I have decided to replace the sliding back glass with a solid glass. The sliding glass has bad seals. Has anyone used a company like Safelite to replace it? Did they do a good job and was the cost reasonable? I have done a search on the website and don't think I want to attempt it myself.

 

It's really not that hard to do. My wife and I did the same swap on both our '95s. Used a nylon-coated clothesline cord for the "rope trick". Dennis Carpenter has a good quality seal/gasket. We got the glass from a junkyard for one truck, and from craigslist on the other. Solid glass is the same piece going all the way back to '73.

I don't see why Safelite wouldn't do a good job, but they specialize in windshields, where leaving it to a professional is really the prudent thing to do, given the sealant that's used and all. But back/side glass is a much simpler affair; even a body or general repair shop should be able to do it competently.

I suspect Safelite would be pretty spendy, since again, it's outside their central specialty. For S&G, my wife got a quote from them to swap in a supercab quarter window, and they wanted close to a grand. And that's entirely a bolt-in procedure, even though it also entails removing the interior panel.

 

Thanks madpogue. I'll have to check around cause I need to get it fixed. Taking up the wife's spot in the garage whenever we have a chance of rain. Definitely not willing to spend a grand or close to it. I've got a roll of duct tape if I have to. Ha. We don't have a lot of wrecking yards in our area but I go to the big city(200 miles) on occasion.

 

I replaced my aftermarke t slider with a new. one a couple of weeks ago.
it's not difficult but you kinda need someone to hold from the outside.

Be aware if you have a factory slider the channel in the window gasket is wider that that for single glass.
if aftermarket, the window is built with a flange to fit the single glazing gasket.

I used pull start cord and old fashioned GoJo hand cleaner for lube.
Paying an auto glass place is way too much $ given how much of the interior comes out

 

Had a glass company come out today and install a solid back glass and new seal. After watching the guys take the old one out and put the new one in, I am glad I didn't try it myself. Even after watching them do it, I wouldn't want to do it. Cost was $220.

 

Thats not too bad, considering the glass is about $50 and the gasket another $35

 

^^^^^ Keyword is "guys" (plural). It's a two-person operation, so +1, that's not bad for labor for two professionals. Not something you want to try solo.

 

I figured they would show me how easy the job was. It took both of them close to 30 minutes to get the old window out, pushing from the inside and pulling from the outside. Putting the new one in wasn't that easy either. They used the "rope trick" but still had a tough time getting it in right. One guy used some kind of tool to get the gasket in just right while the other guy beat on the window with the palm of his hand from the outside. Money well spent IMO.

 

They must not do them often. I typically do them by myself in under 15 min

 

Im thinking about replacing mine also. Any one ever use any type of sealer on the gasket? Was planning on using the old gasket for the solid window.

 

If the gasket is any good it doesn't need sealer.

If it is too stiff it should be replaced

 

They did not use any type of sealer on mine. I believe I've read that you can't put a flat glass in the same seal that was used for the sliding glass. Not sure which you have.

 

Shame ya couldn't pull one at a junk yard. Pulling them out is the hard part. With 90 minutes of drive time, pulling the yard window and my own, and installing the used part... I think I was done in 2 hours. Never did anything like it so it was that much more satisfying.

There is something to be said about watching someone else do the manual labor though. Also satisfying!

 

^^^^ Correct. Outer gasket for fixed glass is different from the one for the slider. New gasket from Dennis Carpenter is reasonable price and OEM-quality.

 

Yeah I paid Safelite $364 to replace a back windshield if my XLT with a solid back windshield and they didn't put a new gasket in it that was Safelite Auto Glass in Waynesville North Carolina