Im thinking of converting my 69 mid ford shorty from window over to a panel. I can do it, Im not worried about that aspect of it. Ive been a bodyman for many..too many years.
Any input?

TMW ? .... calling Dr. Ken
Dr Ken.. Window Amputation calling
hehe

(i'm sure he's seen or planned multiple window removals)

I would luv to see step by step pics of this.... I would think it will be hard to keep the panel straight..... Good Luck and have fun! Superbeast might get wood when he reads this LOL

I know its a hard job. I really want to keep this van, but I dont care for the windows. I tried to sell it before but nobody wants to pay anything for it so I might as well keep it. Ive done everything mechanical. Its rock solid. It drives great.
Ive been thinking about doing it. I have a warm shop to do it in during the winter and It needs to be painted anyways sooner or later. I figure Ill remove the panels from another ford van doing the drivers side in one shot.
I do have too many projects going now so whats 1 more.

i had a window like the top pic on the pass side too
but i got a problem with TMD (too many doors)
so i shaved over the left rear side door AND removed the window
GOOD straight donor metal and patience is my only advice to a fellow bodyman
mine looked pretty good when i was done with it
just need more coats of paint !
1 gallon is NOT enough for an early ever
(in the top pic you can almost see primer under it )

i did a 71 mid shorty years ago,some of the more seasoned vanners might rememberit....it was called warlord,and was corvette yellow,but it started out as a full window van.you can fill the windows a couple of different ways,i chose to re-sheet the whole side......

Removing the entire panel from the bodyline to the driprail from a donor van would be the best option, the window outlines tend to pop thru if you just fill each window...
I've seen some bodyshops fill in conversion windows and make it look seamless, so this should be do-able.

As for should you, well if you can, do it! Panels are getting harder to find and this may become an option for vanners looking for a traditional van.

YOU ARE MY HERO! Anyone filling in a hole in a van should be king!

Replacing the whole panel would be the best way to go. If you wind up just filing in witha panel, maybe a good toime to consider a chop?

Chop? Hmmm.

i wouldn't even think about a chop unless you have at least one donor and the location of another incase you need something twice
...
that is if you want to do one "correct"
some have raked the windshield back and the back end similar to
make up for changed angles
donor door tops are a must at least and lots of time and welding
if i knew then what i know now?
i wouldn't have done it, but no turning back now
so i'm goin 102% into it
(this is 3 years after i bought it
and after i got another donor, and a few bits of another
just so i can finish all the major stuff now)

it ran and would have drove with a little life support
before it lost it's lid ;)

i am hoping to be vanning with it in the spring!