The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 54 windshield in 47-53?

Im working on a 49 suburban and I like the 54 rounded windshield look im wondering has any one modified the windshield area to fit the 54 glass if so did you use a section of 54 cab and weld it into the other cab if sp does dash need any mods too ?

Vendors do offer a one piece windshield if you want to replace the split window.

I'm willing to bet it would be an extremely involved process and would require a lot of metal work and customization to get it to work.

Your best bet is probably this: V-Bent Windshields

I have seen those I prefer the stock 47-53 or the 54 and I know its going to take some metal work was wondering if anyone has done it its kinda on the same lines as turning 3 window into 5

OverHaulin did show on a 52 Chevy truck. When they showed the completed truck, I notice they had installed the "V" bent windshield, but did not cover the conversion in the show. That was the first time I had seen it done or even referenced. Now I know how they did it, windshield is available from vendors. I think the split window is a cool feature of the these trucks and wouldn't get rid of it for anything.

The 54 cab is different, it doesn't have the widows peak in front. You would have to do serious metal work to make it fit.

What's wrong with the 2 piece glass? Kenworth is still using it after all these years.

I talked to a glass installer who custom cut the glass large enough to cover the entire pinch weld area, then glued it on with what they use on modern windshields (no rubber windshield weather seal). For the area where the two pieces meet in the middle, he used a clear sealant (no ss center molding).

I think you guys are correct just way to much work so ill stick with the og 47-53 set up which is fine or find a 54 suburban because I do like the rounded glass lol thanks guys

People used to replace the 2 piece windshield in '49-52 Chevy cars with one piece Oldsmobile. A Google search might bring up info on that to see how it was done.

You're referring to V-butting the windshield. I did the same with my '46. For the center, aquarium seal or marine silicone works great.

Did you use anything to cover the area where the edge of the glass meets the cab at the perimeter?

Its funny but I have been driving these trucks for years and I can get into a 54/55 and then into a 47-53 and not even notice the difference. When I was younger I thought it was a problem, but after a year or so, your eyes wont even see the center post. You'll see!

That was a windshield made up of two curved glasses, a totally different windshield than the 47-53 Pickup which was two flat piece of glass.

To the original poster, yes I have thought about the same thing on my truck. I am building a GM Motorama themed truck and the one piece 54 windshield is just what it needs, but yes it would take EXTENSIVE surgery. Now mind you, I have done extensive surgery including chopping and sectioning the cab and backed off on the one piece windshield idea. Though the truck isn't done and if one of those 54 cabs or windshield area comes along I may just go for it. But as of right now, it is just too much than I care to get into to for the amount of change I will get in return.


Brian

This is one of the reasons I am not going to do it to mine. It isn't so much as being "Better" to drive or anything like that, I'll work my butt off for what ever reason. But to tell you the truth I want the divider in the windshield being that is how I drove it so many miles as a kid (I got the truck when I was 15) and I don't want to change that feeling when I am driving it.

Brian

Yes, of course. Any local glass shop carries an "S-10 style" windshield rubber. Some go between the glass and the metal, and just urethane in. Mine had a moulded part so that it held on to the edge of the windshield, so you put it on before you actually put the windshield in the truck. They're available in different widths and work out great.

On the inside to fill the gap where the original frame would have fit, I used foam tape. Very clean install.

Cletis, the '49-'52 Chevy window glass was curved and matched the shape of the Olds glass. The only difference was the Chevy glass was split.