Winner. This is exactly why it is called a lock strip. Once installed it spreads the rubber gasket out to lock it in place.

The side of my Bronco has moulding, the big stainless trim around the windshield on the earlier trucks used moulding. Late 77's-79 used a lock strip.

The lock strip is 20 bucks at BroncoGraveyard and is not that hard to install with a couple of screwdrivers. If the OP has no lock strip installed in his gasket I can see how it would leak.

 

Ford still calls the 1977-1979 version moulding. Aftermarket term is lock strip.

To-ma-to... to-mah-to...

as for needing to remove the windshield, it depends on the year model. More below...


Actually the windshield needs to be installed, and the weatherstrip needs to be in place before the D7TZ-1003148-A is installed. The moulding originally came in four pieces and requires four metal corner pieces found in D7TZ-10030A42-B and D7TZ-1003122-B respectfully.

Those four metal corner pieces could be mistaken for clips.

It's very similar to the 1977-1992 - D7TZ-1042430-A, flexible plastic moulding for the rear window.

The tool Ranger429 provided a link to pushes the piece in the groove of the weatherstrip, with the window installed.


Now with the older metal type mouldings. 1973-1977 before O80,001 and earlier, the moulding needs to be installed, (according to my book), before the windshield is put into place. The weatherstip, the drawcord, and the moulding are all put into position on the windshield at the same time. Then the windshield is installed on the truck with the drawcord.



There are weatherstrips with and without plastic or metal moulding as already discussed. Most CUSTOM trucks didn't come with moulding. RANGER XLTs would be expected to have them etc... If the weatherstrip does not accept plastic moulding, then obviously moulding isn't required for your weatherstrip to seal properly.


If the weatherstip accepts plastic trim, without the trim piece, the weatherstrip will not seal right an leak like a sieve. That and/or they did not use any sealer.

Rubber Sealer: D6AZ-19563-A or equivalent, is supposed to be applied to the windshield opening flange around the windshield if an old weatherstrip is used. It's good practice anyway...

 

the chrome locking strip will tighten the gasket however it will probably not take care of your leak problem. When they take out an old gasket it will stretch and therefor be looser when re-installed, they can also be a bit brittle and not seat tight against the pinch weld. You have to determine where the leak is coming from, through the glass to gasket seal or the gasket to the pinch weld of the truck. A new gasket will always help and you will want the chrome locking strip installed. you can seal the gasket to the pinch weld using some windshield urethane run it under the gasket to the pinch weld, some clean up will be necessecary. you can also do the same with the gasket to the glass seal, that should take care of any leaks. I installed auto glass for 15 years if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask. Good luck!

 

Exactly what Ford Recommends when using an old seal.

"Rubber Sealer: D6AZ-19563-A or equivalent, is supposed to be applied to the windshield opening flange around the windshield if an old weatherstrip is used. It's good practice anyway..."

Windshield opening flange = Pinch weld ...