can the windshield be removed without cutting the seal and how?

 

How?.... carefully.

I'd rather buy a new seal than a new windshield. Don't be 'penny-wise and pound foolish'.

Good luck.

 

+ 1.

Trust me if that seal have been in there more then a year or so it's hard as a rock. Pony up and buy a new seal. It will also give you the chance to fix any flaws on the window opening flange. Most of the time there are burs, and sheet metal hooks left over from the spot welding.

 

I've seen professional shops do it on a gasketed windshield... the couple of times I have done it I used a utility knife for removal. As posted, better than breaking the windshield and likely needed anyhow to seal after getting disturbed.

 

I did two this past weekend, a 69 in the junk yard pulled the wind shield saved the gasket and tree used it on my 77. Pulled the 77s cause I'm going to use it in my 79.

I caused one new Crack in the 77s windshield.

But the 69 i pulled i didn't Crack or chip any of it. Saved the gasket and was able to re use it with no leaks.

What I did was used 3 flat heads start on the side and pry the gasket up with two of the flat heads then use the third to push it behind the metal lip. I did all of this from the inside. I didn't touch the bottom, did drivers side, top the passenger then lifted it out.

The 69's gasket was very pliable still, the wind shield was perfect!!!

Oh and did i mention I got it for black Friday with military discount price at a wopping $10

It was pretty sweet!

Don't get me wrong, I'm probably going to change the gasket later just didn't have the money or time to wait for one now. It went so easy I don't really mind pulling it later.

My grandpa owns a body shop gave me some pointers about installing starting with the top and the gasket taped on. Used weedeater line to pop it over the lip.

But yes to answer your question it can be done. But if the gasket is hard at all you are better off cutting it cause you will probably crack the glass.

I wish i would have cut the 77's would have saved me a Crack, there were 2 now there is 3.

 

The short answer is YES, with care the windshield can be removed without damaging the gasket, but....

There are at least three different gaskets used on our trucks. One, usually found on the low line trucks of all years, doesn't have any bright trim around the windshield. Another has the wide stainless trim surrounding the windshield. Ford quit using this gasket in '74-'75, I believe. Trying to save either of these gaskets is risky. As others have posted, the odds are pretty good you will damage the windshield if your truck has either of these gaskets. The last I checked new gaskets were a lot less expensive than new windshields.

However...In about '75 Ford changed the windshield gasket design. The later trucks use a plastic lock bead (usually chrome) that locks the windshield into the gasket, from the outside. By removing this lock bead the windshield will lift out of the gasket without issue. There is a special tool glass people use to reinstall this lock bead. My '78 has this type of gasket. The last time I had a new windshield installed, it took the installer all of 15 minutes, start to finish, using the existing gasket.

Hope this helps.