norms 55 chevy pu build

[NWA58]

H&H Chevy is down the street from me and the crew tuns a very good operation. Bought lots of parts from Tray and his team and can recommend them. After seeing my old wing window assemblies, the new fully assembled replacements are probably worth it.

[washington blue]

Thanks, that's good to know.

[Kevin_C]

That's good advise of installing everything before drilling. Thanks.

[washington blue]

Got these 2 wheels, American brand, made in China, lol. I knew they would fit the rear. I used them to check the backspace on the front. Backspace is the same as the junkyard ones I have on there now so I know they will fit so I ordered 2 more.

[washington blue]

Elvira approved.

[dsraven]

shiny, should look good with the darker paint

[washington blue]

Yeah, the chrome seems to look ok. It's kinda my plan, mostly blue with a sprinkling of chrome, a speck of white for no real reason except I like the white steering wheel and my wife's 2010 Camaro has that blue with white stripes. Now I'm thinking maybe a black fabric seat and black carpet to go with the black headliner. Got to learn where to get carpet tho, any thoughts?

[Jason 56]

I got my carpet and padding from yourautotrim.com it was less than $200 to do my truck.

[washington blue]

Finally got my tires mounted. To their credit the guys at the tire shop were really careful to not scratch the shiny stuff, took them a week to find the plastic covers for their tire machine. Picture is too dark but you get it. I have not put the centers on yet.

[Stepside Jim]

Truck is coming along nicely. If I focus my eyes just right, looks like Elvira is in the drivers seat.

[washington blue]

Elvira is my shop boss so I guess she can drive it if she wants.

[dsraven]

tires and wheels look great against the dark blue.

[washington blue]

Been working on carpet and the metal edging. Just some Menards angle iron with a rounded corner edge. The carpet is just a couple rugs on sale at Wal Mart. 4 foot by 6 foot each, 20 bucks each. Carpet is darker than pictures show, flash is bright I guess. Not using black carpet since it shows dirt so easily, so dark gray should work.

[washington blue]

I have some extra carpet so I made a mat, still need to trim the back side. I got my sewn center seam wet and then heated it with a hair dryer as hot as I could. Now I have some rail on it to make it really flat. Don't know if I'll even use it but it's free except for my labor.

[washington blue]

Got my windshield by Fedex yesterday form Auto City Classic in a cardboard box, lol. Cleaned the rear window so now I'm ready to put them both in. I taped some paper to the rear glass so I can see it sitting there. It is the original rear glass. Auto City Classic is just north of Minneapolis Minnesota so about 275 miles bouncing around in a truck.

[dsraven]

keep us posted on how the install goes. remember the front glass fits into the rubber on the outside of the frame, so it doesn't get "blown" into the cab from outside air pressure in front of the window. lots of guys break the glass cuz they think the window needs to be pushed further into the opening. check the rubber seal cross section to see what I mean, the glass groove is offset from the frame groove, at least in ones i have taken out.
precision has a youtube showing the install pretty well.

[washington blue]

Thanks ds, I found the video from Precision you mentioned and I have now watched it a couple times. I'll watch it a couple times more I'm sure. Good advice as usual.

[washington blue]

Well, the glass is now in!! A young man named Chris who is a pro glass installer who later admitted he has done 2 old cars in the past, did most of the work. He called a retired old glass man to ask questions while we were doing it and it went well. Took about an hour. the green plastic tool is what was used the most and the large suction cups he has were wonderful to hold on to. The Auto City Classic glass fit as it should.

we used lots of soapy water and had the rope soapy and all around the metal frame too. I had waxed the area thoroughly just before he came so that soap just wiped off with a damp cloth.

He knew not to push the windshield in too far, he said I might see the glass wiggle a bit the first couple times I drive it as it settles into place as the wind pushes it.

[8man]

Congratulations on your install. That is no fun!

[washington blue]

On the rear window we put the rubber in the opening first. He cut it about an inch too long, then we forced it into place. We did not use the rope for this, we set it in the bottom first using gravity and the green plastic tools.

Then we worked around the bottom corners at the same time, then up the sides and around the top corners at the same time. We used the green plastic tools to go across the top both pushing up from the inside and pulling out from the outside.

When there was about 3 inches left to flip out, that's when it got hard to do as most of the glass was where it wanted to be the last 3 inches tucked behind were "in the way" so that took some doing, quarter inch at a time, but it popped in when the last little bit popped out.We moved the glass right and left in the slippery grove a fraction of an inch a few times to get it centered just right. In the third picture where Chris's right hand is, straight above the large suction cup is the last 3 inch spot that was tough to get in place.

Now we are going to let it rest for a week or so, this way the rubber can get used to it's new home before putting the fill strip in. I have the fill strip straight on the floor and will put soap on it a few times to soften it as the days go by.

[dsraven]

thats awesome. not looking forward to that part. lol.
what's next?

[bowt1ed]

I may have missed it, but who's windshield gasket did you use? I used Steele with a windshield from The Car and Truck Shop, and have issues with it sitting in far enough in the bottom corners. I've taken it out, checked the dry fit, and reinstalled, but still have the same issue.

Thanks, Jim

[bowt1ed]

Originally Posted by bowt1ed

I may have missed it, but who's windshield gasket did you use? I used Steele with a windshield from The Car and Truck Shop, and have issues with it sitting in far enough in the bottom corners. I've taken it out, checked the dry fit, and reinstalled, but still have the same issue.

Thanks, Jim

Like this:

[washington blue]

Classic parts of America is where I got all my rubber. I'm no expert so I don't know if it's the best place or not, nor do I know if their rubber is the best or not.