The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New windshield not fitting

In researching my issue, I found windshield problems discussed here and in the paint and body forum. I decided to post here for maximum exposure. Please forgive and move it if this is inappropriate.

This is a 58 1/2 ton pickup currently in a restoration shop. I got the windshield and big back glass from Classic Parts in Kansas City. I had previously ordered the rubber from the Truck Shop in Ca. And the stainless windshield trim came from Classic Industries in Ca. The ordering process stretched over almost 2 years, which is why 3 suppliers are involved. My shop subcontracts the glass install to a professional glass outfit.

The back glass went in and fits perfectly. The windshield is another story. Apparently even with the stainless installed in the rubber properly, there is still a "gap" along the top edge of the windshield and the cab frame that they deem unsatisfactory. They think the glass is wrong. The old windshield is long gone so nothing to compare dimensions with. The gap is somewhere between 1/4 and 3/8''. The rubber still catches the lip but not securely.

Questions:
Has anyone had an issue with glass coming from Classic Parts in KC?
Does anyone know the correct width of the windshield?
Is bad rubber coming from the Truck Shop a common issue?
Thanks

It may be that your glass isn't correct, but I would sooner suspect the rubber as the real problem.

My truck is a '53 so we're dealing with different trucks and different glass, but this is what I've found. I ordered new glass and rubber from LMC. The glass was a perfect match to the old glass. The rubber had to be stretched onto the glass and then it didn't fill the windshield opening. I've used a windshield sealant to seal the rubber to the cab but it looks (bad).

A friend of mine had the same issue so he ordered new rubber from Steele and it fits right. In fact the rubber is larger than the cab opening so the opening actually compresses the rubber onto the glass which is good because rubber will shrink over time.

I've since ordered a replacement windshield gasket from Steele and it's a thicker, better looking gasket.

Steele rubber products will likely cure your problem. Quality products from a quality company. You will pay a bit more up front but well worth it.

How many '58 windshields has the specific installer (the guy, not the company) installed? Our old trucks don't roll into glass shops every day, and if they have a new guy, I can see how issues other than glass size can occur.

I have installed windshields in two '59s and my '56 from 3 different local suppliers. The first '59 was about 15 years ago and the glass fit nicely. The other two the glass did not fit the opening well and it took some finesse to get it where the gaps were equal and some sealant to close it up.

I'm getting ready to order my rubber for my cab. Pedal pads, seals, channels, everything. Should I not use LMC for the windshield? Sounds like it will just be a headache.

Use Steele Rubber for you windshield rubber.
Harold

Fox, if you go to Steele's on-line catalog you may find a complete rubber kit for your truck. Steele is noted for good stuff and good customer service but they are a bit pricey.

I tried using Steele rubber windshield rubber. Couldn't get the original windshield back in. Steele refunded my order and I bought one from Precision. Fit perfectly. This was 6 years ago.

Bob,

What is "Precision"'s company name?

And, or, post a link to its website.

Thanks

I have done several TF also.
1. Steele Rubber only.
2. The problem is NEVER going to be the rubber from Steele
3. Difficulties are caused by Installer error or possible weak/Chinese rubber.
Most of the time when there is a fit problem it is because there are huge tolerances between glass size and Truck opening. If you get a max tolerance on one piece and min on the other it's going to be a fight. (Gap or interference)
4. I am pretty sure all TF glass comes from one source.
5. I buy my glass from Bob's in Oregon. Free pickup at a local
Pilkingtons.
6. On one job I had to abandon the chrome trim and go with plain
to get it in.
7. I am a little skeptical about a 1/4-3/8 gap. Pretty big, but heavy glass does settle downward.
8. It is disappointing that Steele Rubber used to be 100% U.S.A. made but not any more, some is foreign.

Thanks everyone for your answers. I'll be at the shop in the morning to see it first-hand and will report back.

I will have to go back in time and contact the company that supplied the rubber.

Precisions website is www.prp.com . My experience with their gaskets and mouldings has been mixed, so I won't recommend or not recommend them. If you DON"T have chrome, WBL 407 GM , w/chrome WCR 407 GM. Good Luck

John

Wonder what happened?

Here's the update:
I ordered new rubber from Steele and the glass guys came back yesterday. The aftermarket stainless leaves something to be desired, but the windshield is in and secure. If I had it to do over again, I would probably have just gone with the plain gasket. Thanks to all who helped with this. http://imgur.com/MLkIHk9

Tim, what do you think, and what does the glass guy think was the problem? Very nice truck!!!!

The glass guy thinks the Steele rubber is much more substantial than the first one. He used the word flimsy when describing the first one. Also, the stainless trim "slot" in the Steele rubber accepted the trim and held it better. The first rubber was collapsing downward leaving a gap at the top.

I'm not completely happy with the trim I ordered from Classic Industries. It's contours are slightly different at the outside edges of the windshield, although it didn't look as bad once installed in the truck. I'm guessing that it didn't fit that great coming out of the factory originally, either. Thank you for the kind words about the truck. I plan to post a set of pics when its done.

Good to know, thanks. We will continue to advise others to use Steele rubber, especially on windshields.

Hi Tim,i'm glad to hear you got 'er done.
One small question,I looked at your picture link,did the glass guy fit the chromes after the windshield was in as I see they're absent in the picture?

P.S. Your truck looks beautiful!

I really need to get one,the downside being there's no vendors in the UK as far as I can work out,and the $/£ exchange rate just plain sucks right now.

I've had my fair share of problems with my nasty R.O.C. produced one,it was split and cracked even before I eventually got my truck on the road.

Now i'm fed up chasing leaks,even more embarassing as I actually fit auto glass for a living.

It's not exactly a good rolling advert for my profession....

Steele sells on eBay with no shipping.I haven't been able to find a better price.

Rubber goes on windshield, then stainless goes in, then assembly goes in the truck. They inserted a rope about 1/4 ' diameter with the open ends meeting at the top middle of the windshield, then they set the bottom in first and worked the rope. Thank you! About another week to go.

Thanks Tim,I was just curious,I know how it works, (I'm a glass fitter) that's why I asked.

Like I said,i'm glad you got it done eventually.

Sounds good,i'll look it up,thanks.