Struggling with windshield trim

[Mryan]

I removed my windshield and purchased a new seal and trim for my 71 GMC. I am ready to assemble and put back in and am struggling with the trim strips in the seal. I have the seal installed on the glass and am fitting the trim without lube and get about halfway down and the trim pops back out of the seal. I have tried holding it in with tape and getting some help holding it in but keeps popping back out. It looks like to me the new seal is too far down in the back (farthest from the glass) to hold the trim in place once in. Anyone have any suggestions or tips?

[rockyrivermark]

Here's what I've found with the same struggles along with many others here.
1. There are two types of trim and seal so make sure you have the correct one and they match each other. There is a seal and trim with a short leg on the trim (71-72) and there is a long leg that the leg actually goes behind the glass (69-70)
2. Aftermarket trim doesn't fit! Find OEM used trim.
Search the forum and you'll find some more good info on it also
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Mark

[Steve Cole]

I was told you need to install the trim in the seal first, then install the windshield with the seal/trim together. Can someone confirm this?

[rockyrivermark]

Yes that is correct.

[Artofdeath]

I found this video on how to replace the glass, if you haven't seen it yet it maybe worth a watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOXTbtjq_mc

[davepl]

Make absolutely sure you have the right seal for your year and stainless trim. They changed depths one year and the stuff from later will NOT work with the earlier seal and vice versa, it's just impossible.

Trouble is even if you have the right stuff it can still SEEM impossible so that's not informative; but check to make doubly sure the part numbers are right for your year!

[randy.powell]

So the 67-70 trim "L" channel is 5/8" long and the 71-72 trim "L" is 3/8" long. Make sure you have the proper gasket for the year of trim you are using. The truck doesn't care which version you use as long as it's a matched set. A large number of us have switched to the 67-70 OEM trim w/matching Precision gasket in hopes that it would be the magic solution. It's not.

You will never get the aftermarket trim to work The angles and curvature to the long top piece are not even close to the OEM pieces.

You can read on the forum for hours about the difficulties we all have with something that shouldn't be so difficult.

Something else I found is that the glass you have to buy today is 7mm thick. My old windshield (circa 1980's Safelite etched "made in USA") is 9mm thick.

I ended up using my old windshield with the 67-70 trim with the correct Precision gasket after cracking the piece of crap aftermarket PGW (stamped Made in China) glass cracked during install at about 98% of the process. I'm still trying to locate Pittsburg, China to no avail...

On the second attempt, we had success with the thicker (old) windshield, 67-70 stainless trim w/matching gasket. Fortunately I kept my old windshield in the shop and it cleaned up amazingly well. No chips, scratches, or fogging. Was the installation perfect? Heck no, about a 90% solution.

The whole process is so miserable that a lot of guys are not even putting the trim back on...

Anyway, wish you the best of luck.
Randy




















5

[davepl]

A friend and I had mine in and out about 10 times but could never get it perfect with the trim. I wound up taking it in because I found a place with a guy old enough to have done them back in the day, and he managed it! So I would have deemed it impossible until I actually saw it completed...

[Artofdeath]

Mryan, please let us know how you make out. If you are able to get it done and how or if you decided to go another way.

Thanks!

[Mryan]

I'm going after it again tonight with a few fresh ideas from everyone. I'll let you know how I fare..

[rockyrivermark]

Ive read some swear Ky jelly in gasket groove helps a lot.

[darrellyates]

We used aftermarket trim, gasket from Precision, and a reproduction windshield. There has to be a little work performed to accomplish this, but it can be done.

Yes, the curve of the trim was off a little on the passenger side upper. This was corrected by gently trimming "V's" into the back of the trim to get it to bite and stay in the groove.

Made sure the gasket and trim are for the same year. They are correct, there are 2 different gaskets and trim pieces.

Lastly, you do install the gasket and then the trim on the glass first. Use plenty of lubricant when you pull the gasket into the windshield (with a rope or string). Some open hand persuasion was required to get it to properly go into the groove. (Yes, gently pressing and tapping of the glass into the opening.)

An "Old Time" window guy did both of mine. You can say they fit/don't fit. Mine look pretty darn good. My truck did not come with the trim on the glass, but I think it makes the truck.

It can be done. Just trying to encourage.

Stay after it, you will ultimately win!!

[Grumpy old man]

There are 2 different gaskets and sets of trim , the 67-70 trim sits deeper in the gasket ,The gasket is installed on the glass first then the trim is inserted into the gasket . mark center lines on the glass / gasket / and truck to help the install process . it's best if you can assemble the glass and trim tape it all in place then let it sit in a warm spot until your ready to install. It's way easier than everyone makes it out to be .

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by darrellyates

We used aftermarket trim, gasket from Precision, and a reproduction windshield. There has to be a little work performed to accomplish this, but it can be done.

Yes, the curve of the trim was off a little on the passenger side upper. This was corrected by gently trimming "V's" into the back of the trim to get it to bite and stay in the groove.

Made sure the gasket and trim are for the same year. They are correct, there are 2 different gaskets and trim pieces.

Lastly, you do install the gasket and then the trim on the glass first. Use plenty of lubricant when you pull the gasket into the windshield (with a rope or string). Some open hand persuasion was required to get it to properly go into the groove. (Yes, gently pressing and tapping of the glass into the opening.)

An "Old Time" window guy did both of mine. You can say they fit/don't fit. Mine look pretty darn good. My truck did not come with the trim on the glass, but I think it makes the truck.

It can be done. Just trying to encourage.

Stay after it, you will ultimately win!!

Where did you buy your trim?
Thanks
Mark

[Mryan]

I purchased seal and trim from GMC Pauls, the trim ultimately shipped from Brothers

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by Mryan

I purchased seal and trim from GMC Pauls, the trim ultimately shipped from Brothers

That's great info for us who struggle.
Long leg trim 69-70 or
Short leg trim 71-72?
I'm guessing the short leg is easier?

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by rockyrivermark

That's great info for us who struggle.
Long leg trim 69-70 or
Short leg trim 71-72?
I'm guessing the short leg is easier?

No. The long trim is easier it stays in the gasket better --67-70

[darrellyates]

Originally Posted by rockyrivermark

That's great info for us who struggle.
Long leg trim 69-70 or
Short leg trim 71-72?
I'm guessing the short leg is easier?

The previous answer you got I agree with. My cab is actually a 1970. That's what I ordered everything for. The longer trim does seem to work a little better according to what I've seen.

Again, it took a little time and I had a professional. Mine is fine.

[darrellyates]

Originally Posted by rockyrivermark

Where did you buy your trim?
Thanks
Mark

Trim came from LMC. Rear Glass and Gasket were from Southern Kentucky. On the front windshield, the installer supplied the glass and gasket, and used the aftermarket trim from LMC.

Side glass is a Brother's kit. Of all the various stuff, the side glass weatherstripping with the chrome fit worst of all...

[davepl]

Wait... you got the trim installed, but not installed with the glass? That was never the challenge for me, that always went pretty smooth! It wasn't until I tried to rope it in that it'd pop out on me. Good luck to you!

[Artofdeath]

Great news! Hope it goes well! Please call me Art, Death is so Formal!

[Mryan]

Am I screwed and have to start over or has anyone successfully installed this trim while the window is in place?

[Mryan]

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[Mryan]