The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Windshield Self-Installation Advice Wanted

I went to Binswanger yesterday, to get a quote on all 6 pieces of glass on my truck. As expected, nothing showed up in the computer, but the lady called their supplier and said they could get me a windshield (#DW 407) for $76.16. The price would increase to $190 if they installed it.

I have a spare new gasket tucked away in my workshop. It hasn't been out of the box for 18 months. The only thing I know about installing a windshield is what I've read on Stovebolt, such as using the rope/cord in the channel, then pulling it out and using nothing more than palm whacks to move things into place.
I'm figuring for $76.16, I ought to just try it myself.

Should I try this, or in the end, would I just have paid 76 bucks to learn to leave this to professionals?

Should I/Can I use the gasket I already have? Would I be throwing good money after bad if I bought a Steele gasket and ended up botching the job anyway? I'm thinking if the gasket I have leaks after a year, then I could do a reinstall with a Steele gasket later, having all of this experience under my belt and all. Right now I have gaps in the rock-hard gasket, so I wouldn't be any worse off PLUS I'd have a clean windshield. (My truck normally isn't driven in the rain.)

Constructive comments appreciated,
Bill

Hi Bill, is the $190 installed price just for the windshield?
It seems a bit steep!
The one good thing is if they (mess it up) you have some comeback!
Do the job once and do it right, personally I would go the extra mile and get a Steele rubber.Why install it with an inferior gasket just to do it again in a years time or less.
It's easy for me to say have a go yourself as I do this for a living.
T.F. trucks can be tricky due to the wrap round corners.
If you do decide to have a go,commandere an extra pair of hands as you will need help.
The biggest concern is you crack your new glass,and then you're back to square one!
I'm not trying to scare you but if your not confident about tackling the job,it might be prudent to bite the bullet and get the pros in.
I still think the installed price is a bit severe though.
Good luck
Jock

First I'd make a few phone calls, check prices and installation cost at other shops in your area. Your new gasket should be OK, if you've purchased it from a reputable vender. Remember if the glass installer breaks the glass it comes out of his pocket. The other note I'd like to make is $76.16 for a curved windshield sounds kinda "cheap" and $110.00 to install seems kinda high. Actually if you turn it around it don't seem like a bad price at all???

If you do it yourself, do it outside in the sun on a warm day. This will help the gasket stay pliable. Take your time, use the right tools and only slap the windshield with a flat hand. Don't scrape the edges of the windshiled with your tools and don't pry on it. 2 people works best, but keep your eye on your partner if they don't have experience. Better conservative and time consuming than aggressive and in a hurry.

having installed a couple used windshields in TF trucks, I'd have a shop do a new one - as said, if they break it they take the loss, and the with odd shape you can be sure the replacement glass won't be a perfect match for the opening of a 50 year old truck .... see the shop manual about "pre-checks" on a windshield fitting the opening ... also for the slapping, stay away from the edges, even the slightest defect in the glass edge will result in a crack

Bill

Thanks to you all for weighing in.

Jock- The $190 is for an installed windshield only. No other glass work. It includes the glass, but today the guy said I should provide the gasket since I was steering him toward Steele. He said the glass is probably Chinese, but until he does more checks, there is a chance it is PPG. At the price he's offering, I doubt it is domestic.

Yakima- I was going to get a couple more quotes, but I felt comfortable that I won't find a cheaper glass. Installation cost is a different story!

Bill- Good point about the mismatch due to years. I think you tipped the scales towards letting the pros do it. If you've installed them before and recommend a pro doing it, that settles it. I think if this was some year besides TF, I might be more inclined to try it, but with these severe curves, I can see I'm fighting this on many axes at the same time. Not much forgiveness, and I'd need it.

Thanks for the insight. Jock, I wish there were fewer miles and less ocean between us. I'd really like to watch you do the install.

One last thing: he said for the rest of the glass it is priced per square foot. He cuts it at the shop, and would use the existing glass as the template. This sounds like a reasonable approach, and I'm guessing priced competitively.

Bill

Happy to advise, I have 15 years glass experience.

First, use your new gaskets. old gaskets are stiff and shrunken, only held in the "open" position by the glass that is in them.

Examine the new gaskets. In most cases, they are simple gaskets with a single lip. Sometimes there is a second thinner flap on the inside face. You must tuck the 2nd lip under the outer before inserting the pull rope. Be sure which side faces out.

Apply the gasket to the glass. Make sure the out side is facing out. Make sure the seam is centered at the bottom, hard thing to do since you need to start by inserting the glass at each corner.

Install the rope. Get 3 feet longer than you need, about 1/4in nylon braid. Start at the center of the bottom and tuck the rope into the gasket, and end at the center with the ends crossed. If the gasket has double lips, it is time to tease the 2nd lip out.

Lubrication. Silicone spray is the installers choice, but a very soapy soap/water solution can do. Lube the gasket, lube the pinchweld [lip the gasket fits to]

Get a friend. A professional can solo it, but you shouldnt try.

Place the window in the opening, and do not try to slide the bottom on in advance, just lay it in the hole. Have your friend put gentle downward force at the center bottom while resting a hand at the center top. As your start to pull both ropes, the glasss and gasket may want to rise out of the car. allow it to happen slightly at the bottom of the glass, but not at the top.

Once you have pulled the crossed lines inside, pick which direction to go. Pull the line at an angle that the rope doesnt cut the rubber, and move on around. If the inner lip doesnt want to stay wrapped aound the pinchweld, a few light slaps might be needed there.

REMOVE ANY RINGS!

When you have pulled the rope completely around, step out and have a look. Are there any areas where the exterior lip looks pulled under. Ease them out with a dull, slender hook shaped tool as you gently slap it in {Mac tools has the best hook, just dull it!} Add more lube if need be.

Slapping the glass....the glass is stronger than you think, but that doesnt mean get ham-handed, so be careful.

Still doesnt want to seat? Sometimes you have to seat the inner lip by pulling it onto the pinchweld from the inside.



Or, look for an installer on the way out of the glass shop, and make them an offer. More often than not, they will take it.

Wise words Ob1........

Especially the REMOVE RINGS!

I'm not a fan of silicone though.(just my opinion)

Bill I would love to do the install...but I've said on other posts you would'nt like my 'call out' charge!

Great idea about getting one of the guys to do it as a home job...every man has his price.

Ob1, that is some excellent advice. I didn't think of the moonlighting route. Another thing to consider...

Bill

I don't see any mention of sealant in the grooves of the gasket. I think I remember reading about sealant in the installation manual. I don't have it handy. I had a "reputable shop" install my glass with a new Steele gasket and they mucked it up pretty good. The first time it rained got my feet wet! :mad: I am planning to try it myself next time.

When I did mine, I used a couple of 2" suction cups on the outside of the glass. They are the kind that are activated with a moving handle. On my AD, the glass is flat and it wouldn't withstand much of a thump.

With a clean, smooth rust-free pinchweld surface, a proper sized glass and the proper gasket, most vehicles dont need sealant. I found the only vehicle that needed sealant EVERY time was the Ford Mustangs.

On the occasion that they did, it was much easier to apply after the fact. Those Mustangs got really messy.

For a sealant I suggest an automotive urethane, and be sure to have the proper cleaner handy. Post install leaks? Spray bottle with soapy water on the outside and high pressure air on the inside, look for bubbles {glass side and body side}

Found a leak? Use the high pressure air to COMPLETELY dry the glass, body and rubber. Urethane cures with humidity, so a wet surface is a no-no. Cut a fine tip on the nozzle and apply as needed. Give it a mash to push out the excess and clean up. A single edge razor and a paper towel to wipe it on is great on the glass side.

Rubber gloves are nice too.

No sealant is necessary. My 40 yr experienced guy in old windshields now says if he breaks it, you buy a new one. He says too much Chinese rubber and glass. I put it in myself. Rope trick. Bobs Classic Auto glass, no shipping usually there is a Pilkington (was LOF) in your area to pick up. Bob is a great guy. Use nothing but Steele (Bob orders at discount to you) Tried twice to put top in first but would not go, I put bottom in first and it went. I think I got caught in a tolerance trap, Large windshield with small opening. Must get a suction cup at harbor freight and lots of soap. Install rubber on truck and leave in sun for a day or two, tape in on in a few spots if necessary. Centering is the most importatnt thing and is not a easy as you think. You can get pretty far before you finally realize it is not quite centered. A pro knows all this I guess, just giving a non pro's experience. Steele is not Chinese and I don't think my glass was. Getting the Stainless trim in is another story.I don't believe you can get a windshield for $76, If you can I will eat my brake pedal pad. It's $225 and on up, plus install for "good" glass, most are Chinese, most are not good glass. Call Bob's Auto Glass, he is on Ebay also.

I've had 3 windshilds installed here at the house, and decided after trying(and failing the first time)it was cheaper to let the pro's do it. As others have said, if something goes wrong,(and it will)they can make it right...on their dime, not your's. Spend the money you save on something else you've been wanting to buy for your truck.
Tramp

I have done plenty of windshield over the years. But I had a 49 4rd, flat glass, piece of cake right? Nope something was not quite right, I broke 3 before I took it to a glass installer and they broke one. You just never know. I agree the price sounds a bit high, make sure they are not charging for a gasket with the install. I would check around for pricing either way.