I need to replace my windshield seal and may have to repair any rust damage that could be hiding underneath the rubber. I have purchased new seals for front and rear windows so I am not worried about damaging the old seals.
Any tips on doing this? I want to avoid going into a glass shop because if we find rust then it will take me a while to do the repair properly. I guess I could drive it home without a windshield but with my luck it will either rain or I'll drive through a never ending swarm of insects! . It's been a while since I rode with bugs in my teeth!
I guess I am asking....Is removal and re-installation of the windshield something I should try or is best left to the proffessionals? I don't want to crack my windshield. Has anyone tried this on their own?

 

Removal is easy. Since you don't care about your old seals, I used a pair a pliers and tore out the old seals. Then just push out your windshield. The back window is a little tricky but not too bad. I used a bunch of flat screwdirvers and was careful not to scratch my paint. Just pry out the back window, install your new seal, lube it with soapy water and pry it back in. My glass is pretty thick so I don't think it will break. But don't force it. I still haven't found a cheap windshield, but the glass shops install for free.

 

Whenever they did my windshield they fixed the rust for me. The rust on mine was not very bad and they sanded it off.

 

Last nite I did some poking at the rust i have and its worse than I thought. I have rust along the roof above the drivers door and has eaten through at the top front corner where the the roof meets the windshield. It doesn't seem to go under the windshield seal but I won't know until I get it off. Close enough that I have to remove the seal/windshield.
I think I'll take it out my self and repair the holes. Hopefully I can see the worst of it. Once I have it fixed I think I'll call a windshieild guy to install the seal and windshield at my place. I found out that they do house calls now!
Thanks for the advice .

 

Unless you cut the outer lip of rubber gasket you'll have to remove the windshield and gasket together. When removing the windshield this way you may twist the windshield too much and crack it. Take it slow and remove evenly to avoid putting it in a bind.

 

I just took mine out about 2 weeks ago. I also did not care about damaging the old weather strip. I used a razor knife and cut off the innermost portion of the seal along the top and sides on the inside and it came out easy. And best of all it came out so easy I did'nt even damage the windshield.

 

i am in process of doing my windows and in the procedure of removal from my parts donor truck, i learned of a coupla really nifty tools. one is a tool referred to as 'a cotter pin puller' which is little more than a glorified bent awl. it could probly be made from an old screwdriver or long awl with a tapered but blunt point; bent (square bend) about an inch (+/-) from the tip. if you make it with a little 'side' bend in the middle of that 'inch hook' it is even more useful, but that isnt really a necessity. the second tool was a common heavy (not a flexible blade) scraper with one corner ground on a radius of an inch or so and the other corner still somewhat square. a dull (single side grind) knife edge was ground across the end of the scraper onto the radius and proceded back along the edge of the scraper becoming a somewhat deformed knife. sharp enough to cut with some force applied but not too sharp to keep in your toolbox to scar up everything. (also, still a graet scraper) removing glass with a screwdriver is never a good idea because the concentrated force on a small area will crack the glass in less than a blink of a moment. always have a buddy help with glass; it aint a one-man job. this scraper spreads the force allowing some forgiveness, and the 'bent hook' tool will help remove the plug-lock or the window seal itself when nothing else will do. you'll be glad you have the tools.
good luck-

 

OK..... How about some tips on Windshield installation.

Do you "have" to buy a seal or can one be made out of Silicone or windshield sealer ??

 

No, you have to buy a seal, unlike the newer styles that just glue in, these older trucks the seal holds the windshield in place.

 

The best & easiest way to slit the windshield seal is with a guitar or piano wire.

Each end has wooden dowel to hold on to.

Windshield installers user <> Urethane Sealer <> for a tight strong seal.

 

Cool. Thanks for your reply.

Does the Urethane Sealer take place of a rubber gasket ??

 

No, It is used with it to to secure the integrity of the windshield to body.

 

i forgot to mention... using the tools for removal of window seal and glass; the seal is typically reusable. most times the plug/insert is weathered and needs replaced only for the aesthetic purpose not for mechanical benefit.

 

Now you're refering to the backglass only here correct ???

I replaced the rear single pane backglass with a slider unit and was able to reuse the slider's rubber gasket.

 

If you have new seals and don't care about the old ones. I use a razor knife cutting the inside lip off the rubber seal. then sitting back in the seat put your feet on the glass and gently pushing glass out. When installing glass first put rubber seals around glass. Then on the sides and top tuck a rope (cotton clothes line type)in the grove of the seal that the metal of the window frame goes into. Then sit bottom of glass and seal in place on metal lip of the frame. you want the bottom conners of the seal in place as well. with sides and top of seal and glass resting just outside of where it should be when installed and both ends of rope inside the cab. pull rope strait in zipping inside rubber lip of the seal over metal frame lip and into place. done deal. Make sure you have ample bedding and any sealers aplied to frame before installing glass. This method is a little hard to explain but when used right it makes installing glass on these trucks a zip. Imo the windshield is a little harder than the rear glass. The rear glass installed like this is too easy. Good luck!
Ken,