Need a custom windshield made, any ideas??

I need a custom windshield made for a 58 chev pickup that we have in the shop, it was chopped 5 inches and they widened the cab, so I need a windshield that is shorter and wider than stock, see my problem? Anyone know anybody that makes custom gl***? Thanks, Jim

 

How deep are your customers pockets?

 

Oh man...that's an expensive proposition.

Check with NONAME here. He's a gl*** guy.

 

Make a cardboard removable template,fibregl*** it while it is in to retain the correct size and shape. Take it to the wrecking yard and lay it over any car or truck that looks like it might be close. I think car windshields are generally wider than truck gl***. Just might find one!

 

Customer knows this is going to cost big bucks, so far as getting lucky and finding a car close, well if you have ever looked at a 58 chev truck windshield you will see they are really different shaped, they wrap around quite a ways, but at the same time the wrap at different rates from top to bottom and curve all the way across the truck, so I just do not see me finding anything that will work in a salvage yard. The truck is pretty much finished so this is about the only way to go and he had to have this truck built this way, and the customer is always right no matter how wrong they are...Jim

 

The customer was wrong. A windshield is going to cost him a fortune.

JH

 

Give these guys a try
looks like they can handle your request

http://www.procurvegl***.com/index.html

 

I don't know if this would work but it's worth thinking about.You could v **** two windshields, cut each long off center.

 

The method I am aware of for making one-off windshields is making a steel pattern that has the inside shape and diminsions needed. The pattern needs to be free of defects and regularities that will be reproduced by the gl***. The steel needs to either be nickel plated, or there are compounds(I think one is carbon) that can be used to keep the gl*** from sticking to the metal. The pattern and gl*** are then heated in an oven, letting the gl*** sag over the pattern. I am aware of no corrections being made for shrinkage. Possibly the expansion of the metal pattern takes care of that? There is some seat of the pants experience involved. Sometimes more than one attempt is required to end up with a good piece.

The finished part can be tempered. That will make it stronger and safer. In some countries tempered windshields are permitted, but they are not DOT approved in the U.S. Making a laminated "safety gl***" windshield would require two precision patterns. I'm sure the cost for those would be more than anyone would want to pay.

 

last time I looked into it it was almost 4 grand. but you got 5 winders... (laminate)

some outfit in or-stray-lia

 

Your customer needs a reality check! He screwed up and thinks $ can bail him out.Time to cut off the roof ,get anouther one,find someone that knows what there doing and have them cut the gl*** ,then make the roof fit the gl***. You can shape the steel but you cant change the shape of the gl***. Your other option is use LEXAN. Some times it is better to chalk it up as a bad experiance and stop ,then call some one that knows what ther doing. Good luck dealing with this guy.

 

no,, lexan is not an option. Do a search before I have to go on another rant......

 

How did it get wider at the cowl? I get they widened it at the top but 58 59 cadillacs oldsmobiles ect can use the OG windshield if cut right. get ahold of OZ Welch he has cut down several shields like this. Is the truck in paint yet?

Dave Hitch

 

How about one from a old Caddy , Lincoln , Pontiac or something along that line then cut it down . Those were some of the biggest windshields I can think of .
Of co**** you can have one made .

Retro Jim

 

.+1

 

sorta,, laminate can be made with one pattern, both layers and the plasic liner are sandwiched over the inner pattern and then heated, gravity does the rest.

 

We've had this discussion before, and no one likes to hear the outcome!
Though there WAS a guy here who said he had someone who would do custom curved gl*** for a reasonable price...but even after hounding him, I never got a reply who, what or where.
I know that the Chrysler City Coupe, that Jerry Kind built according to Barris specs, had a large custom rear windshield made for it..large in that it extended high up into the roof area. Word was, it was made in Pittsburgh, and the first one cost over 10 G's, but the second was available for about 5.
They screwed up the chop on that truck, with cars/trucks with severe wraparounds, you have to plan for the gl*** before you pick up the Sawzall! Most guys cut the gl***, the chop the roof it fit it, as you need to do a bit of pinchweld work, and extend the A pillars, even if you drop the gl*** into a "pocket".

 

Can you cut the factory gl*** down and split it in half? You might be able to come up with some sort of stainless trim to cover the V ****s?

 

"Lexan is not an option" I used lexan on a race type car and had to use the windshield wipers once, for about a total of 3 minuits in heavy rain, and badly scratched it with new blades.

 

X2 . I'd be looking real hard down this road. A nicely designed center divider bar could be a solution.

 

I see Lexan in your future.

 

the truck did not get wider at the cowel, it is wider at the top, andthe way the windshield curves onthe sides it changes all the way up; the whindshiled so you cant just cut the top of the gl*** off and make it work. the top of the truck was cut 4 ways and had metal added and it is now 4" wider, its a friggin mess....

 

If this dude wants a chopped top, find a different top and cut it the way it's always been done.

 

After bending, Lexan or acrylic(Plexi-Gl***) can be coated with a scratch resistant finish. If the windshield was cleaned carefully and Rain-X was used instead of wipers, you could get by. Plastic can be d**** formed over a wood pattern, so that would be cheaper and easier to do. But like tempered gl***, I doubt plastic would meet DOT's approval.

 

Two windshields with a divider won't help, once you cut it down the angle of the sides probably won't fit if they widened the top.
I was over getting some gl*** at one of my gl*** shops and they had the same issue, a 57 Chevy PU with a big chop. Already painted in Candy's/ pearls and upholstered! Never had the gl*** fitted! I'm always amazed how many people are think the gl*** guys can work miracals and can fit gl*** no matter what. Lot's of good cars and trucks have been s****ed over the years because of this ignorance.

 

x3!

 

I recomend rechopping the roof but if that's not an option we can make you one out of safty gl*** (lam. That's a hard one to make with big wraparound curves so it will be expensive like $4k. I will need you to make me a very smooth steel templete of the inner side of the gl*** and about 4 to 6 weeks to make it. Need more imfo pm me, Rick Erickson

www.exkustom.com

 

How about a roadster pickup?
Lose the widened top, and go with the stock/shortened gl***,
so you don't have to fit the top edge. Would that work?.

 

4 grand sounds like a deal.

 

Yes that's a good deal belive it or not. In the past I have been quoted from $6k to $10k for a wraparound windshield like that.

We can also make a mild curved Lam windshield / backgl*** for a little less like around $3.5k

We can Anneal (take the temper out) tempered gl*** that was commonly used to make back gl*** so it can be cut for $600

Rick Erickson

www.exkustom.com