The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Converting 3 to 5 window cabs -- aftermarket parts

As someone brand new to trucks (my eBay purchase will be shipped soon) and to these forums, I first searched the archives on the conversion. WallyBody has an amazing series on this but I found that Car Parts Discount has aftermarket panels, pricey but no rust. Does anyone have any experience working with them -- either Car Parts Discount or with the panels themselves?
Hilary Smith, Northern Virginia

Used parts are fine,the sections used all small and easily cleaned up with a sandblaster.
I was able to buy the pieces with the glass for $150.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Wally

Hi

This topic was covered fairly well on "TRUCKs!" on the TV show.
Here is the episode:

http://www.powerblocktv.com/site3/index.php/trucks-episodes?ep_num=TK2010-09&ep_sea=1001

You can also download the video on iTunes for $1.99.

Shows how to convert 3 to 5 window using the replacement panels. Process should be fairly similar whether using cut out used ones or the new replacements.

mike

I studied WallyBody's pictures for a long time before I cut into mine. I also bought used parts for mine - they needed a little rust repair around the tops of the windows before I started but since I was welding anyway I didn't let it bother me too much. It turned out really nice, and I haven't spread any filler on it yet.

Here's the pics of mine, starting at the bottom of page 3:
build thread including 5 window conversion

Do you grind the edges of the opening down? How about grinding the new parts edges too? Thanks

Not sure what you meant by grinding the edges down. My new parts were bead blasted before I started and the cab was stripped to bare metal. I spent a lot of time fitting the window surrounds, and then butt welded them in. I tried to keep the seam as close as practical to the window frame to minimize distortion.

I thought that maybe you did the overlap method for putting your windows in. I believe Wally Body did the overlap. I fear trying to butt weld since I'm new to metal work . I've done lots of woodworking but metal scares me. Thanks