I need to replace the front windshield glass on my '76 F100. I have seen a glass guy replace my rear window and it didn't look that difficult. He used some soap and a piece of thin rope to get it out. He coated the rope in soap, then pushed the rope between the rubber gasket and the glass to get it started, and then he used the rope to get free the edge of the glass from the little groove that it sits in in the rubber seal. I hope that makes some sense, it would be much easier to describe with pictures.

The front window has the same type of rubber gasket holding in the glass, but I did't watch carefully enough to be able to do this myself. There does not appear to be any glue holding the window in (like on more modern vehicles), but I can't tell for sure.

-Has anyone done this before?
-Any tips?
-Where have you guys bought glass? I'd like to get a windshield from the junkyard, but I need to know how to get it out first.

Thanks

 

You can use the same rope installation technique for the windshield, but be extra careful and don't twist the glass. Set it in with the bottom lip of the rubber gasket in the window frame and work it in slowly with the rope from bottom keeping the right and left fairly equal. You will need some light force from the outside to nudge the windshield into place and this is where lack of experience will cause broken windshields. Too much force on one side will cause enough of a twist to break the glass.

I would advice against using soap because it dries out during installation. Use silicone spray that is for this type of work. The correct type is one that leaves a very slippery residue that doesn't dry out for a long time and prevents rust. Besides you really don't want soap under the rubber where the moisture in it can become trapped and possibly promote rust..

To remove the old windshield just cut the outer lip of the rubber gasket and push the windshield out from the inside. You might want to cover the hood with an old blanket to prevent scatching it.

 

I have helped my friend do this on my 77 when I restored it a couple of years ago. It has the chrome trim around it too. To get the old one out, I used a razor knife and cut the rubber gasket around the glass and pushed the glass right out to a buddy. I had a donor truck for the "new" glass so I didn't have to buy it. I would assume you can get a new one from an auto glass dealer / Installer or you can get one from a donor truck as I did. I bought a new windshield gasket from LMC truck to install it with. My glass buddy told me it was very difficult to near impossible to remove and reuse the old gasket with no leaks once installed, since these windows usually do not use any type of sealer besides the gasket. Since I have the chrome trim we had to install that in the gasket first, (my buddy really didn't want to put that back in due to the difficulty involved, I told him it had to have it!) we then placed the gasket around the glass, lubed up the new gasket with 5W30 motor oil and ran a thin rope around the gasket where it fits into the cab, placed the bottom of the window in the frame and pulled the rope from one end and then the other while my buddy was pushing the glass into the frame from the outside "carefully". No it's not an easy job! He has 25 years of glass experience and it still was not easy. Take your time and don't get in a hurry, you'll do fine. -Ed

 

Is the technique the same for the rear window glass? Going to do that job in a couple of weeks.

 

Yes it is the same, except the rear window is way easier because it is flat, not curved like the front.

 

Cutting the old rubber gasket to get the windshield out is based on the assumption you will be using a new gasket. If your old gasket is in really good condition and you plan to reuse it then removal is a bit different.

 

There is a tech article on this and there was a post a few weeks back with pictures that were very helpful, do a search on windshield replacement.