The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Where best to get glass for a 46

My panel has cracked side windows and a foggy windshield. Is there a good glass source for these old trucks?
Thanks for any help.
Mike Vee

That glass is simple flat laminated glass.. any glass shop can cut if for you.

You'll want to have the old glass to give them to use as a pattern (some of the older shops might actually still have patterns on hand)

I've seen cut panels for a '46 range in price from as little as $15 to as high as $45 per piece.

The "foggy" you mention is usually from moisture getting between the laminate and the glass.. i've also seen them turn kind of a greenish color.. in fact, my local glass guy asked me if I wanted clear or "green tinge" when I inquired about it.

Thanks Fumblin, I will have to look around.
I haven't seen anyone locally that just worked with glass. They are prolly right under my nose. That may be a good mail order business, judging from the glass prices I see on the street rod sites.

Since the 41-46 has flat glas, is it a safe assumption that the left & right door windows are identicle?

Mike,

I would say...No on being the same. I would save them both and have them copied/cut. Most "good" glass places should be able to help you out and get you seeing clearly again.

I need to take the plunge on my 46, but before I do, I need to clean up the frames etc and get them nice to match the new glass.

Let us know what you pay.

Let your fingers do the walking.. most places in the Yellow Pages under Glass or Windows can hook you up.

When I was looking for spark plugs for my '46, I called two places and told 'em I needed spark plugs for a 1946 Chevrolet 2 ton truck with a 235 engine. One place said they couldn't help me, the other place said it would be a special order item and would be just over $2 a plug.

I pulled one of the plugs out and called both places the next day saying only I needed a Champion number blah blah. Wouldn't you know they didn't have that specific plug, but they had the AC or some other company version.. for $1.09 a piece.

I did the same thing.

I pulled one of the plugs and took it in. I told the guy that I needed "six of these" and handed him the plug.

It's amazing how much you can get locally when you have a part to thunk down in front of the guy.

[shakes head]

Your left and right window glass should be opposites. One thing to look for in the yellow pages is a glass company that's been in business forever. Also, don't restrict your search to automobile glass companies. I found one local building glass man that was able to look at a window glass for my 52 and tell me how it was cut wrong. Walked over to the grinder, worked on it for a couple of minutes and told me no charge. It fit like a glove.

In my area, almost everyone who replaces windshields is capable of cuting flat glass. Allen

It's good to hear that spirit still exists.
I will pay more and go out of my way to use businesses like that. You can't always go for the absolute lowest price IMO.

ABSOLUTELY!

My local NAPA is about as helpful as an crocodile in a swimmin' hole.

My local Advance Auto and Auto Zone are good for cheap oil, shop towels, and other "off the shelf" stuff, but when it comes to actually helping you find something, they're totally clueless. I have to look the stuff up myself on their respective websites and just walk in with the part numbers.

I'm lucky enough to have a Pronto auto parts store locally. The prices are higher, the in store selection leaves a little to be desired, but the guy dosen't have a problem helping me find what I need.. and if he dosen't have it, he can order it and have it in the store by 7:30AM the next morning.

In my book, paying a couple dollars more is well worth the service.

Fumbin, it's a shame that your local NAPA is useless - usually they are one of the best places to find odd stuff, with a helpful staff.

NAPA, CarQuest, and the old-school FLAPS are my usual go-to sources for parts. AutoZone for some newer stuff.