Hello, I’m working on a 36 Ford pickup, and I want to eliminate the windshield frame and glue the windshield directly to the cab. Does anyone have and tips, tricks, or photos on how to do this? Did you modify the cab opening? What rubber molding did you use around the glass? How did you finish off the surround on the inside of the cab? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Dan
My cab had a lot of rot above the windshield due to mice making a home in the original boxed in area so I built a pinch weld all the way around and rubber mounted it. A universal rubber from JC Whitney. It has worked out OK for me. Gary
Gary, Do you have any pictures of your pinch weld? Also, do you have any pictures showing the surround on the inside of the cab? Thanks Dan
Modern glue in windshields are mounted flush with the top of the window opening. You would need to devise a way to do that. Some cars use a T shaped rubber around the edges....it is pushed into the un cured 'thane to hold it. Or you could mount the glass without rubber trim by keeping a uniform gap around the edge. The glass would need to be cut perfectly though. 2 big problems stand out though...You will see the glue thru the glass(modern cars have a black etching around the edge), and how to finish around the interior edges. All these reasons are why it isn't done very often, plus it looks like crap, IMO If your goal is just to stop air/water leaks, you could mount the w/shield frame solid and seal up the gap behind/around it.
I may go with the idea of solidly mounting the stock windshield frame into the cab. The challenge will be making the seal weathertight while still making it removable in case I ever have to replace the windshield glass. Thanks for the suggestions Dan
Sounds like a better idea to me. I wanted a chrome frame around my windshield on my 41 PU because...why wouldn't you? So, I bought a 39 PU frame and chromed it. Had my glass guy mount the glass using a 39 rubber and I adapted a pair of 36 frame joint covers so you can't see the seams. Jason (glassguy extraordinaire) had some weatherstrip laying around from a vintage firetruck that he put a windscreen in and glued that to my frame and let it cure overnight. He then used his windshield urethane (or whatever that black goo they use to glue in glass) and glued the frame into the cab after "painting it" in a 3M primer he uses. Looks tight, sealed tight. He said it will be a bitch to take out but nothing he can't handle with his piano wire tool and a lot of masking tape. And the 41stock interior trim, that I had chromed as well, fits like a charm still in the factory holes. You can still see the 39 hinge holes in the frame. I need to put some chrome trim screws in those. Anyone know that thread pitch? Cool kids have to think outside the box. You are on the right track now IMO.
I gotta take the windshield out of my coupe... guitar string and 2 wood handles cuts right through the urethane glass guys tape and spray black paint on the edges so you don't see the glue... so that all you see is how horrible it looks when they are done..
I didn't have any build pics so I took some new ones. It was always intended to be a bare bones hot rod so I've never finished it off inside. I started buy welding in a bowed 1/2" square tube across the top of the opening to strengthen it. I made forms from particle board of the segments I needed to go around the existing flange of the body sheet metal and hammer formed the pieces. Welded them in, ground my welds and trimmed the inside of the opening to match what the body has and it was ready to paint. Gary
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