Been a while off the HAMB, but I am back. I have a 1957 Ranchero with a rusted roof and lower cowl. So here is the question, I have access to a 57 fairlane is the windshield surround the same, also is a hardtop windshield just shorter or is the bottom rear corners a different shape? Since I have to cut the cowl and roof off, I was thinking about using hardtop gl*** for a mild chop. I have already done a few searches here and lots of cool mods and chops but none with a gl*** specs. I am building something similar to my last Ranchero in the pic. Thanks all for the help.
I can't answer all your questions, but I have a 57 Custom 300 and a 57 Fairlane. The windshields don't look alike. I don't think it will work but if you are going to change the whole windshield setup and make it a custom then you need to take a lot of measurements. I think it may be wider also on a Fairlane.
I don't have the answers,but was just curious about the door angle at the front. Is the front angle the same?Would the windshield surround and cowl from a sedan or wagon be a better fit? ROY.
They are the same part number, maybe the extra stainless around the windshield mast is throwing me. And I looked for a 300 sedan, wagon ranchero, but all that I have run across are rusted out at body mount and door jambs like mine. This rancho I picked up has a 67 390 four speed posi orange with fentons and has sat since 1989 so it got the Oregon rust even in the cowl rain gutters behind the doors. I am picking up a fairlane front cut cowl, roof floors and rockers basically cut at the b pillar across top and bottom. I was hoping some one would say yes so easy just put in a hardtop windshield and drop the top to match.
If you check my profile for threads started you will find the info you need... Basically Ford chopped the 300 series by changing the angle of the A pillar and stamping wider top panels on the 500 series I put a convertible cowl on the Ranchero... I still have the rust free Ranchero pieces available
Usually you had one windshield for hardtop and convertible and another for sedans/post cars/wagons. Which is what the pickups got. Base is going to be the same for all of them. Becase of the shape you might have to use the hardtop A-post cut right as low as you can go on it.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567430 There are more variables than one would ever imagine but the above thread addresses the issues
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