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I have one, been there done that. get a professional to do it..
You have to put the gasket on the glass, install the molding and rope it all in without it falling apart or screwing it up. I helped him put it in and it was a fight the whole way.
Some gaskets are better than others. I had the Precision brand which is supposed to be good. this time I'm trying the USA made one which should be better but I've heard it's not.
Any tips or pointers on installing a new windshield seal? It’s a ‘76 with wide chrome trim.
The chrome trim is even worse to install as I believe or have been told that it goes on first as well then as stated above seal goes on around windshield an installed in such away its a fight , I had a professional do my front as if he breaks it its on them and its guaranteed not to leak and installation an windshield cost was reasonable , think around $300 ? could have been a little less but was worth every penny,,I did the rear window myself and it was bad enough , I may have attempted front if I was a young man again but its not for the faint of heart
x2, I just did this and it was the hardest thing I've done on my truck. Pay a pro. It is well worth the money to have someone else be frustrated.
If you absolutely must do it yourself.... lay the new glass down on something you can either rotate or walk around with ease, get the new seal warm in the sun then put it on the windshield a little at a time putting tape down every few inches to keep it on, put the rope in the seal with the two ends meeting at the top, put the molding in using tape every few inches to keep it from popping out (I used a little soap on the back of the molding to help it slide). Then install it. I'd recommend having AT LEAST 4 people, 2 on the outside pushing the glass in, 2 on the inside pulling the rope with suction cup handles pulling inwards.
There is a good thread with pics on how to tape everything up. The more tape the better. Don't do it though... hire a pro, listen to what 440 is saying.
Here's a couple links for reading. You'll find others if you search. Its no picnic like the others said. If I had to do another, I probably would because now I have the tools and some experience. I've done concourse nut and bolt restorations but had never had to do a glass install with this type of seal and trim before I did mine. It was one of the most challenging things I've done first time around. I am in sync with the others and say pay a pro to do it unless you are into inflicting punishment on yourself.
If you insist on installing: Copius amounts of soapy water lubricant on seal and pinch weld. DO NOT use any type of lube when installing the stainless trim in the seal. It will be tough to get fully inserted and you'll need some plastic trim tools to assist. I used a cheap assortment from harbor freight which worked along with a flat blade screwdriver with the tip rounded and smooth off to avoid tearing the rubber. Lube will help the trim go in but makes it fall out easy during the installation and you don't want that. I put my seal on the glass then the trim on the seal but have read where the trim should go on seal first then put seal on glass. Trim must be on before assembly is installed in truck. You will need a good work table or suitable padded stands to rest the glass on while working with it. 2 people really helps but I did mine solo. You get to a point at top corners where it looks like it will never go in but keep patience. Did I mention use lots of lube.Start setting glass/seal at bottom pinch weld in center and work outward in both directions. Need good suction cups as shown in second link. Put center marks on glass and line up with center on truck. If glass is not centered in opening, you will be screwed when you to get to the sides and have to start over. I used strong nylon cord in the seal I think 1/8 diameter. In addition to pulling the rope to pull seal over lip inside, you will also need the assistance of plastic trim tools in places. I'm probably forgetting some things.
x2, I just did this and it was the hardest thing I've done on my truck. Pay a pro. It is well worth the money to have someone else be frustrated.
If you absolutely must do it yourself.... lay the new glass down on something you can either rotate or walk around with ease, get the new seal warm in the sun then put it on the windshield a little at a time putting tape down every few inches to keep it on, put the rope in the seal with the two ends meeting at the top, put the molding in using tape every few inches to keep it from popping out (I used a little soap on the back of the molding to help it slide). Then install it. I'd recommend having AT LEAST 4 people, 2 on the outside pushing the glass in, 2 on the inside pulling the rope with suction cup handles pulling inwards.
There is a good thread with pics on how to tape everything up. The more tape the better. Don't do it though... hire a pro, listen to what 440 is saying.
I think you were pretty close with the soap but you need to soak the cotton thick string in liquid soap also before putting it in the rubber.
It is the soap that helps the rubber and string work together to pull the rubber over the pinch weld.
I have not done a front glass on one of your trucks but have done them on different older cars.
I did the rear glass on my 81 F100 by myself and did not think it was all that hard and I reused to old rubber because I want to use the new one for a slider when I get one.
The front glass on the 81 gets sealed with Butyl tape like the factory did, not the glue that is used on the new stuff today, and I also did that myself.
Dave ----
Well thanks to everyone for the replies, but I went to install the windshield today and it appears the seal is to big. I bought it from Dennis Carpenter, going to try to send back and try another seal. Anyone know where to get a better seal for these trucks?
If it's a rubber seal it will contract with heat. They all seem too big, but once you get everything in there, tapping every couple of inches as you go, set it out in the sun or use a heat gun. I got mine from Steele Rubber.
I laid in the hot sun before trying to install it and was really big, tried the freezer and was closer Tried laying in the sun and got hot it was way big , tried the freezer and was closer but just not fitting
Wow, that's awful. . The gasket should have to be streched onto the glass.
I used a Precision brand gasket last time and it worked but I wasn't thrilled with it. I bought a US made one and I was hoping it was better but now you have me doubting it.
I got mine from DC and it was fine. Stretched just slightly towards end to get on glass. Make sure you are NOT stretching it at all as you start out and go along as it tends to stick to the glass and not contract. There is a natural tendency to pull on it slightly when putting on glass. Just a wee bit of stretch along the way will cause excess when you get to end. Otherwise, perhaps it is defective.
I watched two really good pro's install windshields in three of my vehicles a couple years ago. Jeep JK, Dodge Ram, and my Dent. They zipped through the Jeep and Dodge in minutes. Then I watched them fight with that Dentside glass for an hour. I sure as hec won't ever attempt that task.
Have had a few windshields installed. Newer ones are a piece of cake and I would have no worries doing one. Helped the pro install my Spitfire windshield (same design as the Ford, glass into a tight gasket) and we struggled. I'll take one out but like roofing, some things are just better off being paid for. Just my cowardly $.02.
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