Need help with windshield frame

[Heydanl]

Hi all,
Does anyone have a bare (preferably factory) windshield frame out there who can take a measurement for me? I need the inside to inside dimension of the very upper edge of the pinch weld flanges. I've been stalled on this area for some time now, any help would be VERY much appreciated. It's around 57", I believe, but I want to be sure before I start welding it all up.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Heydanl

Hi all,
Does anyone have a bare (preferably factory) windshield frame out there who can take a measurement for me? I need the inside to inside dimension of the very upper edge of the pinch weld flanges. I've been stalled on this area for some time now, any help would be VERY much appreciated. It's around 57", I believe, but I want to be sure before I start welding it all up.

I can on Wednesday if no one replies in the meantime.

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by Spf79

I can on Wednesday if no one replies in the meantime.

Thank you Spf79, it would be very much appreciated. I was looking at it again today and hoping I could impose on you for a couple other measurements. If you could hook your tape on the outside of the gutter on one side, right where it would meet the fibreglass top and measure to the outside of the other and then do the same on the seal flanges, I would owe you my first born.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Heydanl

Thank you Spf79, it would be very much appreciated. I was looking at it again today and hoping I could impose on you for a couple other measurements. If you could hook your tape on the outside of the gutter on one side, right where it would meet the fibreglass top and measure to the outside of the other and then do the same on the seal flanges, I would owe you my first born.

Can do buddy, i get it.

[hemi43]

Well, if it was me, I would install the glass and the gasket before you weld it up. If you don't get that window opening correct, it will bite you later. I did a Dodge truck 20 years ago and the opening was tight. Was a nightmare and an expensive mistake/

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Well, if it was me, I would install the glass and the gasket before you weld it up. If you don't get that window opening correct, it will bite you later. I did a Dodge truck 20 years ago and the opening was tight. Was a nightmare and an expensive mistake/

Yep, that is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. That's why the request for help. It's weird, I know C10 cab and Blazer windshield frames are supposed to be the same, but I don't think they are. I have the dash bolted to the A pillars to set the width at the bottom of the WS frame. I measured a 67 cab WS frame for this measurement and it was 56 3/4". But when I set the top of the A pillars at that, the WS seems to fit with an even gap all around, but the header repair pieces are too long. If I open the gap at the top to where the header repair pieces seem to fit, the gap between WS side edge and A pillar is bigger at the top than the bottom. My truck was cut apart when I got it and my top was wrecked, so I don't really have anything to go on.

[raggedjim]

I just checked my jimmy and got these measurements;

1. 56-3/4"
2. 60-9/16" (my flanges are kinda bent out, yours look bent in, so this may vary)
3. 55-5/8"

I would think the first is the most important.

Good luck, Rg

[Heydanl]

Thank you Roger. Very very much appreciated. Now I'm curious though. If anybody else is reading this and can take measurements, please do it. I'd like to see if there's any significant variation in this particular area. It could come in handy for future builders.

[Spf79]

Here is what I came up with today.

Sorry for the poor quality pics, I was on a rickety stool when doing this. Holding the tape measure still with one hand while trying to snap a pic with the other required far more athletic ability than I possess.

I pick my body up next week from the Rhino Liner, I will have some help when that day arrives, so I should be able to provide some cleaner pictures.

I had tape measure catch on the outside of the weather stripping lip, and on the outside of the drip rail up top. I pushed the front of the tape measure into the top corner of the window channel and held it there the best I could while taking the pic.
That one may be off a bit, it looked straight when I was doing it, but the picture makes it look like I was bowed out on the tape. .

I can re-measure, just let me know if you need more. I'm happy to help.

[raggedjim]

Looks close to my measurements, so that's good!

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Looks close to my measurements, so that's good!

Ha!, I was happy to see that as well since it has been so long since I tore this thing apart. Always afraid something has been damaged during all of my back and forth.

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by Spf79

Ha!, I was happy to see that as well since it has been so long since I tore this thing apart. Always afraid something has been damaged during all of my back and forth.

Holy acrobatics Batman, I wasn't expecting that. That is truly going above and beyond the call. I thought you'd just put a tape on them and tell me what you saw. Pretty impressive. Now, at the risk of sounding like an unappreciative jackass, would you please re-measure as you offered? I only ask because I have done exactly what you describe and could never get accurate measurements. It's just too hard to do with only two hands and balancing on less-than-steady stools. Your measurements look to be right in line with ragged jim's, But could you please double check? Thank you for this.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Heydanl

Holy acrobatics Batman, I wasn't expecting that. That is truly going above and beyond the call. I thought you'd just put a tape on them and tell me what you saw. Pretty impressive. Now, at the risk of sounding like an unappreciative jackass, would you please re-measure as you offered? I only ask because I have done exactly what you describe and could never get accurate measurements. It's just too hard to do with only two hands and balancing on less-than-steady stools. Your measurements look to be right in line with ragged jim's, But could you please double check? Thank you for this.

Lol, no problem at all, I just wanted to make sure I replied with something today.
It will be either Monday or Tuesday next week. Sound good?

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by Spf79

Lol, no problem at all, I just wanted to make sure I replied with something today.
It will be either Monday or Tuesday next week. Sound good?

Sounds great! Thanks much

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by Spf79

Lol, no problem at all, I just wanted to make sure I replied with something today.
It will be either Monday or Tuesday next week. Sound good?

Hi again SPF, I hate to pester, but did you get a chance to re-measure?

[raggedjim]

Just thought I'd add, I checked each dimension 3 times (it's the engineer in me...).

Good luck, Rg

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Just thought I'd add, I checked each dimension 3 times (it's the engineer in me...).

Good luck, Rg

If you screw up, the Tool & Die maker will fix it! LOL, couldn't resist.

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by hemi43

If you screw up, the Tool & Die maker will fix it! LOL, couldn't resist.

I really appreciate your diligence Roger. And thanks for picking up a tape and helping out. A lot of folks couldn't be bothered.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by Heydanl

A lot of folks couldn't be bothered.

Probably because most of us have a windshield and couldn't get the measurement you wanted.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Probably because most of us have a windshield and couldn't get the measurement you wanted.

That's true, I looked at my blazer but there's no way to bet those measurements with a windshield or door seals in the way.

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Probably because most of us have a windshield and couldn't get the measurement you wanted.

Fair enough. That was more a *****y rant regarding the general state of the world, probably not appropriate for this forum. Guys here seem to be pretty good helping out if they can. Mea culpa.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by hemi43

If you screw up, the Tool & Die maker will fix it! LOL, couldn't resist.

Don't I know it! I've always been lucky to work with great people.

[hemi43]

Do you have a windshield and gasket? If you don't want to install the glass in the truck, then put the windshield on a work bench and put the gasket around it. You can then measure the channel in the gasket to get the measurements you need. The window opening is not something you want to guess at. If it's too tight after paint, you will have a can of worms on your hands.

[Heydanl]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Do you have a windshield and gasket? If you don't want to install the glass in the truck, then put the windshield on a work bench and put the gasket around it. You can then measure the channel in the gasket to get the measurements you need. The window opening is not something you want to guess at. If it's too tight after paint, you will have a can of worms on your hands.

Good tip Hemi. I'll need to get a gasket, but that's easy. Thanks for your input.