The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Windshield trouble -- Where can you order one?

Howdy folks...

Man what a time I have had getting a front windshield replaced in my truck. I first went to the national company Safelite and scheduled the install on their web form. Well it looked like all was set for 192 + 27 for a new rubber I would have a new front windshield first thing in the morning. They were going to show up at my home. I was very happy. Well these dudes called me that next day and told me that it would take 2 men to install this front windshield and that I would need to bring it in to get that thing installed. Well at the time.. I could not get off work that day to run the truck the 40 mile trip it took to get the windshield installed. So, I decided to call a local body shop and the guy told me he could install it just give him a day ahead and he would be able to install it the next day. for 185. That would be even better but I would still have to haul it 15 miles or so. Well I thought that would be ok. Well I take my beloved truck down to his shop after confirming yesterday that he could install it. So I get there early this morning and unload my beloved truck at the shop. "beloved tuck" (you know the one that I have been working on sense 1991).... Well she sits out there all day in front of the place and most of the time no one was around. If anyone had thought my truck was cool and wanted it for your self today was your lucky day... After I went back by at 3:20 day and it was still not done, I loaded the tuck up and took it home.....

So that was the only folks I know.. So back to Safelite... Well called them today talk to someone at the 800 number and got it all setup again to come out to my home and replace the glass. I told the guy there must be some deal because last time the local folks said it was a 2 man job and took all day. He said that is not a 2 man job and there should not be any problems doing that at your home. He called and confirmed that it could be done here at my home once again... I am like great maybe it was just a fluke the first time around. He said someone would call and confirm my info and if I did not hear from them for me to call them. So no one called me back so I call back into and then get in touch with the local folks (40 miles away).. Not really local... Now I talk to this person and they tell me that there is a 200 crate charge and then some other 200 shipping charge. I am like the website said 192 and then the guy on the phone said 192.. How could that be? Oh yeah.. now it takes 3 men to install one.. So not it is 200 + 200 + 192? She was going to verify and call me back... Never called me back.. I am guessing they won't... I am always really nice and sweet to people...

So that is unreal what I am going through dealing with these folks.... So now I figure I can just install the windshield myself. Surely if it takes 3 of those men, me and my 6 year old son can install it. My dad and I installed the old one that I took out as well as installed the one in his 60.

Do you guy have any experience with getting glass from LMC, Classic Parts etc....?

Looks like I am out of options here.... Got any suggestions on getting this done? I have lost a day today dealing with folks that really do not want do help.

Just a quick check of your area yellow pages reveals a couple dozen auto glass shops in the Greenville area that aren't a franchise like safelite. That's your 40 mile area you refer to I guess. I'd call around or visit first hand before making an appointment.It's time consuming, but might be worth it in the long run.The glass pretty much all originates from the same manufacturerers anyway, so where you buy it probably doesn't matter except for shipping time.

Apparently these guys are not very experienced. The 2-3 man issue comes in with the 60-63 windshield. They are a true nightmare to install. The normal procedure doesn't work all that well on these models. And by normal I mean install the gasket on the glass, insert rope in the pinch-weld channel, set the bottom of the assembly on the pinch weld and start working the rope around the perimeter. The problem is when the glass is set near the pinch weld, the legs of the glass get in the way, and the top of the glass bumps into the lip of the roof and won't lay back against the cavity. It all needs to be laid in flat against the perimeter and the gasket lip pulled over the pinch weld, while it is still to far away to reach. This is why it takes so much effort (and 2 or 3 people).

For a 64-66, the windwhield should be much simpler. If you've ever done one before it should be straight forward.

I would recommend shopping for a Pilkington brand windshield. I believe it is only available with a light tint. Avoid the cheap windshields with the large blend band at the top, for two reasons. The glass is thinner than stock and has a reputation for leaking, since the glass is too thin and doesn't fit tight in the gasket groove. Also, the blended band is too tall, and the line of sight from the drivers seat is right through the shaded area. I bought one of these years ago, and after I found out about the problems I gave it away. I don't remember for sure, but I think it was made in Argentina or Paraguay.

ok. so ive got a 62...and a new windshield waiting to go in, but no gasket yet & not confident in my own skills to do it...(broken glass:big$$$)im in southern nm. anybody know of shops i can take it to, to get it installed? oh, and where to get gasket

60-63 windshields are a bear to put in, I would look for a restoration place ( not a body shop )you will pay more but like the one I had years ago they won't bust the windshield or scratch the paint like a standard body shop did to me, most of those guys know what they know and thats glue and stick windshields or have done small gasket windshields, same with glass shops, but a restoration shop has the experience putting in gasket glass, as markeb talked about be sure to tell them about the pinch weld area to help them out a little, I would like to have seen them put these in at the factory!

ctr, tods advice is good. You somehow need to find someone that actually worked on these trucks back in the day. Or else a superman of a glassguy that has done it all. Call a high end hotrod shop and ask who they use. The gasket should probably be from Steele. The standard stuff from LMC and Carter's may or may not be OK. But from Steele, you'll know it's right. Are you putting chrome/Stainless trim around the windshield? If so, you want plan on several hours of cussing from the experts. Good Luck.

I had my 62 done a couple years ago and they put it in less that two hours. They orignaly came with PPG. glass which I chose to put in but LOF. makes them along with Gaurdian. All for the same price too. You could of got it tinted or shaded which ever you prefered.
I called around and had estimates from $1000.00 to $450.00 for the glass alone depending which glass company you talked to. The Gasket at the time was $15.00.
So buyer beware.
62Blue
Don

CTR I put my new windshield in my '63 by myself. Took me 2hrs,but I got it in. Just have to work slow and use a couple of ratchet straps to help put a little pressure on the top and bottom of the glass. I couldn't get anyone to put it in for me since I bought it myself through Brother's. They didn't want to have to replace it if they broke it. I used the rope in the pinch weld groove and WD-40. I also sealed it with polyuathane. By the way my windshield was about $450 with shipping! I think I got my seal from chevy-duty.

Good news guys... I got in touch with a place called the Glass Doctor up in Greenville SC and they came out there and put one in for 200. They did say the could get me the glass to and deliver it but for 200$ I just had them install it...

There were 2 of them and it took them all of 10 min to actually install the glass. The set the rubber, sprayed it with some lube.. and the one guy pushed and slapped the glass while the other dude pulled the rope... It was really fast. And, Mark, I think it was a Pilkington brand too. That is what the sticker had on it... It looks great and I am super happy. The one dude that did the rope pulling said he can put one by himself but they wanted to come see the truck. ...

So a three man job my foot.. That other company was trying to pull something on me.

Thanks for letting me vent and being there to help.. I really appreciate all of you that respond to my posts.

That's great Michael1964. Glad to hear that someone could install it for you because mine was a pain to put in by myself.