There are four important things you need when rebuilding any classic vehicle, you need to make it go, stop, turn in the right direction, and you need to be able to see where you’re going. New glass goes a long way in helping with the seeing part. Whether you are doing a complete rebuild or just driving and enjoying a beater, you’re more than likely going to end up messing with the glass. Fifty-plus-year-old glass is usually ready for replacement, unless of course, the bubbled and stained glass fits your truck’s patina’d motif.
There’s nothing like fresh, clear glass in a cool, classic truck. Glass replacement (especially with the aid of the aftermarket) is a restoration facet that almost any semi-accomplished classic trucker can tackle on their own.
While there are plenty of friendly, professional glass shop owners that would love to install your glass for you, our vast aftermarket industry has made it possible for you to do it yourself. Kits are available with everything you need, and while this is article covers a ’56 F-100, the basic operations are the same for any classic vehicle. Windshields and back glass are available either locally through windshield suppliers or through various aftermarket companies. Since the side glass is flat, any odd or unavailable piece can easily be made from templates by a local glass house. Think chop tops. Universal window channel and wiper felts are also around for custom applications.
Those of us that choose to rebuild the best trucks built have two of the best aftermarket suppliers to deal with. The ladies at Classic Haulers have your F-1 needs covered and their sister store, Mid Fifties F-100 Parts has anything the F-100 crowd needs. Don’t worry when you hear a friendly female voice on the phone, I guarantee she knows as much, if not more, about your truck and the parts you are talking about. So with a list in hand I gave Diane a call at Mid Fifties and put in my order. She knew exactly what I needed and even suggested a couple of thing I had forgotten I needed. When it all arrived, I noticed the glass was packed so well by their shipping department I think the delivery guy could have thrown it from the truck as he drove by and it wouldn’t have hurt it a bit. After ripping open the box and admiring my beautiful new glass and window parts, I settled in and munched my Tooties Rolls that come with every order and prepared for the chore ahead.
My order included the new front and rear window seals, window channels, stainless steel division bars, lower wiper felts, vent window seals, and the screws and bolts needed. The side glass, vent window glass, and front and rear glass was also included. The only complaint I have of the kit is I don’t like the stock mounting pins and tabs put on the window channels. I’m very particular about how my channels fit and the pins never line up with the holes correctly. In the installation photos you’ll see I carefully cut them off. I’ll use black 3M weatherstrip adhesive to glue the channels in when it’s time. This way I can have more control over the final fit of the channel end and the division bars and how it follows the opening it mounts in.
In any case, take a look at how I went about installing fresh glass in this F-100, it’s a bit of work but nothing a moderately experienced classic trucker can’t handle.
