Front Windshield and Rear Window Removal & Install

[1971 Farmer-250]

I just finished sanding my '71 Custom Camper Special and have decided to do it right and remove front and rear glass before painting. Both gaskets are in really bad shape and don't want to risk a leak.

Does anyone have any tips on removing the front windshield and/or rear glass? Or the difficulty level involved in the process? My truck doesn't have any window moldings. I have a couple of the different removal tools at my disposal: air saw, piano string, double saw handles. I want to try my best not to break the front windshield, the rear glass "looks" easier b/c of the metal frame around it.






Any tips on the install will also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[basketcase0302]

Both gaskets are in really bad shape and don't want to risk a leak.

With the above said, it's real easy to carefully take a sharp razor/utility knife and cut the gasket out. I cut the inside lip of my gaskets (front and rear windows) then pulled them outward.
Frank (FreakyFords) had the best "how to" on the install I'd seen in awhile, I can't seem to be able to find it?

[big block]

take them out like basketcase said sand and paint flanges . who is painting truck? those should be a rope in gasket not real hard . you can get the shop to install or you can probibly do it yourself . wes

[1971 Farmer-250]

who is painting truck?

I will actually be doing the body work and painting myself with the help of a buddy who has done it once before and the access to an uncle who owns a paint store.

[fordman]

cut the rubber out. that is the best way. especially if the rubber is bad.

[1971 Farmer-250]

Your tips worked GREAT! All it took was a utility knife, a buddy, and 20 min. to remove both front and rear glass

Thanks Guys

[FORDification]

I actually have a little mini-tutorial on removing the front windshield here:

http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=40806

[1971 Farmer-250]

Those pix are great, thats exactly how it went. Except mine didn't have any moldings on the front windshield. Any tips or pix on the install? I've heard sash cord thrown around.

[big block]

i use a piece of parachute cord that i keep soaking in oil ,but any type of rope (small diamater)will work lube is the key!!!! put gasket on glass put the rope in the groove of the new gasket if you have moldings them to must go in before you mount. spray wd 40 or equalevlant on molding / rope / groove / ect... like i said lube is your key to success!!! place glass in hole try to get one side i use bottom over flange and pull rope to pull rubber lip over flange small cricle motions will prevent it from tearing and small taps on glass with your palm from out side will help set glass . good luck wes

[68 BB Bump]

I just put my glass back in, took me and a friend an hour and 15 mins to install both rear window and windshield. I used a piece of 3/16 nylon rope and just soaked it in soapy water an soapy water in a spray bottle. Keep wet and work the rope in a circular motion. I feel it's real important to get the glass centered when you start, mine was off a little and it's hard to get it slid over when you get half way around.

[Wolf0r]

Great you guys answered my questions about the windshields. I have put windshields in a few school buses and my cougar so it's the same. I got gaskets coming.

[foghorn]

I like using the old fashion go-joe's hand cleaner on the rubber to install with. It wont hurt the paint in any way even if its new paint or not. Years ago i had a friend that bought a 71 f-250 that was faded kinda bad and he used go-joe's to shine it up. At that time it was the first time i had ever seen anyone do this with go-joe's. When he was done man did it shine it almost looked like fresh paint. The main area to do the circles is in the corners so it dont rip the gaskets. My method of installing is to do the bottom and half of one side then do the same going the other direction. Then work your way up to the middle of the top on one side and repeat the same for the other side. When you get both ends on top and close to each other you may have to hold the other end of the rope to keep it from sliding through the rubber while pulling the other end. I have used other things for lube on the gaskets but found go-joe's to be the easiest to clean up. The WD-40 and other types of oils are a big PITA to clean off. Plus if you install the glass before you paint the whole truck oils will cause fish eyes. Some people will paint the pinchwelds out far enough to install the glass then paint the rest of the truck besides i have seen some oils stain fresh paint in my many years in the body shop.




Foggy

[Wolf0r]

I painted my pinch welds out 3" around. I used rope from the hardware store for clothsline and glass cleaner for lube. Also 2x plastic windshield knives I got from a friend. Lay the rubber out in the sun as it is hard to get on the windshield being all twisted up in the bag. It took me longer to do this than to install into the truck. Pull the rope from the inside when installing and make sure the rubber is not backwards.