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#1 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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I want to say up front. I will never do this again after I get the other one done. I have spent over 15 hrs on one vent window rebuild and it's done but it sure don't look pretty.
The rivets and tool I got was useless by myself. That was $15.00 wasted money. No instructions on how to use it and even if there where some, it's not for a one man show. With that being said I used my rivet gun and I hope it will all work out. The rubber seals are a pain to insert into the V-channel and keep them in place while you fit everything together. I have the drivers side done and I'm not looking forward to the passenger side at all. Even though I know it needs being done. I will be more than happy to pay for new vent windows next time around! It's not perfect but it does seem to work ok. So far anyway's. ![]()
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road.
Posts: 2,629
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Re: Vent window repair
15 hours, I can see why your frustated. To be honest, to me, It does not look that bad. Understood that we have expectations when attempting something for the first time maybe.
Hot water is your friend with rubber. The only thing I am noticing other than that is maybe you started with a very rusty part to begin with. |
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#3 |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,490
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Re: Vent window repair
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All vent window seals are not created equal. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=660294 Start at post #29 if you don't want to read the whole thread. LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#4 | |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Rockville,In. USA
Posts: 3,720
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Re: Vent window repair
Using a hammer with tool can be a real pitta and this definitely should have 2 people involved when using a hammer. If you have a welder cut the tip off the blind rivet setting tool and weld it to fixed end c-clamp and then use c-clamp to compress rivets. You may need to grind some on the opposite c-clamp end
so it fits best against vent window frame or you can use a small steel wedge between the c-clamp end and the vent window frame. So much easier than trying to use hammer method with tool by yourself or with someone. Paul Jr @ GMCPauls |
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: Vent window repair
Ecklers and others sell the Corvette MMI-rivet-ll tool for the vent window rivets .
![]() https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
__________________
![]() 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: Vent window repair
I think with a little welding and grinding you could use one of the setting tools and a set of c clamp vise grips to build your own rivet setting tool on the cheap .
![]() https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools.../dp/B00004T7VT
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![]() 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
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#8 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,159
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Re: Vent window repair
Andy,
I use a Arbor Press with the rivet tool. Works good for the most part. Smitty
__________________
71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time |
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#9 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Another problem I had was my rivet gun wouldn't fit inside the channel at some spots. I had to use washers to build it up but they didn't seem as tight as the other ones. I will look at building a tool for doing the passenger side. I may cut the tool in half and weld them to each side of a old c clamp that way it's narrow enough to fit inside the channels and other tight places.
If it works I may pull the drivers side back a part and redo it. ![]()
__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca
Posts: 1,210
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Re: Vent window repair
I agree on just buying new ones. I rebuilt mine, was a real PITA! I also just tried to use pop rivets and it sorta worked. Only thing is now I have more noise than before. I'm considering 1 piece window conversion as I think there would be a lot less wind noise.
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Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 822
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Re: Vent window repair
Try these links..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiZO...e_gdata_player https://www.hotrod.com/articles/repl...window-rubber/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l12NxeMVDM
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1968 C20 Fleetside 396 4sp PS PB AC CST . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWK8GgWD4uA Last edited by Astro-Balls; 12-10-2019 at 05:33 PM. |
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#12 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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I cut the rivet tool in half and welded each end to a old c clamp. I also welded a small washer on the flat side to give the rivet a centering piece. I will post pictures of it when I start on the other vent window.
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__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,335
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Re: Vent window repair
They more I read about these, the more I think I'm just going to have one of the board members doing them restore mine. Seems like a lot of work, requiring tools I'm only going to use once.
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#14 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sandown, NH
Posts: 2,819
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Re: Vent window repair
This is the tool I used to rebuild my vent windows after attempting the hammer & punch ( peace of crap ). This worked very good on most all the rivets, one or two were a bit difficult to get at, but I did get them. It is a teadious job, but if you take your time it can be done and come out nice.
Gary Quote:
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Gary 72 SWB 4x4 My 72 SWB Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259859 |
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#15 | |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Yes I'm thinking hard about buying one. I found a used one on E bay and may buy it. ![]()
__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sandown, NH
Posts: 2,819
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Re: Vent window repair
Here's how mine came out.
__________________
Gary 72 SWB 4x4 My 72 SWB Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259859 |
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#17 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#18 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 339
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Re: Vent window repair
I'm interested in what that looks like too. Sounds like that may be the way to go, especially when most of the seal kits include the hammer tool. Cut it, weld it, and go.
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#19 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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I drilled the rivets out of the passenger side today and cleaned everything up. I painted it all back like it's suppose to be. Tomorrow I will see how my make shift tool works. I didn't take the top rivets out as posted in here and hope I can get the rubber installed OK.
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__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#20 | |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
|
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__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,237
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Re: Vent window repair
The dude replacing my windows has been in the business since vintage. He says if I supply parts he'll install the door windows for $100, seals & handles included. I was planning to do everything less rebuild the vents, but it's $100.
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,704
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Re: Vent window repair
I bought the Precision seals and rivet kit with the special little punch from GMC Pauls. It did not go very well on the first one, and I had removed the rivets that hold the bottom of the triangle part.
It was impossible for me to get the rivets back in there. So I used some small screws. Using the punch for the other rivets did require my wife's help to give me some more hands for about 10 minutes of the job. For the second window I watched a video online where a guy showing how it's done took loose other rivets, but not those particular ones I had trouble with. So the second one was much easier. https://youtu.be/WiZOiHmcb_w I also did not remove the large rivet that pivots for the window. Instead, I removed the smaller rivets that hold the pivot to the frame. I found that the new rivets from GMC Paul were not drilled deep enough. So when they were completely squashed with the punch, the rivet did not hold the thin metal pieces tight in some places in the assembly. So, I had some drilling and re-doing and experimenting around and thinking about it to waste some of my time. I finally just took a little drill bit and drilled the rivets slightly deeper and it made a big difference in how easy it all was. I did some looking online to find rivets made with a deeper hole depth, and it was just too overwhelming to look into it and figure out which ones to buy, so I decided next time I do this I will simply buy the rivet kit from GMC Pauls again and drill them out a little before I begin. After this experience I feel it would be no big deal to do another set of these using the rivet punch. |
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#23 | |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 5,775
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Re: Vent window repair
I agree with leaving in those two bottom rivets in if you can help it. I found out the hard way the first time I ever messed with a set of these. The second time, leaving those two rivets in, the only issue I had was the having the right rivet gun to fit in the channel as mentioned above. I had a cheap one from Harbor Freight that had different sized tips, which were either larger or smaller based on the size of the rivet. It is a pain at times to build these windows, but by the second attempt, and even the third and fourth, you'll start feeling much more adept at it.
Good luck and have fun learning. That's part of the fun! ![]() Quote:
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2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn
70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal |
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#24 |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,490
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Re: Vent window repair
-
Any reason you couldn't grind the sides of the rivet gun tip down? At least on the ones with the interchangeable tips. LockDoc
__________________
Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#25 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Well the tool I made didn't work as I thought. It was to big to go into the channel also on the vent. But that's OK, because I used my rivet gun today and used some small washers and it worked just fine. I finished up in less than a hr. It was a smooth go this time. I also used some White Lithium Grease Spray Lubricant for the rubber and it went right into place with only hand pressure. I'm very happy with it.
Now I can finish up the cab and start on wiring the truck back up. ![]()
__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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