Just picked up a really nice F3 truck and I am starting to evaluate what needs attention. One of the obvious things is that the windshield looks 'sucked in' and the rubber is pulling away from the body on the outside. I remember reading about certain aftermarket rubber seals that shrink over time and exposure to the sun. Is that what's going on here? The truck will be getting paint next spring and the windshield will be removed at that point and reinstalled. What's the best way to address this?



windshield rubber

 

I had that issue with a brand new glass and rubber from LMC. The new glass was cut too small. I compared to the old glass. Too late to return. Grrr.
Don't know if anyone else had that problem.

 

This is new glass. Installed by the PO so no idea where it came from.

 

I had the same issue with my truck, bought it 16 years ago and it had new glass then, after a while it did the same as yours. Glass was cut to small, during my repaint and new drive train I had a local glass shop make me a new one.

I can be dangerous as it can blow in on your if you are going high speed.

Bryan

 

My bet is the glass was cut too small, probably at a local shop. I'm surprised that Mixer man ended up with a glass that didn't fit. I bought all of my replacement glass from LMC last year along with all new seals. It all fit very well.

 

The bump in the rubber looks to me like a corner that isn't where it is supposed to be (in a corner).

 

Yes. Either the rubber is too small or the glass is too small, or perhaps a combination of both. Perhaps the rubber is the wrong one for this truck? It really does look like that with a stiff breeze on the windshield that it would blow in to the cab.

 

The bump could also be one of those two metal tabs that we all love so much. But, by definition, if that rubber is in place on the glass, the glass is WAY too small.

 

I figured as much but wanted to check before biting the bullet. Shame Dennis Carpenter's doesn't carry glass as they are only about 45 minutes from me and I could lay the windshield I have over a new one.

 

So as mixer man with an F6 and my F3 both have the same issue is it possible that the F2 and up cabs were actually a little different in windshield fit?

 

In a word NO.

 

LMC's glass is Hecho en China... the more likely explanation. I got mine there and it fits fine.

 

My final post on an older thread about my experiences on getting a proper windshield fit. Note that my windshield has the SS trim which makes the windshield installation more challenging and I believe the correct size and shape much more critical. I had my windshield made at a local glass shop and with a correct pattern (from Josh) and would recommend doing it that way.


Quote:
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6"><tbody><tr><td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset currentColor; border-image: none;"> Originally Posted by 49willard
First, thanks to Josh for sending me a pattern that he traced from an original Ford script windshield. It revealed as I thought that my old windshield and the windshield that I used to make the now broken new/old windshield was too small by about 1/4 inch in both height and width. The corner shape was also a bit off. I have had a second windshield made using the pattern from Josh. I had originally bought the rubber that I have been using from Drake (back in 2005!). I called Drake today to see if they originally would have molded that rubber inhouse. The answer was maybe and maybe not. If they had run out of their own at the time, it could have been made by DC. They indicated that they have changed at least the rubber composition and with that the part number has changed. I decided to buy another one in the interest of maximizing my probability of success.
More to follow!


</td></tr></tbody></table>I thought that it is appropriate to update how it all worked out. The second new windshield is correctly sized thanks to Josh for the pattern from an original script windshield. Note that correct size/shape IS really important, particularly for the ss trimmed windshield. Also the difference trying to use the new/old (2005) rubber verses a brand new rubber from Bob Drake which is supposed to have a change in the compound was significant. There was a significant difference in the process of fitting the ss trim into the new drake rubber. Note that my process was rubber on glass first then ss into rubber groove (all but the bottom center and clip). I made a plywood "strongback" and used spring clamps to hold the ss in position as I worked the ss into the rubber groove around the windshield. The strongback which was about 1" larger all the way around the windshield gave me something to clamp to. I had done that when Tom and I had the initial attempt however the plywood was not adaquately flat and that is why I broke the first windshield, the new one that was too small. With the right size/shape windshield and the new rubber gasket, it was very reasonable to get it together. I finally installed the windshield into the cab last week. The corners are not perfect but something that I can live with. One other hint that I would offer is that I used duct tape in multiple locations to help hold rubber to glass and the trim in the groove while installing the assembled windshield, rubber and ss trim in the cab.



__________________

 

Bill thanks for the info.

I guess I'm still at a bit of a loss as to how to make sure I get a windshield glass that actually fits. Sounds like LMC is a bit of a crap shoot. Some have had good luck and some have had windshields that are obviously too small. I guess I could make a pattern and have one cut locally and perhaps that is the way to go.

 

I had my glass cut from the old windshield at a local shop. While researching purchasing a pre cut Mid-Fifty said their glass is cut in SoCal. I believe they are $130 + shipping. Their rubber fit well but it has only been in a short while.