Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Hi All! I have a 1971 Chevy C20. Just wondering if this is a major headache to replace my windshield and weather stripping since the windshield is cracked. I have some rusted areas on the inside where the rear view mirror is located ( see photos). This seems like a common problem - any/all advice on what I'm in for appreciated.

Without tearing into it, I don't know if it effects the windshield weather stripping or not.

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

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I think there is a patch panel made for that area but I don't know how wide it is. That may be a tough fix. It may not affect the seal but you will have to remove the windshield to repair it. No way to know what you will find under the rubber until you get it out.....

LockDoc

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Had same problem on my '72 GMC except the rearview mirror is on the window and not on the eyebrow panel. The most important thing in this fix is to determine where the water is coming from to rust this area in the first place. I had a small hole in roof apparently that was allowing the water in. Could be faulty sealer on drip rails allowing water underneath and undetected. I purchased the repair eyebrow panel. I had a body shop do the work since I don't have proper tools and welding equipment. They removed the window, found the leak, and cut out the rusty and damaged metal. They welded in the new eyebrow panel which came with a rearview mirror mounting pad.

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Hi Goose! Any idea as to the cost to weld in a new eyebrow panel? ThX

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Hi Goose! Any idea as to the cost to weld in a new eyebrow panel? ThX

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Roof swap is always an option..

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

That looks bad: from what I've read on here, get ready to bust out the pocketbook or get another cab. *I have the same nightmare waiting on me.

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Its totally repairable. We'll be wishing more cabs were saved as time goes on. I used to only buy rust-free trucks (meaning no rust ever/not repaired). Good luck with that now

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/Patch%20Panels.htm
http://www.classicheartbeat.com/cata...ch%20Panel.htm

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Sorry, cost is tough to estimate because it is part of the entire package. They replaced rocker panels, reskinned doors, repaired the eyebrow panel, installed new cab mounts, removed old paint to raw metal, and will repaint entire truck basecoat - clearcoat. All said and done we're talking in the $10G category. My rationale .... it's still cheaper than a new truck.

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Mine was 8 K for body and paint with minimal rust repair so your good.

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

Heres a few pics from when I fixed mine. I cut the inside seem about a half inch from the roof indent toward the windshied on the truck and put an offset bend on it with a flang tool so I didn't wind up with a visable overlap and didn't have to weld in a but joint ,worked great. Had to cut a patch out of a donor cab to fix over drivers door though.

Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield
 

It doesn't look it but the seem is completely flush after I buffed the weld a bit with a flapper disc.