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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

chopped my windshield

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Old Aug 5, 2009 | 11:24 PM
  #106  
keith56_cruz_cab's Avatar
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From: Rancho Cucamonga ca.
Pilkington Glass... thats probably it when he told me over the phone I scribbled it down
quickly probably wrong.
nordvick... Interesting Idea are you planning not to cut the glass at all ?
 
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Old Aug 5, 2009 | 11:48 PM
  #107  
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Yeah i dont want to chop the windshield figured i would learn from your misfortune and try a different route so we could learn together the different possible ways to make it work and possibly help others in the future.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2009 | 08:27 AM
  #108  
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I offered that suggestion to slide the windshield up into the header a while ago, but I'm surprised the sides fit without widening the top tho.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2009 | 09:13 AM
  #109  
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I did have to widen the sides a bit but nothing crazy most everything i had to cut was on the inside header and i can just tack that back up to help brace up top when finished. Other than that i think running the seal around the bottom of the windshield will hold it in place and cut and glue around the top where it sits inside the cab. I couldnt see myself sinking it into the dash because i would loose the use of my wipers and air vent and i think the air vent is one of the coolest things about these old trucks, lol... O yeah i forgot your so smart AX what would we do without you?
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 12:41 AM
  #110  
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Yes thats right it's finally in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FTE to me is a place to learn and share and that's what this thread is about.
I hope others will learn from my mistakes and save themselves alot of time and money.
To sum up how to chop a windshield i'll lay it out here.
1. make a fiberglass template off of an old windshield.
2. cut the template as close as possible.
3. reshape the sides of the window frame to fit the template.
4.buy the right brand of glass. "pilkington"
5.The glass is not cut it's sanded thats right sanded the guy who sanded mine uses a large wet belt sander says it took him 3 days.


picture of the fiber glass template note the pieces of rubber trim holding it.


picture of frame cut out


picture of frame being rebuilt


picture of frame re-welded


picture of finished frame


picture finished
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 12:57 AM
  #111  
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Awesome keith very nice work and thank you for not giving up when things got hard! You give me hope with my build. I have to say it looks very clean.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 01:10 AM
  #112  
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Coming together nicely Keith...that has to be one of the best looking windshield installs that I have ever seen in a 56. Nice work!
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 07:10 AM
  #113  
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Yeah! Good for you man.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 07:21 AM
  #114  
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Fabulous!!.. great pics too.. tell us about the gasket.. stock only shortened?

got a wider angle view of the hood/cab with the glass installed?

what/how much did you end up removing from the glass?

Sam
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 07:38 AM
  #115  
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Congradulations Keith, I knew that given the time you'd get it figured out and it looks very professional. Great pictures of great work,this will be a big help to all those who wish to chop a 56
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 08:15 AM
  #116  
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Keith, congrats! I hope that when you show your truck the judges will appreciate what you have accomplished.
Perhaps you should write an article on what you did, why, and in hindsight what you might have done differently to help prepare others that are contemplating chopping their 56?
I'd suggest cutting the gasket to take the glass back out for painting, a new gasket is far less expensive than risking that glass.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #117  
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That's what I'm talking about!!

Way to go man!! After seeing all the other body mods you had done I knew the windshield would not stymie you!! It looks fabulous!!
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 08:32 AM
  #118  
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Nice One Keith,

Back on track and looking Awsome!

Cant wait to see this in final paint, if I recall you are going with Orange, same as me. Have you picked the final colour? I am thinking of "Electric Orange" its a genuine Ford colour used on the Focus ST models over here in the UK.

Cheers
Lee
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 12:37 PM
  #119  
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nope, no-can-do, no way, can't do, no how..... erp.

chalk one up for keith, skeptics - zero.

I just love a can do attitude and the fruits thereof.

JML
 
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Old Aug 28, 2009 | 12:55 AM
  #120  
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From: Rancho Cucamonga ca.
sdetwell... yes the gasket is stock-cut-down. The crome trim is from mid-fifty -cut down on the sides re-bent on the corners and because the windshiled is wider on top a piece was added to the top. maybe I'll take some pics out in the sun over the weekend so you can get a better look.
Thanks ax but Im not much of a writer maybe thats something you might want to do?
Lwlandy...yes still thinking orange / silver two tone.
thanks guys
 
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