55.2-59 55-59 big window conversion in progress..Questions and thoughts?

[Shanehenrymusic]

Hey Guys -

I found an article online in Custom Classic trucks on converting a small window to large window..so i took the plunge and started on the conversion. I've followed all the steps and I'm a little stuck at the moment trying to figure out what to do next. There's definitely a lot of steps that are missing in the tutorial. I'm posting some pictures - if anyone can make some suggestions or post pics of how they did it I would REALLY appreciate it. Hopefully I can still save IT.. lol. I'm at the point where there's no turning back.

Thanks
-Shane

[Shanehenrymusic]

Here's pics

[Shanehenrymusic]

more pics - My question now is how do I properly trim in big window panel? It looks like all the internal bracing needs to be removed in order for the panel to properly fit. I want to make sure its strong enough and doesn't warp or bend over time. here's the close up pics of the big window panel..

[Shanehenrymusic]

this pic shows the internal bracing - not sure if this is suppose to be cut out.. Thoughts?

[Shanehenrymusic]

anyone out there have any feedback???

[tmoble]

if you post later in the evening it might be the next afternoon before you see any response. A little patience goes a long way.

[tmoble]

Is that a Chevelle rear axle? Can't see much but it looks like you did a nice job on the angled control arm mounts.

[Kim57]

Maybe you can put a link to the article so we can take a look at what is there.
It might give us an idea on the answer you seek.
Kim

[Houston54]

I am in the process of doing the same modification to my 58. I was planning to use the same technique from the CCT article but after further investigation of the B pillar bracing I decided to replace more of the panel than they did.
I cut the donor panel off going high on the upper molding line much like the article advises but I removed all the spot welds on the B pillars and then cut along the bottom about 1.5 inch above the floor.
I did similar cuts on the small window cab but left an over-lap on the top and bottom seams which I flanged to give a seat for the donor panel to fit up against instead of using butt welds.
The key things to remember when doing this type of work is to ensure the cab is solidly braced sideways and otherways, and also to have your doors in place before welding in the panel skin to the B pillars to ensure you get a good gap and get the surfaces level with each other.
Thing I have trid to do to make sure this is successful is to rebuild all my hinges and make sure the A pillar repairs are done. That is the step I am in right now.
Here are a few pics from the start. I do not have any current pics but I hav the top seam welded out and smoothed, the B Pillars welded in at the top and tacked at the bottom, and the bottom seam is welded out. I was planning to patch the existing cab corners but have decided to change them also.

As for the B pillar bracing I sectioned out the inside surface of the Donor panel B pillar so I could insert some new metal between the cab pillar and the remains of the bracing in the donor panel. I then welded the metal I had sectioned back in.
There is also some bracing down at the door latch elevation and I am doing a similar process there. Cut some access in the donor panel, trim some new metal to replace the old bracing and weld it up.

Before closing those areas up I give the inside a coat of Zero Rust.

Good luck with your project.

[meter swinger]

Is article you are refering to the one that CIMTEX in texas did? I thought the same thing that there was some gaps in the write-up. Have you thought about contacting cimtex to see if they have some insight. I have seen this swap done about three different ways. Looks like your really close. Hats off to you for trying it.
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[STP67-72]

The 2 brothers that own and do the work at Cimtex or both nice guys. They are the ones that did the conversion a few years back. Im sure they will help you any way they can.

[Silveradobs]

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Look up "Coronas56" Big window conversion-he has done some and is a very nice guy-

[Shanehenrymusic]

Hey Guys - Thanks so much for the feedback! Yes I am trying to follow the article.. if you google "Almost paneless 56 GMC" you'll find the Custom Classic Trucks Article. There's a ton of missing steps.. I took your advise and contacted the CIMTEX... I'll be posting more pics soon... I'm puzzled as to how they were able to slip the clip in... I guess time will tell.

I do appreciate the positive encouragement.. I need it right now I'm in too deep!
Shane

[Shanehenrymusic]

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...k/viewall.html

Here's the link to the article.

[meter swinger]

Originally Posted by Shanehenrymusic

Hey Guys - Thanks so much for the feedback! Yes I am trying to follow the article.. if you google "Almost paneless 56 GMC" you'll find the Custom Classic Trucks Article. There's a ton of missing steps.. I took your advise and contacted the CIMTEX... I'll be posting more pics soon... I'm puzzled as to how they were able to slip the clip in... I guess time will tell.

I do appreciate the positive encouragement.. I need it right now I'm in too deep!
Shane

Well juding by the pics i think youre on the right track. I could never figure out how they did the pillars on the inside of the cab. And how they fanagled the clip in place. Hopefully they can keep you between the ditches. I couldnt bring myself to cut up my cab since the only thing wrong with it is that its RED...i bet it turns out fine.
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[retired1]

I am working on a 55 that a PO changed from a small to big back window. It was cut at the A pillar and the whole top and back was replaced. I will try to post a pic of what it looked like when I got it. You can see the difference in colors. Too late for you but maybe someone else can benefit

[Shanehenrymusic]

Well I've come to the conclusion that the only way to get the big window clip to fit correctly is to Seperate the inner and outer panels which is going to be a HUGE pain! This is proving to be more work than its worth...
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[ready2go69]

Any advice for some one who is thinking about a doing this project?

[Shanehenrymusic]

Well - Its been a while since I last posted on here. I FINALLY got the big window clip installed. It was pretty challenging to install - Especially since the Classic Truck's article skipped over a bunch of steps.. I jumped in there and came up with my own way of doing it.. I had to do a lot of cutting, notching and measuring. When you look at the pics you'll notice some things i did different from the article. - for instance - I didn't cut the big window clip on the inside of the cab, this gave me factory point of reference to get it perfectly lined up. In doing it this way - I had to notch the sides of the big window clip to get it to fit in.. you'll also notice that the clip is on the outside at the top and the inside at the bottom... fits really snug and once welded up and a little body work - you'll never know it wasn't factory.

Advice for anyone attempting this - its not a quick 4 hour project. I've been working on mine for about 3 weeks... to me it was worth it because I love the big window, however there is a lot of work involved. let me know your thoughts.

[Shanehenrymusic]

here.s the before pic -

[Daze57]

great work !

[Kim57]

You did a great job on it.
Kim

[Maximus]

looks fantastic! great work!
now onto something serious... those FoMoCo center caps on the mustang wheels... gotta go! hah.. just kidding.
great job on the conversion, you are a braver man than I, I just swapped the whole cab.
It helped that the Big Window cab I got my hands on had like 80% less rust than my original cab though...

[Shanehenrymusic]

Thanks ya'll - Maximus - mine was the complete opposite - my small window was rust free and I found a rusty big window cab for $150... I'll post more pics once I get her all welded up.

[ChuckDriver]

Nice work!