'84 sail windows are different?

[GTRS Fiero]

I hadn't really thought about it before, but are the '84 sail panel frames different from the sail windows in later years?

Fierosails says that their windows fit '85-'88 notchies, but not the 84 unless later year frames are used.  If they're different, why?

I know the '84 windows were glass, stock.

[Raydar]

Yeah. They were glass. And the frames were completely different. I'm thinking the glass was "set in" to the frame, kind of like a windshield glass is set in to the rubber gasket.
The later windows just had the plastic window glued to the frame.

[GTRS Fiero]

Hmmm.  Good explanation.  OK.  So, if I want to replace the sail windows on an '84, do the frames come out without removing the windows?

[Fierofool]

Steve's correct.  The 84's are glass and they're molded into the frame.  They changed to a plastic insert in 85.  The 84 and 85 windows also use a metal  "U" clip that clips onto the flange along the downward sloped portion of the roof.  The sail windows have metal pins cast into the window frame and they push into the metal clips. 

86 and later notchback sail windows have a large plastic pin, and large holes in the roof flange.  The plastic pins have two arced 'wings' that hold the window into the flange, along with the common large threaded stud at the lower front that is secured to the car by a stamped metal 'pal nut'. 

[GTRS Fiero]

I took the sail window pieces out of my 86SE, and  put the new one in with double-sided tape.  I don't recall any screws or clips.  I guess the screw and clip are for the panel.

[Fierofool]

Correct.  They are on the back of the main frame of the window.  The inserts are held in by double side tape.