Chopped curved windshield (56 F100)

I got a too-good-to-pass-up deal on my 56 F100 shell... it was already 85% done with a 4inch chop. The roof was widened (about 1-1/2 inches) to keep the A pillars inline.. I have NO glass for this truck, and would like to figure out how to do the windshield before I sink a ton of money and labor into this truck.

Does anyone know what I can do for a windshield? I think I will have to build a buck and somehow mold lexan for the proper fit and look. ANYONE have a better/easier/cheaper suggestion? And, no, a different cab is NOT an option, neither is a covertable/roadster....

Anyone in the Chicago/Detroit/Indianapolis area (I am between all 3) that knows how to do this? Know of a shop capable?

HELP, PLEASE!!

 

I think I'd get a windshield, cut it, then re-chop the truck to fit the windshield.

 

What he said. My guess is the reason it was sold without glass is that the glass could't be cut to fit. Get a w/s, cut it, re-do the opening to fit the glass. You'll never get it right otherwise.

Brian

 

I dont know how well you can fit glass to a widened roof but I can say that you can always make a template and see how well it transfers over to the stock windshield.

got a pic you can post up?

 

This is why so many chop projects never get done. They may have thought that Lexan would do it for them, I've never seen one curved to that extent though.

Bob

 

Local guy just had a Lexan windshield made for his 56...paid $1,200 and it looks like crap.

Others have hit on the right idea of making a buck. What I do is use the original windshield as a buck and lay up some fiberglass on it to make a part that is the same size and shape as the OEM windshield but can be easily cut and fit to make the perfect shape for your application. There is a 99.9% chance that this FG copy will never be able to be fit without reshaping the windshield opening in the cab...that is why you find so many of these chopped cabs being sold off unfinished. If you can get the FG windshield to fit the opening, then you may want to look into the waterjetting post that was on the HAMB last week...looks like a good way to go with glass that has compound curves. Good luck!

 

make a template , get a windshield for te truck, and talk to a glass guy with a waterjet to cut it out and install it ... I have a guy down the street that does it cheap . an d can get new glass for most old curved windshields

 

Well, this cab was sold without glass because the windshield was broken while being removed (or so the story goes) My biggest concern with an OEM windshield is the difference in front-to-rear depth at the top and bottom.... I don't think the profile will look right since the glass would be sloped more radically with the chop. Thankfully the side and rear glass are pretty much flat, so they will be much easier to deal with. I actually have the chance to get a 58 Ranchero windshield to try to fit.... but not sure if I should spend $50 to try....

 

I have uploaded a pic of a 53 , measure twice cut once lol. find a windshield somewhere and make a pattern out of fiberglass matt.

From my recent experience , a cracked glass will have a little less curve to it (i measured around 1/4" wider at the top) this will make the glass look like a better fit at the pinch welds than it really is.

 

About 30 years ago there was a chopped 56 F100 in this area that changed hands about every six months when the last person to buy it gave up on it and sold it again.

As much as I love chopped trucks I'd honestly suggest buying another roof with enough posts on it to put that cab back stock height and be done with it. Not as trick but one hell of a lot less headaches.

That is one of those rigs that if you want to chop it you need to have the glass cut first and then make the truck fit the glass.

 

ive got one, cant get a windshield for it. spent about 3 grand still no windshield. i even took the cab to vintage glass in Georgia! he said he cut 7 and still couldnt get it right! i believe you can only chop these 56's 2 inches before you run into alot of trouble. i did some trading to get mine. looks like it might be a roadster for me!

 

If the roof has been widened the windshield will never fit. On a 56 the glass actually gets a little smaller as you cut it. I've had to "unwidend" a previous chopped 56 cab before to get glass to fit.
customtudor, I've got one out there chopped 4 1/2 with glass in it.

 

Hi, I have a stock 56 F100 windshield and rear glass that you can have if you would like to come and get them. I live near Ann Arbor. Send a private message if interested.

Chuck