The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 55-59 Burb side sliders

Anyone an expert on suburban side window installation? None of my burbs have had the side windows fully installed, and I cannot find any detail on how the glass is installed. The 55-59 GMC shop manual is pretty vague about much of it, and the GMC master parts books don't even reference the side windows at all, strange as it may sound. Anyone done this job that can offer some insight? I have ordered the window rubber and felt kits for all four windows from Truck Shop in Orange, CA. Once the glass, ribber and felt is installed in the frames, is there another heavier side window rubber that is installed? Or is the rubber that is installed in the frame the same rubber that is supposed to go over the pinch weld on opening for the window? Also, the shop manual talks about a "stabilizer" that is attached to the bottom edge of the sliding glass. Anyone have a picture of that stabilizer? This is for a 56 GMC Suburban, BTW. Thanks!

I am not sure how to install the glass into the sliders, but there is only one rubber trim for the frames, it goes around the pinch weld and then the frames are screwed to the inside of the suburban window opening (I hope that makes sense). Pete's Auto Glass in Whittier can install the glass in the frames and install the frames in the suburban.

I have a shop man. for my chev suburban, i'll try to scan that section.

Thanks jimbob1957. I was able to go out and look at a suburban that was in tact, and got a good idea of how it all works. 57Sub3100...There was a suburban specific shop manual?!?

omg, i wish there was... i have a truck man. for a 57 and it has a section with panel/suburban in it and the sliding side windows is covered in there. I will try and get those scan today for you.

The manual does tell you how. Remove rivets shown in manual or otherwise "stretch open" the frame and install. Hopefully you have the new channel and rubber kit. The non-moving window is held in by rivets/brackets and the slider is captured in the frame. It's not too hard. 1-10 it's a 7. KY may be beneficial during some parts of the install. It is water soluable but soap leaves a sticky film sometimes and is very hard to get rid of completely. I actually made a "stretcher" using a turnbuckle. The eye ends of the turnbuckle fit into the u-shape frame. You can attach two turnbuckles to two pieces of wood and make a neat stretcher also for various situations around the shop. Those woodworker's wooden clamps can also work as spreaders. OK I'm done.

Did it a couple of years ago on my 59. Someone on Chevytalk emailed me a few pages of instructions. Do you want me to forward those to you? They are from the shop manual and specific to the Suburban.