Replacing the rubber around the 1972 door windows
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo Ca.
Replacing the rubber around the 1972 door windows
Has anyone replaced the rubber around the door windows of my 72 and now it is harder than it should be to roll up and down the windows? I did grease the track which I'm sure isn't the problem but have to mention it. It seems like too much rubber friction. I believe I installed the rubber correctly. Does it get better or is there a solution?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 802
Likes: 261
From: Laramie Wyoming
I had this same problem. You need to make sure the track and everything is seated properly then make sure your track bar on the window is correctly centered so the window goes up straight.
It takes time to break in so help it up and down for a bit.
It takes time to break in so help it up and down for a bit.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo Ca.
Not sure how to adjust any tracks. I loosened the vent window track side, but it is but it seems to fit only one way reinstalling it. I also removed the window regulator, but I put it exactly the same place it was before by the ghost markings from the four bolts. The most friction seems to be the two along the bottom. Those two seemed to be over an 1/8" long on the rear crowding that area with the rear/top piece. Both sides have the same issue. It would be nice to find good directions or videos. None had everything needed and one guys video was glueing them which seems like horrible advice.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 78
I’ve done this job on mine.
I will mention when installing the fuzzy window tracks, the u-shaped clips (that hold the track) sort of SNAPS into the channel in the door. It’s possible yours did not fully seat into the channels.
Doing mine I used a thin piece of wood (same thickness as the glass) into the tracks and tapped the tracks in with a hammer to make sure they were fully seated into the door channels.
I will mention when installing the fuzzy window tracks, the u-shaped clips (that hold the track) sort of SNAPS into the channel in the door. It’s possible yours did not fully seat into the channels.
Doing mine I used a thin piece of wood (same thickness as the glass) into the tracks and tapped the tracks in with a hammer to make sure they were fully seated into the door channels.
Last edited by jzjames; May 31, 2026 at 12:46 PM.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 488
Likes: 143
From: Colorado Springs
You said you greased the track, did you clean the track, and apply the grease in the roller track? I use white lithium grease when I am doing this, I also spray the window rubber tracks (that window goes up and down in) with silicon spray to help the glass go up and down. Is the nylon roller in good shape on your regulator? Here is a quote from another person that had issues with their door glass going up and down. Hope this helps, let us know if it works for you.
"The wing window is like a pivot that will swing toward the engine. Unbolt the bottom of the wing window below the regulator/spring mechanism that rolls the window up and down. Then remove the screw on the top of the door directly below the wing window latch and above the window crank. Unscrew the wing windows screws from the top of the door edge facing forward. Now the wing window will pivot and allow you to reposition the sliding glass".
"The wing window is like a pivot that will swing toward the engine. Unbolt the bottom of the wing window below the regulator/spring mechanism that rolls the window up and down. Then remove the screw on the top of the door directly below the wing window latch and above the window crank. Unscrew the wing windows screws from the top of the door edge facing forward. Now the wing window will pivot and allow you to reposition the sliding glass".
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo Ca.
The biggest issue/friction seems to be the two separate pieces of rubber/felt along the bottom which I would think silicon spray isn't the solution as it isn't a track and it might spread on the glass going up and down. I will spray silicon on the sides as there is friction and that may make enough of a difference to solve this matter. I don't believe it is the side tracks adjustment as it doesn't seem tight and I haven't changed it, but I will investigate further if spraying the tracks doesn't solve this. Thanks
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 488
Likes: 143
From: Colorado Springs
Yes, I agree not to put the silicon spray on the rubber/felt pieces on the bottom. Where did you purchase your rubber parts from?
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 488
Likes: 143
From: Colorado Springs
There is a good youtube video by Autorestomod F100 that goes over replacing the window rubber on our trucks. The part that talks about the rubber bottom parts that you are having an issue with starts around the 15-minute mark. Their F100 is a 1972 so both of these pieces are all rubber one's vs the rubber/felt ones on earlier trucks.
The youtube is called installing car weather stripping:
The youtube is called installing car weather stripping:
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo Ca.
I did see the video before I installed them. I have mixed opinions on the video. It could have been better. I sprayed silicon in the vertical tracks which helped enough today. I didn't adjust the tracks as I can slide the window sideways over 1/4" so I fail to see a binding issue. I'm hoping over time it will get better, but the silicon made it more tolerable. Hope it stops smearing silicon on the window eventually. On to changing my engine mounts and brake lines etc. I have a list before it will be drivable. Once it's drivable, I expect it to show a larger list. Thanks
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo Ca.
Good point, but there isn't any bit of cocking as far as I can tell. If I brought the tracks closer, I think there would be more contact with the rubber creating more friction. Not even sure how I would adjust the upper part of the tracks as the wing window wouldn't be in the right place and the other side is in the perfect spot.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 255
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
The thing about adjusting windows is that it only takes 1 adj to be off to cause things to bind. Roll the window all the way up and loosen all the bolts holding the track and glass. Do a little shake to see if any of the mounting point move. Some times it only take a 1/16-1/8" tweek or less for every thing to smooth out.