I put new window glass in my '40 PU, and everything has gone well, with the exception of the right door window. New guides and top wiper felts are in, as is the window. But, one of the spring-loaded wheels keeps coming out of the channel with the resistance of the new glass and components. These are actually in a '46 cab in a '40 makeover, and worked OK when there was virtually no resistance in the old guides and top anti-rattle felts. Might work all right with help by lifting the glass while winding, or for a couple of times alone, but it will come out when checking the up and down 2 or 3 times to make sure it's OK (which it's not). Is there anyone who has tried pinching the channel a little to compensate for the extra stress of the new parts or wear on the wheel and channel ridge? Do you have a way to keep the back wheel in the worn track? The front wheel stays in OK so it may be just in the other wheel wear or worn channel in that part. Can't seem to find any replacements out on the market. I know my wife and she will want to work this window...

Elder Rodder

 

Sounds like you need a new window channel. $19.95 at Mac's Antique, part number 81C-55962

Mike

 

Just went through this on my '40. As you know, the channel appears to be heavy enough gage material to keep its' shape but after 60 years of up and down pressure the channels have a tendency to distort a bit - just enough to let the wheel jump out of the track. Disengage the wheels from the channel, have someone hold the window up and out of your way or block it up with a stick, adjust a pair of vise grips to slightly smaller than the channel dimension, check ( measure before and after ) to see if there is a change in the slot/opening of the channel ( the channel is springy and you might need to repeat this proceedure until you figure out how much pressure of the grips it takes to close the slot slightly ), reinsert the wheels and give it a try. I had to do this on both sides and the windows roll up and down like new. Lots of lube here is essential. Good luck, Steve

 

59INA40

Thanks for the info. I have thought something like this would be necessary. I know going beyond the opening desired is part of dealing with the springback of steel. I am hoping the wheels are harder than the guide. Worn wheels would be a problem. I also recall squeezing the large lower window felts before hanging them; a factor that might be causing too much drag on the window. I'll try opening them up some on both sides. Really haven't found replacment guides for '46 anywhere, only up to '42. Sorry 45ford but I found no listing in Mac's. My units are '46 as the cab is a donor and remade into a '40. I don't know the differences in the regulators and guides through the years but it seems '42 would be different. A couple of guys at cruise night suggested using dishwashing detergent on the nap to make that easier going. Boy, that's a last resort.

Elder Rodder

 

Ah, I had assumed that you changed your windows to the frameless '40-style. That's what I did to my '45 and I like the look a lot better.

Mike

 

45Ford

Yes, I did go with plain glass from Vintage Glass and like the look better, also. The part I meant was that Mac's didn't list window channels for anything beyond '42. They were listed in Early Ford Sales, Inc. at EARLYFORD.COM for later years but since that would involve pulling the anti-rattle fuzzies, and the glass, I'll try Steve's suggestion first of closing-up the channel some and seeing if that will do the trick. There's always changing the channel later if that doesn't work.

Elder Rodder