How to install a 60-62 windshield in 30 minutes

[Corts60]

I think we have all come across the horror threads were people have snapped their windshield, ruined gaskets, paid professionals who didn't have much luck, etc., etc.

Well, this weekend I installed the windshield in my 1960 Suburban in less than 30 minutes. And with no more help than that of my Girlfriend, using a PRECISION BRAND gasket.

Here are the steps I followed to prep for the install:

1. Thoroughly clean all old gasket material from the windshield and pinch weld area. (I took the opportunity to take the whole windshield area down to bare metal and then Prep, prime, paint. I also, polished my stainless steel trim while it was out.)

2. Lay out your new PRECISION BRAND windshield gasket and inspect it.

3. Bring both the windshield and gasket into a warm area. (For me, the living room floor became the perfect shop.)

4. Using 3M black weatherstrip adhesive and starting at the top or bottom middle of the windshield, lay a moderate bead of sealant into the groove that will hold the windshield and start pressing onto windshield. (NOTE: There is a seam on the new gasket that I placed at the top middle so it would be unnoticeable when installed.)

I did this about a foot at a time. I would lay a 12" bead, press that on to the window and then tape the gasket down. Then lay another 12" bead, press and tape, and on and on until the entire gasket was installed. This will take PATIENCE until you get one half of the gasket installed. Use a good tape that will not unpeel itself. DO NOT USE DUCT TAPE. 3M blue worked fine for me but there cannot be any grease on the window.

Be cautious around the hard curves of the windshield, it is easy to pull the gasket off. Lots and lots of tape!

IGNORE THE TRIM IN THIS PICTURE. This was a later stage, I did not get a picture of just the gasket taped on:


5. And probably the most important part, double check that the gasket is sitting on the windshield properly and taped well then LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT.

6. If you do not have custom trim, skip to STEP 9.

7. Come home from work, choose a beverage, peel off all of the tape and get ready to install the trim (if you have the custom trim package.)

8. You can install the trim top or bottom first, doesn't really matter. I did not use any adhesive to hold the trim in as the factory did not either. As I installed the trim, I again taped it along the way. At this point, I did not have time to install the windshield the same night I put the trim in so the windshield again sat overnight, taped up. I am not sure that sitting the extra night helped or not, but it could never hurt if you can wait.

*Reference above pic and this one:


9. Peel all of the remaining tape off the windshield. Get the truck/suburban in a position that you can easily get in/out/around it with no problems. I had the hood off of mine during the install which helped my girlfriend as she could stand on the engine while pushing the windshield in for me.

The INSTALL

10. So the standard method for installing these windshields is to wrap a suitable rope/cord into the groove where the pinch weld sits on the gasket. I used a thin poly string which I learned later did nothing for me. I think you'll need a cord at least 1/8" in diameter to be of any use.

11. You NEED a lubricant for the install. No question about it. I used this:



12. Spray the lubricant on the pinch weld area of the truck and on the gasket where it will sit on the pinch weld. (Protect surrounding areas as I noticed that the silicone spray spotted a little bit of my dash paint which, when noticed, was followed up with some strong cursing.)

13. Using your helper, position the windshield onto the truck ensuring that the top of the windshield is under the lip of the roof line. DO NOT try to install the bottom lip on first and then push the windshield under the roof lip, I assume this is where people have been snapping things.

14. Lay the windshield as flat as possible and centered as possible on the pinch weld.

15. This is where I found out I was using the wrong cord. As I pulled it out, nothing happened! It was too small to pull the weatherstrip with it. At this point, I looked for an area of opportunity to use a screw driver and start flipping the lip of the gasket over the pinch weld. I would RECOMMEND a nylon or plastic tool for everyone else as I suffered a few scratches during the install. I believe that the first area that wanted to seat onto the pinch weld was the upper corners of the curve. Once I got that area started, I had my helper push LIGHTLY on the outside of the windshield, following me as I slid the screwdriver behind the gasket flipping the lip over the pinch weld. (The silicone spray allowed the screwdriver to slide along like butter.) You will have to make several passes, and every time the gasket will set more and more.

16. Continue having your helper push along as you flip the gasket over the pinch weld. It is important that your helper pushes along the same area with you as you flip the gasket. Eventually, the windshield and gasket will start settling in and you will have all of the gasket over the pinch weld. You may still have to make a couple more passes with the screwdriver/tool under the gasket until the windshield is fully settled.

17. Once fully seated, go over the inside and outside and make sure everything is set properly including the custom trim if you have it.

18. ADHESIVE: You can do this one of two ways I think. You could've laid a bead of weatherstrip adhesive on the pinch weld before the install, or (what I did), after the install insert the tip of your adhesive tube under the outside lip of the windshield and slide it along the entire windshield laying a bead. You will need to wipe up any excess adhesive pretty quickly or it gets tough to clean.

19. Clean up tools, wipe off any leftover silicone spray (or leave it, it is healthy for weatherstrip) and get your finger prints off the trim and window. You are DONE!





I hope this helps everyone out!

-Cort