katmav1
New Member
Thought I would share some info on my Kombi install as when I purchased my window pods there was little info I could find about them, and I wasn't sure they would be worth the cost.
When I first unpacked the pods and held them up to the window I almost sent them back, they are made from two pieces of formed ABS stuck together and come with an additional flimsy ABS surround which you then stick on the front after carpeting. None of the curves and profiles looked very well aligned and they felt cheap. The string parts of the blinds looked to be installed wonky.
I decided to fully carpet them as I have standard kombi windows that don't have a dark tint so you would see the pods from the outside. I really wouldn't advise doing this as the big radii on the product and complex shape make it a nightmare! You can have them carpeted at an extra cost per pod, but this is just covering the front faces not the entire pod, and I don't know how well they would be done.
So..on to the issues:
1. The tailgate pod leaks light around the blind and down both sides of the pod. The sliding door pod leaks light around the handle (this I knew about) and the bottom corner.
2. Both side window pods are tight against the shoulder of the kombi seats, this makes it very difficult to get hold of and pull the seat belts around. Additionally they restrict the seat belt swivel from being able to swivel.
3. The handle on the sliding door blind rubs down the rear quarter body panel if you open your door with the blind down. Bit of a fundamental issue as its marked my paintwork, and makes getting out in the night a pain. Van shades have since added this to their FAQ page since speaking to them.
5. The blind doesn't sit straight in one of my side pods so the handles on the blind don't align properly in the cuts intended for them on the front surround.
4. And finally if you have a rear wiper motor, you have to cut a section out of the rear pod to make it clear the screen wash feed pipe.
Apparently they are bringing version 2 designs out at the end of the year...
I was offered no solutions to my issues listed above, but have managed to fix the sliding door light leak myself with a large strip of foam which I carpeted and stuck to the back of the pod.
When I first unpacked the pods and held them up to the window I almost sent them back, they are made from two pieces of formed ABS stuck together and come with an additional flimsy ABS surround which you then stick on the front after carpeting. None of the curves and profiles looked very well aligned and they felt cheap. The string parts of the blinds looked to be installed wonky.
I decided to fully carpet them as I have standard kombi windows that don't have a dark tint so you would see the pods from the outside. I really wouldn't advise doing this as the big radii on the product and complex shape make it a nightmare! You can have them carpeted at an extra cost per pod, but this is just covering the front faces not the entire pod, and I don't know how well they would be done.
So..on to the issues:
1. The tailgate pod leaks light around the blind and down both sides of the pod. The sliding door pod leaks light around the handle (this I knew about) and the bottom corner.
2. Both side window pods are tight against the shoulder of the kombi seats, this makes it very difficult to get hold of and pull the seat belts around. Additionally they restrict the seat belt swivel from being able to swivel.
3. The handle on the sliding door blind rubs down the rear quarter body panel if you open your door with the blind down. Bit of a fundamental issue as its marked my paintwork, and makes getting out in the night a pain. Van shades have since added this to their FAQ page since speaking to them.
5. The blind doesn't sit straight in one of my side pods so the handles on the blind don't align properly in the cuts intended for them on the front surround.
4. And finally if you have a rear wiper motor, you have to cut a section out of the rear pod to make it clear the screen wash feed pipe.
Apparently they are bringing version 2 designs out at the end of the year...
I was offered no solutions to my issues listed above, but have managed to fix the sliding door light leak myself with a large strip of foam which I carpeted and stuck to the back of the pod.
