Finally finished my roadster windshield conversion

Well I am happy to say that I got the roadster windshield project all wrapped up on my fordor-turned-rpu. I am really happy with the results, it looks WAY better then the sedan windshield ever did. Though this won't be a step-by-step, it will give you an idea of whats involved.

I started with 28/29 roadster windshield stanchions. I chopped them 5", and pie-cut them to make them line up. I also cut a piece of 1/8" plate to fit inside of each stanchion, and welded them up. This made them really rigid:




Now I had to fab up mounting tabs to mount the stanchions to. After cutting off the stock windshield frame, I had to trim off the outside edges of the dash rail, because they tapered back and would stick back behind the windshield posts.

Once I trimmed that piece out, I formed pieces of 1/4" plate to make the mounting tabs out of. These weld to the dash rail, and tie into a piece of plate that welds to my door jam. I rebuilt the door jams a while back when I replaced all the rotten wood subframe with new steel. With this all tied together, it will be super strong. I drilled & tapped the tabs to mount the stanchions:





I now fit the stanchion to the car. I trimmed the front edge of the stanchion a little at a time, until it matched up with the curve of the cowl, and bolted it up:


It worked out well, so I moved around the back to finish the dash rail. I cut pieces of 1/8" plate to fill the newly tapered outside edge of the dash rail in. After welding these up, I cut a 30/31 dash rail to fit between the door jams. Its starting to look like something now:




Now I had to work on the back side of the stanchions. I needed to taper the backside of the stanchion to match up with the width of the doors. I mounted the stanchions, and cut a posterboard template to make the posts match the doors. I then cut a piece of 14 gauge steel, formed & shaped it to match up, and welded the new back of the stanchions up. After some more grinding & fitting, it worked out pretty well:


Now I got the windshield frame ready to mount up. I used a 32' roadster windshield frame, chopped 2". I bought this in raw steel, as I thought I would have to narrow it of widen it or something to make it work. As it turned out, no mods were needed, it worked perfect just as it came. I will have this chromed I guess.

Here are some pics after I got the dash & windshield all mounted up. I really like the end result. Once it's all painted, it will make a pretty convincing roadster look out of it, more so then the sedan windshield by far. Hopefully this will be of use to somebody, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Heres how it sits, thanks for looking-Dan

 

That project just keeps on inspiring the rest of us,lots of cool ideas.

 

Excellent. I just may have to rip off this idea from you!

 

Thanks guys! Richard, I am sure that you could make something similar on your rpu. Plus I figured I raised the value by putting a 32' windshield frame on it

 

That looks great, glad to see an update. Keep it up and keep us posted.

 

Nice looking work.

 

I'm REALLY glad you did that, I didn't like the sedan windshield frame there before. Now it looks like it should. Great job-

 

exelent idea, looks realy good. the only addition I would make is a smallpiece at each end of the dash rail to fill the space between the rail and post keep up the good work. jack.

 

You still have the sedan? What is up with that? I still have them wheels in the box' still believe it or not. KNUX!

 

Damn nice looking work!! Like your windshield idea, looks great on your car. How big is the "Pump Jack"?

Rex

 

Simply awesome dude! I will be using this later!!

 

Well that kinda depends........my old fordor sedan IS this rpu now. A pic of the beginning of the end:



I cut up the fordor in mid-stream after I found my personal #1 favorite body ever, and it's really nice:


This is part of the reason I really want to get the rpu done, my personal dream project is a 30/31 tudor, as a highboy on deuce rails. So I want to get going on this thing soon

Get those damn wheels mounted

Dan

 

I thought about it, but it will be a problem to do for a couple reasons. The dash behind the dash rail had to be tapered forward on the outside edges, behind the dash rail. Otherwise it would stick behind the stanchions a little from the side view and look funny.

Plus the rear of the windshield stanchions are curved one way, and the dash rail is shaped the opposite way, so I filler between the two really isn't do-able. I think once its all in paint it will blend in fine, and it won't stick out so bad like it does in shiny bare metal now

 

Thanks Rex, I appreciate! Sorry for the silly question, but what's a pump jack ? I'm sure it's in one of the pics, I'm just not sure which one

 

Dan----Ya did good, kid. That really looks great. I talk to your daddy all the time over at clubhotrod. You are doing an exceptional job.---Brian

 

Thank you very much Brian, I appreciate! I should warn you about my dad though, he's a troublemaker

 

I started with 28/29 roadster windshield stanchions. I chopped them 5", and pie-cut them to make them line up. I also cut a piece of 1/8" plate to fit inside of each stanchion, and welded them up. This made them really rigid:




Is this piece the plate you made to go inside of the scantion?

 

You probably won't get an answer. He hasn't been on the HAMB in 9 years.