The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Does this sound strange at all?

Hi all - well I have this little glass problem. I had ordered all the glass for the 53 GMC 3 ton, being under the assumption that the cabs are all the same. The wing and door glass went in fine. Couldn't get the back or windshield to go in. After closer examination original glass was far different than the new stuff. Kind of the right shape but not really and much bigger in some spots. Broke 1 side of the windshield trying to get it in and then decided to call company about it. They asked me to send the pieces back and to make a template of my original glass and send it along with it so they could check it out and send out new pieces. Well I spoke with them yesterday and was told that the pcs. I returned were correct for that year, or at least the template they have for that year, so the problem was on my end. It seems that the templates of the originals were not close to what they have??? Something must have happened to the cab he says. But we took the paint down to metal and there were no visible signs of any kind of damage repair. Ok, he then says that he has seen 1 or 2 instances where it was the manufacturing of the cab to blame??? Bad day at the welder? Lovely. I was hoping that we wouldnt have to go the custom route, but I suppose thats the only option. Found a place here locally that comes out and does glass for tractors and such on the jobsite. Said they will take a look at them and it should be no problem. Keeping my fingers crossed. Anyone else ever had this happen?

What series GMC do you have? If it is the "fat cab", about all you can do is get one cut. If if it a regular cab, the glass was probably not cut correctly. I run a fleet of Internationals and from 1972 until mid year 2000 they used the same flat glass. We kept spares in stock. Quite often we had misfits that we had to send back. I would have a hard time believing that something happened to the cab or it was a manufacturing defect. I doubt that GM would have made a custom glass for a misfit cab.

I've never ordered any glass. I've always took my old glass to the local glass shops, & had it cut to the spec's of the old glass. You should be fine doing it this way. Just a note, it's not the easiest job getting that glass in. I've installed it several times, on several trucks, & it never was easy. The rubber has to be as close to correct as possible also. I've also noticed the new glass is alittle thicker, than the old glass, in my instances.

Hy OVRTRQD, according to my Canadian parts book there are eight different part numbers listed for windshield glass from 1947 - 53. They are differentiated by "block sizes" A through F, and "block sizes" DR and ER, they all list the size as being 16" X 28", I hope that explains something of why the glass they sent didn't fit. I'm with "spanky" on this, get your glass cut to fit your templates, good luck!

It's a 455-30. Fat cab? I didn't know about that one.

I too noticed the glass was a little thicker. So am I going to have to worry about the windshield rubber? I already ordered it. Won't it be for the size of the pieces I sent back? I mean, it fits well in the opening but if the original glass is smaller, wont it make a difference?

I think the fat cab started with the 600 series. A 450 should use the same as a pickup. Having the correct rubber is important. In my opinion, Steele makes the best rubber. And as Spanky says, its not easy. Experienced installers make it look easy.

I look forward to the challenge. I am still wondering why it could be so much different - not going to think on it too much. Hopefully this glass company can help me out (for a decent price anyway).
You all are always the wealth of good, correct information, thanks so much!

Kenneth, the "Fat Cab" conventionals were the 700, 800, & 900 series. The "Fat Cab" COE's were the 500, 600, 700, 800, & 900 series.

I would say that the glass & the cab are ok. I had the same problem I broke one trying to get them in. I reordered the glass & called a buddy of mine that owns a glass shop in a local town & he came to the house & installed all the glass & made it look easy. What I noticed he did while watching him is he set all the rubber out in the sun to warm it up. Then he made it look so easy with rope. When he got done he smarted off saying to leave the glass to a glass guy..... I had to laugh. But he was right he does it all the time & I don't. So needless to say He will be doing my next truck (1948 GMC) in a few weeks.....Hope this helps

Oh by the way the $150 he charged me to install all the glass in my 1953 chevy 5 window cab was worth every penny. Should of had him do it in the first place. Later