Darkside windows
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
Darkside windows
I am just thinking for now, but I know I want to extend the cab on my 59 someday. I don't want to extend it very much - just enough for some extra space and so I can run a more comfortable seat with lots of leg room. I was thinking about 8 to 10 inches, shortening the bed by the same amount.
One thing that discourages me is that I really do not like the windows in the extended cab - just not to my taste. You need to do something as that is a very bad place to have a blind spot - people seem to enjoy driving beside you where you can not see them in your mirrors or through your door window.
I was thinking of the old 5 window trucks - the cute little corner windows they had. I liked that style. Can you have safety glass made with a 90 degree curve? Is doing so affordable?
One thing that discourages me is that I really do not like the windows in the extended cab - just not to my taste. You need to do something as that is a very bad place to have a blind spot - people seem to enjoy driving beside you where you can not see them in your mirrors or through your door window.
I was thinking of the old 5 window trucks - the cute little corner windows they had. I liked that style. Can you have safety glass made with a 90 degree curve? Is doing so affordable?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
WillyB -
As they say in the aerospace industry, "anything can be made". But a one-off curved window (left and right) would be pricy. If you could adapt the corner windows from a 50's Ch**y cab, that might do, but you have to measure one and I have no clue about cost.
Have you thought about extending the cab thru the doors? You have to make a cut thru the roof anyway. Maybe the answer is just to stretch the cab thru the doors making them 8-10 inches wider. It doesn't seem much more difficult to do than patching on panels behind the door jamb. I think that would look pretty cool. Just a thought.
As they say in the aerospace industry, "anything can be made". But a one-off curved window (left and right) would be pricy. If you could adapt the corner windows from a 50's Ch**y cab, that might do, but you have to measure one and I have no clue about cost.
Have you thought about extending the cab thru the doors? You have to make a cut thru the roof anyway. Maybe the answer is just to stretch the cab thru the doors making them 8-10 inches wider. It doesn't seem much more difficult to do than patching on panels behind the door jamb. I think that would look pretty cool. Just a thought.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Near Fresno, California
A good thought at that, and something I had not considered. Wide doors take up more space in a parking lot, but I always park away from everyone anyhow.
Good idea - I will think on it.
Good idea - I will think on it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Near Fresno, California
I have used plexiglass on boats - it is easy to scratch and turns yellow in a few months. You can use it - some do - but, to me, it never looks like it belongs there.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Ok...had to ask. It was all I could think of. The old CH**y glasses are hard to find used now. Someone offereed a guy I know $50 a pop for some he had out in a rusted out cab over 10 years ago. I bet they are more now.
I would assume they make them new now since there are so many being restored.
I would assume they make them new now since there are so many being restored.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 299
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From: Marryville, Tennessee
I have to go with Brian on this. There are so many glass shops out there that run computerised systems now that they can make just about anything you need these days, for relativley cheap too. Check your local glass shops and see?
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Postmaster
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A new front windshield is $300 installed for my 56 at the most expensive place in town. Their supplier had 2 in stock.
I am not getting one, but I wanted to get some idea of cost and what was available locally. Check locally like mason suggested. I would bet in central CA someone has them on a shelf (or in a rack).
I am not getting one, but I wanted to get some idea of cost and what was available locally. Check locally like mason suggested. I would bet in central CA someone has them on a shelf (or in a rack).
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Near Fresno, California
OOPS, can not use an off the shelf corner window. They do not extend far enough around the corner. I could get almost exactly the same view by adding a big window to the truck. I want something that extends 6 or 8 inches along the side.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 299
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From: Marryville, Tennessee
Thats probably not a bad Idea ... adapting a "wrap around" back window on that 59? Infact if I remember right some of them came with wrap around rear windows? I think that the truck would look real cool extended through the doors to give it bigger doors. I was thinking of extending My cab on the 55 as I am really tall (6'8") and could use some "leg" room. (some day maybe) hahaha. Anyways good luck
Mason
Mason
Last edited by mason55; Dec 8, 2005 at 12:47 AM.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 299
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From: Marryville, Tennessee
I was thinking if I ever "stretched" the 55 I would make it kinda look like a 32 Ford Coupe style with that little side window with "no post" with a stretched door panel. But being so "BIG" I always way over do things to fit "ME". Just a thought though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Midland, Texas
You might see if a really savvy potter might help. You can "slump" glass in a kiln, forming the angle you want, perhaps. It is an iffy proposition at best. Glass is wierd stuff if not annealed right.
glazing along, himmelberg
glazing along, himmelberg
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,978
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Dodge also had a 5 window cab. I don't remember the years but it was early 50's
I think if you went with the big back wrap around rear window and then stretch the cab through the doors as Randy suggested you would have a great looking truck.
Bobby
I think if you went with the big back wrap around rear window and then stretch the cab through the doors as Randy suggested you would have a great looking truck.
Bobby
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From: Seattle WA.
I was reading an article awhile back about a 51 cab that had been extended by cutting the doors down the center. Adding to there length instead of adding the quarter windows. The truck looked great, you could see something was different about it, but until I read the article I wasen't sure what it was. If anyone wants to know what magazine and month it was in let me know and I will try to find it.
Rod
Rod
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Near Fresno, California
Thanks - it is always worth it to ask as you can never tell where good ideas will pop up. I am not sure as a picture of a 51 would help as the designs are so different. I did work a picture I captured from eBay over and like the results. What do you guys think?
The first is stock, the second is just the cab extended (requires frame extension too) and the third is the cab extended with the box shortened.
The first is stock, the second is just the cab extended (requires frame extension too) and the third is the cab extended with the box shortened.