Windshield Installation

[MadMaxetc]

I have heard that this is hard to do and that you often break the glass if you don’t know what you are doing.

My current glass has a big crack in it so I am not worried about braking it to get it out, and the rubber is old so I don’t care about saving it either.

I guess what I am asking is…

Is it the Removal or the Installation that is hard and has the risk of breaking the glass?

Thanks Guys!

[Blue Cloud]

Both can be hard if not right! I took my all glass out this spring to paint the truck. The way I removed the windshield and rear window was to use a utility knife to cut the rubber seals from the inside around the entire window, then just pushed the glass outward intact. It helps to have one or two helpers "catch" it. The easy way to install windshield and rear window glass is to first put on the new rubber seals around the glass, then use a long piece of 1/8" or 1/4" nylon rope pushed into the groove of the new seal all the way around the window to where both ends end up on the bottom of the window. Have someone "or two" hold the glass into position applying light but firm pressure then slowly pull one end and the the other of the rope. Try to stay sort of even as you go. It works really easy on the straight sides and kind of tricky around the corners. Pulling the ropes at different angles around the corners seemed to help. The further you move along, the better the window holds itself onto the frame. Took me and my two sons about 20 minutes to do one window. I didn't use any sealant around the frame, just cleaned the lip real well and haven't had any leaks so far.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Max...

Removal is super easy... you have to cut the rubber seal...
It took me a whole 15-20 minutes to get the one outta the '71 CS I dismantled.
Using a good sharp utility knife...
I started on the driver's corner cut across the corner then started pulling the rubber and cutting as I went.
When I got back to the corner where I started, the windshield was ready to come out.
I used a small flat pry bar to get behind the rubber and got it it started. After that it came out really easy.
Putting one in, you put the rubber on the windshield first. Then use a small cord to go around the whole inside of the rubber.
This next part is much easier with two people. I'm not even sure if I'd try it by myself or not.
Set the bottom part of the window in the track. Then start pulling the lip of the rubber on the inside so it covers the track... slowly working around the windshield until the whole thing has seated in.
I have heard of using dish detergent on the rubber before installation, but have never seen that before...
Maybe some of the other guys might have some tricks up their sleeve.
I have removed a couple of windshields with no problem at all, but have have never installed one before.
I have watched a couple of times and they did it the way I described...
Good luck...

KaptnKAOS

[rjewkes]

i didn't have a rop i just put the rubber on the window(this is where some sealant would help. then i sat the window on the opening then went inside and started pulling the rubber in with some of those pick tools you can buy/borrow.

you have to pull the rubber in and then start rolling it over the edges. i gotta say it worked but woulda been way easier(and less painfull i stabbed my thumb realy good a couple thousand times) to do the rope method.

or even the window stick deal.

[averagef250]

I can't even imagine doing it without a rope!

Removing the glass you have 2 options. you can smash the glass or you can cut the rubber. If the rubber's good I smash the glass.

You can use rope as big as 3/8" if you want. It can take a good bit of pull to get the rubber seated and dish soap helps a lot.

Get the rubber on the window right. If it's at all crooked or you get the window set crooked in the opening you can get yourself in trouble.

Take your time, eat your wheaties and get a buddy to help. There's no way you'll break the glass if you take your time.

You can do it by yourself easily if you have glass cups.

[foghorn]

I can't even imagine doing it without a rope!

Removing the glass you have 2 options. you can smash the glass or you can cut the rubber. If the rubber's good I smash the glass.

You can use rope as big as 3/8" if you want. It can take a good bit of pull to get the rubber seated and dish soap helps a lot.

Get the rubber on the window right. If it's at all crooked or you get the window set crooked in the opening you can get yourself in trouble.

Take your time, eat your wheaties and get a buddy to help. There's no way you'll break the glass if you take your time.

You can do it by yourself easily if you have glass cups.

Smashing it makes to big a mess. Just cut the old seal max thenits a lot less work. Also no glass getting into the defroster vents to come flying out at you the first time you kick it on.Also 1/4 is the size of my choice for ropes. work the rope in a circular motion in the corners to reduce cutting or tearing the new seal. Remember i do have 25 yrs in the body shop. Also i like to use plain old fashion gojoes hand cleaner to slick up the new seal going in sometimes the new ones can be a PIA as they havent been formed to the shape of the opening. If you need just pm me your number and i will call you for any questions you may have.




Foggy

[MadMaxetc]

If you need just pm me your number and i will call you for any questions you may have.




Foggy

How about you just stop in this fall and "help" me !!

[averagef250]

Smashing makes a mess, but if you need the seal it's not too bad.

[FORDification]

Just a (slightly off-topic) FYI on the subject of removing glass. This one pertains to the rear window only though: you CAN remove the rear glass without cutting the gasket or smashing the glass. I was able to do that once when I tried, just to see if it could be done. I was able to take a flat-bladed screwdriver and work the gasket off around the perimeter of the opening, without damaging the gasket or glass. I think it took me about 10-15 minutes.

[foghorn]

Well Keith beat me to the punch on how to remmove it with out cutting the seal. Just pull it down and push it in past the body flange a little at a time still better than smashing IMO. Smashing = glass in the butt because no matter how much you vacume or blow it with a air hose glass bits are still present.




Foggy

[MadMaxetc]

...just to see if it could be done...

You have WAY to much time on your hands!

Actualy that is helpfull. I might be doing the rear glass are well.

[1971fordcustom]

I did work at a glass shop and puting in windshilds. Well I put my back one it but when it came to the windshild I was less then 5mm from getting it in. So I took it to the shop and wile 4 of us was trying to get it out it busted. So thay got me a new one and it took 4 of us to get it in. Now you talk about hard 3 of the guys has 36 years in glass and it was one of the hardest thay ever done. So if I was you I woud take it to a shop. If thay bust it thay get you a new one free if you bust it you have to get one more and you just might bust that one to.

[69bumptruck]

So thay got me a new one and it took 4 of us to get it in. Now you talk about hard 3 of the guys has 36 years in glass and it was one of the hardest thay ever done. So if I was you I woud take it to a shop. If thay bust it thay get you a new one free if you bust it you have to get one more and you just might bust that one to.

I agree. I had a friend who did mine, and installing windshields is what he does, and he said it was a real PITA! One of the hardest he had ever done. I'm probably going to leave mine in on the rebuild just so I don't have to mess with it.

[Wes]

When I was a kid my father and removed the rear window every summer and put it every fall, on our 72 CS . hehe we used a pair of flat blade screw drivers. would the rope trick today thou.

[1971fordcustom]

My truck is getting repainted and I go over to help the guy out and we are leaveing the windshild and the back glass in. He has some tape he can put on the rubber and it will pull it out so he can paint where the rubber go's to. That way we wont mess it all up .