own backseat anyway 🤣

 

[Ribbedroof]

This topic comes up pretty frequently ,usually at least once a year. Some have claimed to have seen it done but no one has ever produced photographic evidence of one

 

[85ss/85gn]

No other doors will fits other than Malibu and lemans/Bonneville wagon doors. 4 doors Malibu and lemans/Bonneville doors will work if you swap the window frames. That's why gm put vent windows in.

 

[Longroof79]

This discussion had come up frequently over the years. Although it may have been talked about, like Brian ^ said, no one ever had come forward with evidence that it's been done.

 

[liquidh8]

I wish I still had the pics, but years ago I did it it accomplished, but as stated, the window only went down as far as the wheel well opening allowed. This is certainly better than nothing. You also observed how the door panel gets in the way, which would be true. I personally have the power vent windows, and I don't sit in the back soo it's all good, haha.