big back glass conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

flips72 · 03-20-2010, 09:02 PM

just wondering if anyone has changed their cab from small rear glass to the big glass using their cab. cant seem to find any threads on this, any help would be appreciated.

magooster · 03-20-2010, 09:04 PM

I planned on doing this until I bought a BBW donor cab.

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/cl...all/index.html

**aerotruk63** · 03-20-2010, 09:24 PM

I cut a BBW out of a scrap cab using a hook knife and hammer. It split the welds quite nicely. Did not have to remove the roof panel. Talking to another member, his buddy had simply used panel adhesive to glue his BBW metal inplace, then was T boned in an accident and the truck was destroyed but the panel adhesive held. If I remember correctly he used the panel adhesive through the roof section and spot welded the glass contour opening and along the door openings. There are members who spoke of welding the seam along the roof section from the inside and described how hard it was to finish the joint so that it looked good.

K-TEN · 03-20-2010, 09:47 PM

I had it done. I had a donor big back window truck. My body guy drilled out th spots and then, as Aerotruk has said, panel adhesive was used for the reinstall. No roof removal was necessary. Once the inner piece was in place, the outer piece was cut to the proper dimension of the inner piece. All painted up and pretty.

Slow Build · 03-20-2010, 10:10 PM

Mine was done by the PO. Luckily, I guess he did it right since I'm the one that put the window in after he did the work. I know he didn't remove the roof either. It's solid and you can't tell that it hasn't always been there.

markeb01 · 03-20-2010, 10:22 PM

Here's a magazine feature on how they did the conversion:

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/cl...all/index.html

flips72 · 03-20-2010, 10:46 PM

appreciate the info,now just finding a donor cab to get the inner panel out of. as far as the panel adhesive i have a friend in the auto body buisness and he swares by the 3m product.thanks again.

magooster · 03-21-2010, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markeb01

Here's a magazine feature on how they did the conversion:

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/cl...all/index.html

I already posted that link in post #2 ↑↑

JRBECK64 · 03-21-2010, 01:25 AM

Frizzle Fry cut the top off my 60 big window cab so he might have some insight on how to do this. Not sure if he has done it yet. Be worth asking.

JRBECK64

Frizzle Fry · 03-21-2010, 04:37 AM

I prefer the looks of the panel swap as opposed to the way they did "project old school." The "real" inner panels have an inset next to the window opening pinch welds (similar to the outside) so the rubber doesn't stick out as much. Gives it a more finished look

...no I have not done mine yet but I have the panel, rubber, and glass ready to go! I will be doing it as aerotruk63 described.

1968vetL-71 · 03-21-2010, 10:00 AM

I seen your in Tennessee , there is a BBW cab in the u-pull it junk yard in Nashville. Glass is there and all. You can buy the whole cab, but it's very very rusty! But you can just buy the stuff you need. It's cheap.

64c20crewcab · 03-21-2010, 06:09 PM

Here is the setup I thought bout using for swapping out the rear window in my crew cab...http://www.classicbigwindow.com/

flips72 · 03-23-2010, 09:49 PM

lord willing,headed to nashville saturday morning. thanks again.

collins10672 · 03-24-2010, 01:29 AM

i have never done this conversion myself,but i have seen it done and it looked 100% original.it was done the way aerotruck described.panel adhesive for top joint and everything else welded back like original.good luck.

flips72 · 03-27-2010, 03:23 PM

just got back from nashville..scored cab with good inner panel, and a good big glass for 146.00,thanks again. special thank you to 1968vetl-71 for the pull-a-part info.

collins10672 · 03-28-2010, 12:00 AM

i know what you mean about those pull a part deals.i found a perfect 64-66 roof last summer in knoxville,but i didn't have a saw with me lol.good score on your cab panels.

1968vetL-71 · 03-28-2010, 10:01 AM

No prob flips! Glad too help. I was going to cut out the floor hump ( it's very nice ) but I decided to try to find a high hump instead.

flips72 · 03-28-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1968vetL-71

No prob flips! Glad too help. I was going to cut out the floor hump ( it's very nice ) but I decided to try to find a high hump instead.

if you need this one you are welcome to it. are you planning on going to the april rod run in pigeon forge, if so i will cut it out and bring it with me. we are coming up for the day on saturday. no charge.

flips72 · 03-28-2010, 08:13 PM

it also has a pretty nice roof if someone needs it.

jac70ss · 04-08-2010, 12:06 PM

Interestingly, I too bought a bbw cab from Pull a Part in Memphis. I'm a little confused by the comments regarding "roof section". after looking at my cab, was going to remove the inner panel as follows:

separate spot welds around back glass.
" " at base of panel behind gas tank
" " around door openings
" " across top of windshield pinch weld.

I was most likely going to use the adhesive as well around back glass, front windshield. will weld around door and lower rear of panel. Is there a roof section i'm overlooking?

Frizzle Fry · 04-08-2010, 12:55 PM

Going from small to big you don't have to bother seperating the spot welds along the old window pinch. Just slice it outside the welds. Later you will trim the outer opening to match the big inner.

Instead of taking the whole roof panel out, what I've seen done and plan to do is slice the old inner panel just behind the upper/rear seam. Then clean up the flange on the remaining inner roof panel. This is the seam location where panel ashesive is used for the new back panel.

Around the doors (rear section only) and behind the gas tank are the areas where spot welds need to be sperated.

jac70ss · 04-08-2010, 02:58 PM

So you don't take the entire inner panel out, only the rear half. Makes sense and saves time too i would imagine.

flips72 · 04-09-2010, 05:00 PM

just got my inner panel out of my truck. i only removed the back half as well. very scary to a novice, turned out it wasnt that bad.i drilled out the spot welds around the doors and back of cab then using a sawsall cut out around back glass, instead of drilling out welds. used a 4 inch grinder with a cut off wheel to trim across inner panel (about a 1/4 inch to the side i removed) then took a pair of side cutters and rolled the metal towards the spot welds, when i came to a weld twist hard and they will break loose then just dress them up with a grinder.

flips72 · 04-09-2010, 05:06 PM

soon to be bbw

collins10672 · 04-09-2010, 05:26 PM

looking good,and thats really a nice truck too.post more pic's when you get it finished.

03-20-2010, 09:02 PM	#1
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	big back glass conversion just wondering if anyone has changed their cab from small rear glass to the big glass using their cab. cant seem to find any threads on this, any help would be appreciated.

03-20-2010, 09:24 PM	#3
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,627	Re: big back glass conversion I cut a BBW out of a scrap cab using a hook knife and hammer. It split the welds quite nicely. Did not have to remove the roof panel. Talking to another member, his buddy had simply used panel adhesive to glue his BBW metal inplace, then was T boned in an accident and the truck was destroyed but the panel adhesive held. If I remember correctly he used the panel adhesive through the roof section and spot welded the glass contour opening and along the door openings. There are members who spoke of welding the seam along the roof section from the inside and described how hard it was to finish the joint so that it looked good. __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1

03-20-2010, 09:47 PM	#4
K-TEN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Epsom, NH Posts: 114	Re: big back glass conversion I had it done. I had a donor big back window truck. My body guy drilled out th spots and then, as Aerotruk has said, panel adhesive was used for the reinstall. No roof removal was necessary. Once the inner piece was in place, the outer piece was cut to the proper dimension of the inner piece. All painted up and pretty.

03-20-2010, 10:10 PM	#5
Slow Build Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Delta Posts: 2,163	Re: big back glass conversion Mine was done by the PO. Luckily, I guess he did it right since I'm the one that put the window in after he did the work. I know he didn't remove the roof either. It's solid and you can't tell that it hasn't always been there. __________________ Name: Rich Current Ride: 1964 C-10 Short Fleetside Daily Driver: 2005 GMC crew cab short fleetside /2001 Chevy Tahoe Past GM Trucks: 1959 GMC short stepside 1968 GMC short stepside-4x4 1973 Chevy short stepside 1989 Chevy short fleetside-reg cab 1993 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab 2002 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab Save the dinosaurs, use synthetic oil.

03-20-2010, 10:22 PM	#6
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: big back glass conversion Here's a magazine feature on how they did the conversion: http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/cl...all/index.html

03-20-2010, 09:04 PM	#2
magooster '65 GMC Project Join Date: May 2005 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 653	Re: big back glass conversion I planned on doing this until I bought a BBW donor cab. http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/cl...all/index.html __________________ Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder 1965 GMC project 1999 GMC Safari (daily driver) 2005 Scion XB (Wifey's car)

03-20-2010, 10:46 PM	#7
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	Re: big back glass conversion appreciate the info,now just finding a donor cab to get the inner panel out of. as far as the panel adhesive i have a friend in the auto body buisness and he swares by the 3m product.thanks again.

03-21-2010, 01:25 AM	#9
JRBECK64 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cornelius Oregon Posts: 1,073	Re: big back glass conversion Frizzle Fry cut the top off my 60 big window cab so he might have some insight on how to do this. Not sure if he has done it yet. Be worth asking. JRBECK64

03-21-2010, 04:37 AM	#10
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: big back glass conversion I prefer the looks of the panel swap as opposed to the way they did "project old school." The "real" inner panels have an inset next to the window opening pinch welds (similar to the outside) so the rubber doesn't stick out as much. Gives it a more finished look ...no I have not done mine yet but I have the panel, rubber, and glass ready to go! I will be doing it as aerotruk63 described.

03-21-2010, 10:00 AM	#11
1968vetL-71 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Murfreesboro, Tn Posts: 1,092	Re: big back glass conversion I seen your in Tennessee , there is a BBW cab in the u-pull it junk yard in Nashville. Glass is there and all. You can buy the whole cab, but it's very very rusty! But you can just buy the stuff you need. It's cheap. __________________ 1969 impala conv 427 #s loaded. dad bought new 1969 "Judge" RA-3, rare warwick blue/white, #'s 1968 vet convertible #s 427/435 tripower (sold) 1968 belair 2door post #s 427/385 1936 ford 5w coupe dads 1st car 1969 camaro ss (17,xxx) miles Wanted: 69-72 suburban project, 69 camaro convertible. also any big block cars. 69-70 gto judge project.

03-21-2010, 06:09 PM	#12
64c20crewcab Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North SD County Posts: 631	Re: big back glass conversion Here is the setup I thought bout using for swapping out the rear window in my crew cab...http://www.classicbigwindow.com/ __________________ ..............................._________ ......___________//___[[___{\ _____ ...../__(_(O)_)___/____/____/_(O)_/ 1964 C20 Long Stepside 3 Door Crew Cab - Armbruster-Stageway Conversion Y2K INDN Chief "ONE OF A KIND, NOT ONE OF THE CROWD" Aug 2010 - Front end frame cleanup & engine swap done!!! June 2011 - Rear end bagged Sept 2011 - Rebuild motor top end Sept 2012 - Parked and slowly working on it. Aug 2013 - Front end bagged - finally! Aug 2014 - Stepside swap conversion done. Finally ready to start bodywork! Have a few KEWL ideas... Here is my build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=335427

03-23-2010, 09:49 PM	#13
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	Re: big back glass conversion lord willing,headed to nashville saturday morning. thanks again.

03-24-2010, 01:29 AM	#14
collins10672 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: bean station tennessee Posts: 398	Re: big back glass conversion i have never done this conversion myself,but i have seen it done and it looked 100% original.it was done the way aerotruck described.panel adhesive for top joint and everything else welded back like original.good luck.

03-27-2010, 03:23 PM	#15
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	Re: big back glass conversion just got back from nashville..scored cab with good inner panel, and a good big glass for 146.00,thanks again. special thank you to 1968vetl-71 for the pull-a-part info.

03-28-2010, 12:00 AM	#16
collins10672 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: bean station tennessee Posts: 398	Re: big back glass conversion i know what you mean about those pull a part deals.i found a perfect 64-66 roof last summer in knoxville,but i didn't have a saw with me lol.good score on your cab panels.



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03-28-2010, 10:01 AM	#17
1968vetL-71 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Murfreesboro, Tn Posts: 1,092	Re: big back glass conversion No prob flips! Glad too help. I was going to cut out the floor hump ( it's very nice ) but I decided to try to find a high hump instead. __________________ 1969 impala conv 427 #s loaded. dad bought new 1969 "Judge" RA-3, rare warwick blue/white, #'s 1968 vet convertible #s 427/435 tripower (sold) 1968 belair 2door post #s 427/385 1936 ford 5w coupe dads 1st car 1969 camaro ss (17,xxx) miles Wanted: 69-72 suburban project, 69 camaro convertible. also any big block cars. 69-70 gto judge project.

03-28-2010, 08:13 PM	#19
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	Re: big back glass conversion it also has a pretty nice roof if someone needs it.

04-08-2010, 12:06 PM	#20
jac70ss Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 49	Re: big back glass conversion Interestingly, I too bought a bbw cab from Pull a Part in Memphis. I'm a little confused by the comments regarding "roof section". after looking at my cab, was going to remove the inner panel as follows: separate spot welds around back glass. " " at base of panel behind gas tank " " around door openings " " across top of windshield pinch weld. I was most likely going to use the adhesive as well around back glass, front windshield. will weld around door and lower rear of panel. Is there a roof section i'm overlooking?

04-08-2010, 12:55 PM	#21
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: big back glass conversion Going from small to big you don't have to bother seperating the spot welds along the old window pinch. Just slice it outside the welds. Later you will trim the outer opening to match the big inner. Instead of taking the whole roof panel out, what I've seen done and plan to do is slice the old inner panel just behind the upper/rear seam. Then clean up the flange on the remaining inner roof panel. This is the seam location where panel ashesive is used for the new back panel. Around the doors (rear section only) and behind the gas tank are the areas where spot welds need to be sperated.

04-08-2010, 02:58 PM	#22
jac70ss Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 49	Re: big back glass conversion So you don't take the entire inner panel out, only the rear half. Makes sense and saves time too i would imagine.

04-09-2010, 05:00 PM	#23
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	Re: big back glass conversion just got my inner panel out of my truck. i only removed the back half as well. very scary to a novice, turned out it wasnt that bad.i drilled out the spot welds around the doors and back of cab then using a sawsall cut out around back glass, instead of drilling out welds. used a 4 inch grinder with a cut off wheel to trim across inner panel (about a 1/4 inch to the side i removed) then took a pair of side cutters and rolled the metal towards the spot welds, when i came to a weld twist hard and they will break loose then just dress them up with a grinder. Attached Images

04-09-2010, 05:06 PM	#24
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	Re: big back glass conversion soon to be bbw Attached Images

04-09-2010, 05:26 PM	#25
collins10672 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: bean station tennessee Posts: 398	Re: big back glass conversion looking good,and thats really a nice truck too.post more pic's when you get it finished.

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