The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1946 replacement windshield

I am just beginning a teardown /rebuild of my grandfather's 1946 3100 half ton and the only reusable piece of the crank out windshield assembly is the driver side glass pane. The frame is all but gone, and the gasket disappeared decades ago. The gearbox works fine though. Where can I aquire a complete replacement frame, glass, seals, the whole deal?

Jim Carter Truck Parts is who I used for frames and gaskets. Glass as well, or local glass shop. You can purchase patterns from Carter.

I am in the same boat. Jim Carters has the winshield frame. pricey, but I have no choice.

I looked all over - Carter, Chev's of the 40's, ebay - they all really hosed you for the frame, and for the stainless divider bar unit.

Thanks to all

hey guys, i too had the same issue and your all right carter will hose you er.. kind of,.. i had some joker in astrailia that i came in contact with try to charge me $600 usd plus shipping for one. needless to say carter's price was managable.

I recieved one as a complete kit from bowtie bits . and it cost me $100.00 dollars in shipping, and 20% restock fee to get it and send it back when it didn't fit properly. so be careful.

Just resurfacing an old ? to see if anybody has had recent experience with these frames from either Jim Carter's or Bowtie bits. Their prices are similar so I assume they get them from the same supplier. I don;t want to spend the big dollars to replace mine if the concensus is they don;t fit right. I spend the time and $ to fix what i have.

So, has anybody got a story to tell (good or bad)?

Thanks
Tim

I lucked out and found a frame on Ebay.

Having found both some junk and great deals on e-bay, i am very hesitant for this particular part, I would have described my windshield frame as solid before I took it apart and removed the rust. I was shocked at the amount of rust inside of the channels that rusted through. I actually could probably just use it as is and continue to let it rot from the inside out, but that would not be right.

My fear is I will pay top $ for one on e-bay and get exactally what I currently have which is why I am considering a reproduction one to be sure of what it is I am getting. Same thing there with a slightly different issue (will it fit properly).

Tim

Anybody out there have experience with the replacement windshields?

Nobody out there has any experience with the relpacement windshield. Just hope to hear from someone before I go and place an order. Being that most of the big suppliers have them i would imagine someone has purchased one?

How did it fit, etc...?

Sheridan: I have not purchased any lately but will add my 2 cent. I would definitely go with a new one as you will easily speed as much trying to repair yours as you can buy one for and a repair will not last long enough for what you pay to fix it.

That said I bought a new frame for my 37 from American Classis but thats been a while back. I mostly purchase from JimCarter now for various reasons.
One thought to keep in mind is to pay for it on a credit card and as soon as you get it be sure to check it right then. If something is amiss then call the credit card company and dispute or hold the charges.....or what ever you do to contest the transaction! That should make it easier to get anything resolve if the need arises.

I'm in the process of doing my 46 and I'm replacing all the windows. First thing I did was purchase the patterns from Carters, that way they'll be no mistakes (hopefully).Any well known automotive glass cutter should be able to cut the proper size and mount them in the frames. I have the frames all taken apart, cleaned and painted and ready to go. I will let him do the mounting because if he breaks the glass it's his problem not mine. The rear one I'll have to mount myself. The patterns cost about 35 bucks and I think is a good investment. Fortunately the glass for the Art Decos is all flat so it shouldn't be too expensive as they don't have to be pre made in a factory. Good luck. Bob T

Thanks for the thoughts. I already have all of my glass and am just struggling with the windshield frame. i have one that looks great on the outside but the channel (inside where you can't see) has some rust through and i know I'd end up paying more to fix it than just paying for a new one. Achipmunk, that is a good idea to order one and try it on right away returning it if it does not seem to fit. I'll likely go that rougte and post the results.

Sheridan... would like to know how it works out. I have also been looking at the frames from bowtie bits, and wondered if they really fit. Although I don't have anything negative to say about Carter or Bowtie, I can't give em a ringing endorsement when it comes to repop parts fitting properly.

I took the plunge today and ordered the replacement windshield. I will be comparing it with my original once it arrives to check for shape, etc, then will do a quick test fit to see how it fits. I ordered everything but the glass (already had glass cut).

I checked the major suppliers and ended up going with American Classic Truck Parts mainly because of there support of the "bolt". I have not purchased much from them over the years but figured, I would give them a try. All the prices were pretty close so it did not really matter for purposes of price. Along with some other things; there goes another $500 in the Money pit.

It was very pricey, but I figured about the time I roll the dice on e-bay for a replacement or pay to have the repairs (although minor) done to my original, I would not be saving a whole lot (if anything) so let's hope it fits! I'll post photos once I have it.

Tim

p.s.; I did make some calls and of course everybody said of course they fit and they have not had any problems with them. Pretty much what I expected but considering there are no bad stroies about them here, it may be true.

I have my frame painted, reassembled and placed it on the cab yesterday to see how it fit. This one of those reproduction parts I would not hesitate to recommend. It fits real nicely and you can not tell the difference from the original (at least that I can tell).