Walking by my beloved 1990 245 'White Lightning' two days ago, I noticed my tailgate glass was completely shattered. As I gingerly opened a door, the window instantly disintegrated. No neighbors for a few miles up here, except deer, bobcats, vultures, and the occasional cougar, so who knows what actually happened...

Anyways, the auto glass shop quoted me at $450 for glass, $80 for install. The nearby junkyards have mid 80s 245 tailgates for $250. In looking at related posts here at Brickboard, I see that the 1990 and newer 245s have flat glass for the tailgate.

Could I cut out a piece of plexiglass to fit the tailgate and just RTV it in place? Anyone done this?

Thanks for your help,

Ian

I'm on the other side of the world, with different vehicle regulations, but I'm wondering whether plexi is allowed in your state. In Australia they won't allow it for street use, because the paramedics can't break it after an accident. Might be acceptable for the tailgate though, as long as you don't have a 3rd row seat fitted.

I only know this because people who remove all the heavy fragile glass from their track day cars and just have plexi panels can't register them for street use.

--
A smart bomb. The bomb teaches Shakespearean sonnets, ancient cuneiform, relativity, and the Tibetan language. It may know other things. It has no tolerance for rudeness, so ask nicely.

That is an interesting and valid point. I don't know the answer. Does anyone here in the US know if it is a Federal law or not, or if certain panels on a vehicle are allowable?

I'd try car-part.com to locate a proper piece of used glass if possible. Plexi has a lot of undesirable features, and a piece thick enough to do the job right will set you back a pretty penny anyway.

Good luck!
-Ryan
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Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars, GT Braces
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars

Thanks for the site Ryan-

I found glass for $175 in Sacramento, 200 miles away, but found a tailgate at a nearby junkyard for $175 and installed it.

I think the dark grey tailgate on 'White Lightning' is growing on me...

I understand! I put a black tailgate off of a '92 on the back of my '83 silver Turbo wagon, and I really like the look.