The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Advance Design Cab Windlace Question

Advance Design guys-

I have a question about the channel that the cab windlace slides into on a '49-'54 truck. See, when I was replacing the kickpanels on my '54, I foolishly assumed that the channel was part of the cab windlace kit that Chevy duty sells.

Well, it's not and I wasn't too carefull about removing it...

I could probably scab it back together, but that's not the way I like to do things. Does anyone know either [A] where I could find a replacement channel or [B] if I can use the '47-early '49 "screw-on retaining strip" that Chevy Duty mentions in thier catalog.

Anyone have a "screw-on retaining strip" for sale?


Thanks!
Ed

The screw on retainer strip requires a different type of windlace so you would have to return yours. As far as I know the channel is not reproduced. The last 6" of mine was rotten near the floor so I cut what I could salvage into sections about 1 1/2" long and spaced them equally down the kick panel and riveted them on. It was a little tricky to feed it through the pc's. but it lays nicely and you can't tell the channel is not continuous. Or maybe somebody can set you up with some used channel.

Haha! Unfortunately, I mangled the channel all the way from the floor up to the dash. I used an air chissel to break the old spot welds loose and chewed through the channel in a few places....

Still, your idea might work. I may be able to salvage enough 1-1/2" sections to piece it together like you did. Not a bad idea!

If I managed to find a screw-in retaining strip and the correct windlace, would work in the later cab?


Thanks!
Ed

This channel is very easy to make if you have access to a sheet metal brake and if not take an undamaged piece to a sheet metal shop and they can make you one. We have our own brake and we have to make the bottom section on most of these in the AD truck. The brake will only bend it to 135 degrees (45 degrees past 90) so you have to tap the lip around with a flatface sheetmetal hammer until it is a tight fit for the windlace. Do a couple short pieces first because you will mess them up but with practice you'll get the hang of it. If you can't find a break that will make the second groove since the strip is so narrow, make two strips and stack them together. This gives the advantage of being adjustable since you can slide them together or apart to gain the correct width and then trim off the excess. We spotweld them but a countersunk screw or thin head pop rivet would work. Good luck

If I am not mistaken the metal retaining clips were only on certain trucks regardless of the year. They used metal to hold the rubber to the door on trucks used in very cold weather where the water might get down between the seal and where it sits and then freeze. When the frozen shut doors were "pried" open it pulled off the rubber. That is why they decided to use the metal strips. Might be an old wives tale but it sounds valid and anyone who has had a frozen door can attest to the logic of using the clips.

burger, that strip you are refering to is spot welded to the cab. I needed some for my truck and I drilled the spot welds from a doner truck and then tack welded the strip to my truck. If you could find a doner, that might work for you.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice and opinions!

Sounds like it's time to start playing with the sheetmetal brake!


Thanks,
Ed

Those '47-'50 retaining strips can be found if you post a wanted ad in the swapmeet section.