i am going to guess no windshield repair shop will even think about replacing a windshield in a 1977 F-150,

i am sure i can get my hands on another windshield, as mine is cracked, well when the chrome trac molding was going in, the rubber was tight in the one corner, so a little pulling and prodding, and CRACK! a nice forked crack,

i could have spit nails, as the window was in, and seemed fine, yet that dang trac trim had to go in,

now my question is, can i have them install a used window i can get? or do i have to buy new? its late now, and this just happened a few hours ago, and the shops where closed,

so whats a ball park or what you paid to have your front window installed, and did they put in new? or did you have a window for them to install? i am thinking of putting a old one in, as i have access to more than one front windshield,

what was the cost of a new one? and what was the cost of install? or would they even touch your truck? i am going to say no, as these windshields are real SOB's to install, not as easy as gluing it in,

also the truck is still in resto so insurance is not a option, besides insurance might say, aww the cost is too much, the truck is a write off,

something tells me this front windshield will end up costing me 600-1000 bucks or more for a new one, plus install, plus if i have them install a old window, i am sure they will charge me a arm and leg if they will even do it,

any help would be great, i expect to hear the worst, so please someone reply and make my day, or sink my battle ship, as money is very tight right now,

-Brent

 

I went to the local Speedy Auto Glass and bought a new one with the tinting on the top and had it installed by them for about $300 total (with the new rubber too). They really aren't that bad.

I hate to reference LMC (however their catalog was the closest to me), but they have new ones for about 190.00 if you want to buy your own.

I'd check with your local autoglass shop first though.

 

i got mine for 190.00 a few years back at local auto glass dealer. he even came to my house and instaled it in my driveway.

 

thanks for the help so far, anyone else, toss your 2 cents on, as i would like as many stories as possible, i have to call up the local glass shops tomorrow, and see what damage this is going to be, or if any of them will even do it,

also how did they install your front window? i bet they have to crawl all over the hood, thus the fresh paint i have planned will likely get mucked up,

i really would like to get this done before paint, as we have only blown in the paint and clear where the window attaches (the lip)

so how did they do it? i bet there was some knee indents on your hood after, or mucked up paint, dang glass, just had to break, funds are tight, and had no plans for window replacement, and professional install, i don't get why they didn't just have them glue it, much easier,

please don't may attention to my venting, it just seems lately trouble has been looking for me, and it doesn't rain it pours,

-Brent

 

No dents. They stood on stepladders next to the truck (my truck is on 37's so it's a bit of a reach). It's actually pretty simple if you have the right tools and the experience. They have one guy inside and 2 out. Lay it in place and then basically pull the rip-strip they use and it falls right into place. Couldn't have taken them more than 10 minutes and I watched the whole thing just in case they were to try something stupid.

 

I had a new one installed just after paint and they didn't even drop a single piece of dirt. Two guys did mine, one either side, sitting the bottom in place, then they stood in the door jamb to get one side of the rubber started. Once under way, one sat inside to continue the rubber accross the top as the other came the other way.
It can be done with one person, the hardest thing is getting it into place.

 

Got a free used one put in the 78 for $50 with new chrome/plastic strip. They said they would put in a new one for $120.

When they put the one in my 78 they did not remove the upper metal seal retainer bar. They started with it put in the upper seal groove and worked there way down to the bottom, 15 min flat in and out.

I was amazed, but they did use the same seal, did not even have to cut it to get old w/s out.

 

I had a chip repaired at an auto glass place I saw advertised on a plastic sign nailed to a telephone pole... not only did they do a great job w/ lifetime replacement warranty for $20, but confirmed that the $149/any windshield installed deal included my truck.

I have no idea how they do it so cheap, but the deals are out there.

 

Business people are trying to survive, not make a killing, these days.
Especially the smaller business,IMO.

That $50 for mine in was no guarantee if broken, but it was free to start out with.

 

I need to get a windshield and rear glass installed also. IF I were to do this myself, what tools do I need?

In all likeliness I'll end up going to an auto glass place and let them do it.

 

Patience and more patience, a helping hand, soapy water in a spray bottle, if you are gonna reuse your old seals, be careful taking out the old glass. The "string" trick never worked for me?

Have new seals handy, the old ones could rip when you take out the old glass.

IMO its alot easier, to go ahead and get the glass shop to do it, and if you break your window you will end up using a glass shop anyway.

Shop around for prices, are you using a rear slider (maybe cheaper cause its 4 pieces of glass) take the plunge, enjoy the view.

 

The rear is very easy, especially if you are putting a slider in. All you need is a hook tool. The front is a little more delicate. A word of advise, if you plan to remove your windshield, or remove one from a donor rig and you want to keep it in tact, I strongly recommend cutting the windshield rubber and removing it. I broke a new windshield, and then a prefectly good used windshield trying to remove them to keep the rubber in tact. I would much rather go to the local auto parts store and drop 30 bucks for a new rubber then make that costly mistake a third time.

Windshield Tools Used By Professionals Worldwide

 

Ok you guys that had auto glass outfits replace the glass did they also reinstall the chome trim or just a new rubber?
Thanks for any info on this.

 

i agree, Old Rusty Wrench, did they install the chrome strip? they should, as it is needed to hold the window, as it spreads the rubber out,

also we just put in a brand new rubber on the front window, i hope they will try and reuse my rubber gasket, as i don't feel like buying a new one, also a used window is all i can afford right now, i know i can get one for free,

but they should put the chrome strip in, as its part of the seal,

-Brent

 

Since the windshiled seal is available with or without the chrome retainer, I would just make sure you specify you would like done. Otherwise they may put in a new gasket without the retainer.