47-55.1 Door Glass Insallation

[Robert Andrew]

I'm baffled. I installed the one piece window, Nu-Relics electric window operators in my 51 Chevy pickup, along with Altman door latches and the Altman power door lock actuators. Then I purchased the glass run channel kit, and new door glass from LMC or Classic. The glass run channel is approximately 5/8" wide and 5/8" deep. I ruined a couple of the glass run channels trying to get them to bend uniformly without kinking and puckering up, mocked up the glass run channels and installed the glass, and everything was good. But then I tried to install the install the interior door glass garnish molding and the molding would not pull down against the interior of the door. There was gap approximately 1/4" wide. The glass run channels were seated against the exterior of the door frame and there was no way to get it to tighten up and close the gap.

It just so happened that Classic was having their annual truck show in KC, so I went to the show and looked at several other AD trucks which were there. Three or four had used custom cut 5/16" class with no metal frame, which allowed them to use a narrower glass run channel, but I wasn't able to catch any of the owners to ask them why they went that direction.

So, I went home, did some measuring, and it looked as though that might be my solution. The next day, I tracked down a guy to custom cut the glass the same dimensions as the outside dimension of the metal framed windows, $325.00 which hurt the bank, ordered some narrower glass run channels, and assembled that setup. I glued the glass run channel in place with weather strip adhesive, installed the glass, and the damned glass jumps out of the track in the glass run channels, so no worky. The glass won't raise all of the way to seal in the top of the glass run channel either.

I've looked at it from every angle that I can think of, and the perplexing question is why won't it fit back together with the original 5/8" glass run channel and the metal framed windows. I'm baffled, and frustrated as hell.

Right now I've got three cases of dynamite sitting in the bed and I'm trying to decide how long a fuse I need.

I can't be the only person the encounter that problem. Any ideas??

Thanks!