Midfifty curved solid side glass
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
Midfifty curved solid side glass
so I spent most of today trying to get my driver side window in... with no success. I’m using the factory regulators with the extended lift chanels and my God is this a pita.
I cut a yard stick down to 29-1/4 and I’m using it to measure the Chanel width, I’m close but I think I still need to open it up more. Also it looks like the glass is trying to jump out of the felt in the locking side... also the glass stops about a 1/2” short of fully closing, and pointers on how to tackle this bear of a task?
I cut a yard stick down to 29-1/4 and I’m using it to measure the Chanel width, I’m close but I think I still need to open it up more. Also it looks like the glass is trying to jump out of the felt in the locking side... also the glass stops about a 1/2” short of fully closing, and pointers on how to tackle this bear of a task?
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 322
Likes: 45
From: La Center WA
First thing what mid fifty ford had curved side glass? They should all be flat.Next is make sure the glass channels are on correctly. They should be centered on the glass.If they are off the edge of the glass they will hang up on the vertical runs or catch something underneath on the way up. The glass run should be a tight hammer on fit to the window. You put the glass on edge of a cloth covered 2x6(what I used) bottom up with the packing tape over the bottom edge of the glass. The bottom run would then be lightly hammered over the tape.Shoulg be a very tight fit. Remember to use a rubber or plastic hammer.I did this on my 52F1, cleaned and lubed the regulators,new fuzzies,and so on. They roll up and down almost effortlessly just like new. Did you have the glass cut to your pattern or buy a kit? To relieve the stiffness a bit roll the windows all the way down,get a piece of wood 1/4” thick by 2x12, slide it into the vertical glass channel and give the board a few hard whacks. Front and back. If this doesn’t make the windows glide then they are cut too wide.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
I bought the solid side window kit from midfifty.com. They are curved and dint seem to fit, I called midfifty and they said most ppl use power windows with this setup but it should work for manual regulators too...
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 322
Likes: 45
From: La Center WA
Glass
I guess I’m not understanding what year truck you’re working on. I know up to 56 anyway all side glass is flat no curve at all. If they sent you curved glass then it’s the wrong kit. Only the front windshield would have a curve in it. You lay your side windows on the table and they should be flat as a pancake.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
You seem to be trying to deal with too many issues at once.
First, remove the window mechanism from the equation. With the glass inserted in the window channel will it move freely? The glass should be able to move up and down the full height of the channel. At the top the glass should fit snugly into the upper door channel. If this is not the case then find out why and correct that problem.
Second, now that the glass is moving freely in the channel and it is no longer part of the problem, reinstall the window winder mechanism. The mechanism should be able to move the glass all the way up in the channel and all the way down in the channel. The mechanism should also be able to hold the lower edge of the glass horizontal throughout the full range of motion top to bottom. If the mechanism does not move all the way up and all the way down or it allows the glass to rock back and forth then it is too worn to work reliably and should be replaced.
Solid side windows on slant cabs are a bit more tricky than those of the 56 because of the slant in the "A" pillar. This slant makes the leading edge of the glass have a very small vertical section...this smaller section means that there is less glass to fit into the forward window channel and makes it easier for the glass to bind if all the other factors in the system are not working correctly. Hope this helps, good luck.
First, remove the window mechanism from the equation. With the glass inserted in the window channel will it move freely? The glass should be able to move up and down the full height of the channel. At the top the glass should fit snugly into the upper door channel. If this is not the case then find out why and correct that problem.
Second, now that the glass is moving freely in the channel and it is no longer part of the problem, reinstall the window winder mechanism. The mechanism should be able to move the glass all the way up in the channel and all the way down in the channel. The mechanism should also be able to hold the lower edge of the glass horizontal throughout the full range of motion top to bottom. If the mechanism does not move all the way up and all the way down or it allows the glass to rock back and forth then it is too worn to work reliably and should be replaced.
Solid side windows on slant cabs are a bit more tricky than those of the 56 because of the slant in the "A" pillar. This slant makes the leading edge of the glass have a very small vertical section...this smaller section means that there is less glass to fit into the forward window channel and makes it easier for the glass to bind if all the other factors in the system are not working correctly. Hope this helps, good luck.
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,918
Likes: 1,051
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Mid 50 DOES indeed sell curved glass for 53-56 trucks... the curve is from front to back not top to bottom. the original glass is flat from door lock end to division bar... but look closely... the vent window kicks in toward the cab... just a little. You do have to remove the tabs inside the channel track and cut away part of the inner door panel over the top hinge (that's inside the door, not the inner door panel skin. Installation is a little tedious. I had a good bit of trouble getting smooth slide in the channels.. I spread the channels slightly with a 1/4" wooden dowel. Alignment is critical go get the glass to operate smoothly. Lube the felt channels with silicon or teflon grease also.
I used electric lifts and getting them square and plumb is a tricky thing but worth it... Several companies sell them and Mid-50 markets one of those under their label...
https://jniolon.classicpickup.com/windows.m4v
john
I used electric lifts and getting them square and plumb is a tricky thing but worth it... Several companies sell them and Mid-50 markets one of those under their label...
https://jniolon.classicpickup.com/windows.m4v
john
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 322
Likes: 45
From: La Center WA
I see now that Jake is getting rid of the wing windows. I thought he was putting curved glass in the original flat glass position. Divider bar has to go and felt u channel has to go from the lower rear vertical channel all the way up and over to the bottom of the forward vertical channel.
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old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,918
Likes: 1,051
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
I see now that Jake is getting rid of the wing windows. I thought he was putting curved glass in the original flat glass position. Divider bar has to go and felt u channel has to go from the lower rear vertical channel all the way up and over to the bottom of the forward vertical channel.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
Thanks for the tips, when I get back in town I’ll try to get the drivers side working. I think you’re right, I’m trying to fix too many issues at once.
Ill probably need to widen the opening s good bit...
Ill probably need to widen the opening s good bit...
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