I'm replacing the window channel on my 1939 JD. Not much of the original left to know what to look for. It appears that originally there were two fairly ridged channels on both sides of the window. Across the top, (now missing) I'm guessing there was another piece of channel. I purchased a "Repops" feltkit. It included the two ridge channels just like original. However, for across the top of the window, instead of window channel they provided foam strips that look suspiciously like the original door weather strip for a 47-53. Am I correct in assuming this should be a piece of window channel or do they actually know their business.
I don't know for sure what your '39 would have used, but on my 1951 truck the widow channel was the same all the way up the back side of the window and over the top to meet up with the division bar for the wing window. The stuff is corrugated, so can be formed to match the curve at the upper corner. It was delivered in a roll, and had to be straightened out for the rear part. Held in place by small sheet metal screws. I'll bet yours should be similar.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Thanks for the reply, that helps. It appears 1951 would be similar but a bit different. I believe 1939-46 were all the same and would still like to know how they were configured.
A search through various Chevy Master Parts Books can hopefully provide a bit of helpful info. The exploded cab and door diagram covering the 1939-46 Conventional cabs shows the two window channel sections and nothing above that for added channel from what I can see. Further diving into the books on the parts themselves shows what looks like originally as a Parts Group 16.223 in the 1946 book: "felt" headerstrip, door window GM# 598757 which is listed in some books as 5/8" wide x 27" long x 1/4" high.
Kinda sounds like there isn't an actual channel along the top section of the window from what I can tell, just the felt (now maybe repop foam) strip?
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Great assessment. I don't think I would ever have found GM# 598757. This 5/8" wide x 27" long x ?/4" high is a perfect fit. A little investigation on AI and my part indicates that this is an obsolete part and not replaced or available by itself. The only way to get something close is with its inclusion in a felt kit like the above mentioned "Repop" kit. Their 27" foam part (cross section below) may be the best available. The other aftermarket option available is to use a single piece of flexible channel to replace the original three parts. I'm going to try the "Repop" kit. I would think that the inclusion of 27" of flexible window channel would be a better option, but that does not appear to be an option in any of the kits and I'm too cheap to buy an additional 8ft roll of window channel. I could always do that if I don't like the way the "Repop" weatherstripping works out. Many thanks.
