The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Front Window install

I just installed the front window on my 1953 3100.

What concerns me is that it went too smooth.

What concerns me is that the window almost seems a bit outta positition. When looking from the front to the truck, the left (pax side) seems aligned well all around. The right side (drivers side) seems ok on the top and bottom, but just the top right corner doesn't seem to go up enough. If I put a small plastic window tool it can pass to the inside portion of the rubber seal.

Ok, I'm not going to ask is this is normal, coz I don't think it is. What I want to ask is if the rubber will move or preposition with temperature changes, etc.

The new windows and rubber came from LMC....not steele. Things you learn after you've ordered your parts.

Anyway, I suppose that I'm looking for a little warm fuzzy, that it'll be ok, and not that I'll have to pull it out and start over. I don't know that I could put it in any better the second time around.

Thanks,
Steven

Some guys put urethane or RTV silicone between the seal and the body to keep water from going through the gap.

I know I've heard of and seen issues of front window fitment in the AD trucks. I think it's normal to have issues, I think someone will be along shortly to link to somewhere a solution has been posted.

I would not count on the glass shifting and fixing any perceived issues. I also think there are large production tolerances in the manufacture of these trucks originally and what you get is probably normal to your truck, but not necessarily all of them. My rubber from Classic fit well and I had new glass made using the original glass as a template. You can just see the Classic Parts window seal fitment in this photo.

I see. Well, I suppose that I should look at this through 61 yer old glasses. If my gaskets fit so well at that age, I might be so lucky.

I'll have to live with it. I may do something so low as fill that corner with a bit more adhesive. Then do a water check.

Front Windshield

It looks similar to a lot of the ones I have seen, my dads 52 had the same issue with the rubber not fitting tight into the corners. Hopefully someone else who has used the LMC windows and rubber chimes in.

After looking at the photos, I would start over using a gasket from a different supplier. The issues are more prevalent than just the corners. It does not look correct.

What looks off? Just trying to learn.

I honestly don't think the issue is only the rubber.

Take a look at Jockbolter's flickr page starting at https://www.flickr.com/photos/26014986@N07/4423362906/in/set-72157606265799089/.

His glass/rubber fitment is pretty similar. I'd be willing to bet the glass isn't cut very accurately. Even a better quality rubber like Steele's isn't going to compensate for glass that's poorly duplicated.

FWIW I used lmc's custom windshield rubber and their stainless trim along with classicparts glass and have a windshield that doesn't leak at all even under full blast from a powerwasher.

EDIT: @ 46gmcpu, not answering for DavidF as he may see different issues, but to me the glass from the OP doesn't seem to be seated far enough in towards the cab if that makes sense. It looks like it's outside of the lip instead of seated fully.

Thanks, I see what you mean.

Is there a way to better seat the glass without complete removal?

I don't think so. The lubricant you used to install the first time has dried up and thus movement will be difficult if not impossible. Compare your photos to mine (now, I am not saying mine is correct, but it looks more correct than yours). See how the outer edge of the gasket on my windshield is laying flat against the cab metal and laying relatively flat. Yours is proud of the metal and curled under. Part of your gasket is doing what it is supposed to do (upper left side). I agree, it seems you did not get the gasket seated on the lip of the opening properly.

Ok, here's my take on this; LMC rubber is too small. I replaced my windshield glass and rubber (both from LMC). I checked the new glass against the old glass and it was a perfect match, but I had to stretch the rubber to get it to fit on the glass. I was able to assemble the glass into the rubber and carry the assembled unit out to my truck in one hand without fear of the glass falling out of the rubber. I installed it in my truck by myself with no problem but the rubber was pulled back from the corners of the cab opening. In fact, the new rubber was smaller than the 60 year old dried out original rubber all the way around. Even with several applications of sealant my windshield still leaks. A friend of mine used the LMC rubber and had the same issues, and then a week after installing it the rubber broke and pulled apart an inch at the bottom of the windshield.

The two people I've talked to that have used windshield rubber from Steele said it was a pain in the butt to install because it SEEMS way too BIG for the opening. Once installed though, it fits right all the way around the cab opening and seals well to the glass. I've ordered Steele rubber to replace my LMC rubber and the difference in the product is incredible.

Keep in mind that over time rubber will shrink. So if it's too small now and pulled away from the corners, it's not going to get any better.