Rear window dimensions needed

[Jacksdad]

Odd request, but I'm in need of the dimensions of a bump's rear window opening. I'm welding in new sheetmetal above and below the window on my DRW F350, and it's turning into a much bigger job because I'm seeing a ton of unexpected distortion and twisting in the cab. I'm having to work twice as hard to get the seams, body lines, etc to line up, and I want to make sure the opening is correct when it's all done. I know the easy fix would be to find a truck in the wrecking yard and pop the rear window to measure the opening, but now I need one there are none to be found (go figure...).
If anyone has their rear window out and can spare the time, I'd really appreciate a few top to bottom measurements, starting from the center of the opening and moving to the outer edge in 5" increments. To be sure both the window and trim are going to sit right, I ideally need two vertical measurements - one between the edges of the pinch welds, and the other between the horizontal section that the window gasket sits against (hopefully the pics help to explain it better). If anyone can spare the time, it would be very much appreciated. I'm stuck right now until I can verify the dimensions.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/136502281 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/136502281 ... ed-public/

[Jacksdad]

I'm in danger of losing the use of my in laws' driveway as my temporary work area, so I decided to bite the bullet and "adjust" the cab on the passenger side. My problem is a window opening that's not square after grafting in pieces from a donor F250 - it's almost 1/4" shorter on the passenger side even when all the body lines, edges and seams line up. It's been a nightmare trying to pull all the sheet metal back into alignment to close off the back of the cab, so this is just one of many issues I've had to deal with. Hopefully raising the short side was the right move, and in make the opening square I didn't make it too large. The only measurements I have are from another bump in my neighborhood which still has the window in place and were taken between the body lines above and below the window gasket, but they are matching what I have now. The gap is even all around the glass with it resting on the lower panel, and the upper edge of the rear window lines up nicely with the windshield when viewed from the front. I'll trial fit the glass with the new gasket before I go any further to make sure it sits in there okay.
Fun and games - but it'd be boring if it was easy, right?

[sargentrs]

Sorry I just saw this. Could've helped you with your original post. Glad you got it figured out!

[Jacksdad]

Hey, I wouldn't say no to some measurements if you're not too busy. I'm only putting the window in to check that it fits - measurements would do just as well and save me the trouble of taking it back out to get it ready for paint. I made a template out of MDF braced with 2"x3"s using the window as a rough guide, so I know the opening is flat - it's just the exact size and shape of the opening that I need to confirm now.
If you have time, it would be very much appreciated

PS Just checked out the build on your F100 - very impressed with the level of the work you've done. Nice color, by the way.

[Jacksdad]

More than a little burnout, the holidays, and the inevitable move from my temporary work area (AKA my in law's driveway) have put the brakes on me making any significant progress in a while. I'm still getting by with my MDF "window", but I finally found another bump in the wrecking yard and got the measurements I needed. The good news is that gambling on raising the passenger side corner of the roof (and not dropping the driver's side to even everything up) seems to have been right, and the window opening appears to be correct to within a millimeter or two across it's whole width. Barring any other unforeseen problems, I guess that means (in theory...) the new window will fit when I finally get around to putting it in. Yay for dumb luck
Now I can stop worrying about it, throw some bondo at it and move on to the next problem(s).

[sargentrs]

Wow! Sorry I missed your post about wanting those measurements. I feel bad about letting you down there. Glad you got it worked out though. And thanks!

[Jacksdad]

No worries. It worked out well in the end. To be honest, I still have a lot of work to do before the window can go in anyway - with the dimensions confirmed, I might as well go ahead and straighten out the new sheet metal enough to justify a topcoat (rattle can most likely - just to seal it from the elements until I can get the whole cab painted).

[sargentrs]

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Jacksdad]

I'll get some pics sorted out - they're all over my computer and camera at the moment.