Should a front windshield install be left to the pro's
or is it fairly easy to do by yourself? Also I paid $65
at the junkyard for a tinted one in great shape.
Is that a decent price?

 

I paid about that to get one installed and it hasn't leaked yet. With a helper it isn't hard to install, I watched.
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John

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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

I am having a new windshield put in today for $135, parts and labor. This is the only work on my truck I have ever had done by someone other than me. I considered getting one at the scrapyard and putting it in myself until I remembered how little fun I had and how much time is spent removing the windshield on my Mustang. There are certain things best left to others. In my opinion, windshield replacement is one of them.

 

To tell you the truth, all you need is some heavy braided nylon string to wrap around the outer groove of the windshield rubber, and a friend to push in while you pull the string. This pulls the rubber weatherstrip in where it goes. It helps to use some liquid dishsoap sometimes. I did my first one when I was 13, and only broke one windshield since then, and that was because the car was a rollover, and I didn't get the roof up high enough, and it put the windshield in a bind. I'm almost 42 now, and I've done a few dozen at least. Wrap the string twice around the windshield rubber, and this gives you more of a chance to get it in the first time. Just don't force it. If you aren't comfortable with trying something new and taking a chance, I agree with the guy who said to pay someone else to do it. I'm just the kind of person who is stubborn enough to try it myself, so I can say I did it.

 

I need a new windshield for my 1971 F100--who did you use? $135.00 is about $75.00 lower than the lowest price I could find here in Wichita, KS. Thanks!

 

Thanks guys. Iv'e decided to pay the pro's. Sometimes
it works out in the long run to be cheaper,so I valued
the advice. Tim, I got my windshield in Ashland city;
that's north of Nashville,TN. 25 miles. Real lucky to
find this guy,he keeps old stock looks like.

 

I make my living installing windshields so I've seen a few. Been at it about 15 years. I have to say that I like the glue in type better that the old gasket type.. I use a piece of nylon rope about 3/16 dia. in the gasket and pull it around. It helps to lubricate it with soapy water. I use a small sack filled with sand to 'bump' on the glass as I pull the rope. The sand sack conforms to the glass and spreads the impact area evenly. Also keeps your hand from getting sore from using it for a mallet. I also us a hook-tool to pull on the gasket it it gives me a problem. The hook tool is sold as a 'cotter key' tool. Be sure to grind the point off as it will tear the gasket (and your hand) if it slips. The chrome trim on these pickups is the pits and will give you trouble. Be sure to put the trim in the gasket before you install the glass or you won't be able to install it later. Be especially careful with salvage yard glass as it seems to get more brittle with age. I won't use it because most of it is scratched, pitted or damaged. Buy new, you'll never regret it. NEVER pry on the glass with a screwdriver or any metal object. Use a plastic stick or a glazier's bone if you can get one. Most glass shops have them and may even give you one free if you ask. Good luck

 

tim17ford, I used Budget Auto glass in Carter Lake, IA., and as is almost always the case with estimates, we went over. By a lot. Mostly due to the fact that they convinced me to use new rubber ($68). They were great, though, let me in the shop to show me the old gasket, and walk me through all the issues. They also ground some minor rust in the channel down to bare metal and applied etching primer. Did a nice job getting the chrome back in, too. I hate having someone else do ANYTHING to my truck, but in this case, I think I made the right decision. Probably saved me about a day and a possible botched job.

 

>tim17ford, I used Budget Auto glass in Carter Lake, IA., and
>as is almost always the case with estimates, we went over.
>By a lot. Mostly due to the fact that they convinced me to
>use new rubber ($68). They were great, though, let me in the
>shop to show me the old gasket, and walk me through all the
>issues. They also ground some minor rust in the channel down
>to bare metal and applied etching primer. Did a nice job
>getting the chrome back in, too. I hate having someone else
>do ANYTHING to my truck, but in this case, I think I made
>the right decision. Probably saved me about a day and a
>possible botched job.


Thanks for the info. Yea--I have owned my 71 F100 for 4.5 years and no one's touched it except my brother and I. But I think I will also draw the line on installing a new windshield--not worth the headache nor the education! I have gotten quotes for about $200.00--and I think that includes using my chrome in a new gasket. I'm sure it's going to be pretty tough removing the old stuff though so they may ask for more when I get around to it...

I think I need to fix the oil leak first, but that's a whole nuther discussion!!

Thanks again!

 

 

I put the windshield in my 72 with the help of my brotherin law put a new rubber in it all went really smooth on a hot summer day, the first time iwashed the truck it leaked I had to pay to have them fix watever made it leak (my wife took it in so I don't know what they found. moral of the story is that I shoud have just paid them to put it in and not waste my time.

dj

 

tim,
They are easy to take apart.Cut the inside rubber about a 1/2 from glass and push it out,THEN take the trim out of the rubber.The real big problem is putting the trim in new rubber.Lotsa duct tape and searing.Also always put the new install in the sun for the day or when the suns out.
I will never do the chrome trim again.What a pain!