Big back window conversion

[iehotrod]

So I found the interior panel for $250 in town. The guy wants an additional $200 to install it for a total of $450. He says he did it to his own truck So I yet inspect it. It does not include the glass or rubber no biggie.

What do you all think should I go for it is it a good deal? does anyone know an expert in southern california?

[jocko]

i do not know an expert in socal - but I say GO FOR IT!!! Big Windows Rock. But I could be partial. By the way - SWEET truck!

[Woogeroo]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358955

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20880305

[tooslo60]

DO IT!!!!!!

That truck is too beautiful for that little tiny ugly slider.

[Clyde65]

$200 for install, If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I was quoted over $1k for install without paint. I changed my mind.

I would definately inspect his b4 agreeing to anything. but I also wouldnt do it, if he screws it up, your stuck with the results.

[John Gilbert]

Two-hundred bucks in So Cal buys a little over two hours of shop labor. I know guys can work out of their driveway for a lot less, but who would want to work for 5-bucks an hour? I'd say baloney.

Here's a link to the story I did while we converted my '66 to a BBW. Also an after shot from the follow-up story in the following issue.

Hope this sheds a little more light on the subject... Sorry I couldn't resist, that's a little big rear window humor... pretty bad huh?

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...ion/index.html

[chevyrestoguy]

I remember reading that article that John did. It's more work than it appears. Still, I would go look at the guy's truck and see how good of a job he did on the install. I have known some guys who have no clue on how to accurately estimate a job, and always wind up nearly working for free. This might be one of those cases. Never hurts to look, but remember, if his is already bodyworked and either in paint or primer, there might be some ugly work hiding under there. Bondo can hide a multitude of sins.

Let us know what you find out. I like your truck!

[SFTorange]

I just had mine done by my local body guy. It took him about 12 hours to remove the interior panel and install the new bbw panel. He had never done one before, but he is a very experienced body man. I also paid about $250 for my panel. If his work checks out, I'd say go for it. I think it's a pretty straight forward job. When you look at his truck, see if he maintained the factory seam between the bbw panel and the roof panel. That might be a good way to gauge the quality of his work.

Good Luck!

[firefighter736]

When I saw this thread all I could think of was this other thread I read on the Paint and Body board

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=473440

[iehotrod]

Originally Posted by jocko

i do not know an expert in socal - but I say GO FOR IT!!! Big Windows Rock. But I could be partial. By the way - SWEET truck!

Thanks!

[iehotrod]

Originally Posted by firefighter736

When I saw this thread all I could think of was this other thread I read on the Paint and Body board

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=473440

Man this makes me nervous now.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by John Gilbert

Two-hundred bucks in So Cal buys a little over two hours of shop labor. I know guys can work out of their driveway for a lot less, but who would want to work for 5-bucks an hour? I'd say baloney.

Here's a link to the story I did while we converted my '66 to a BBW. Also an after shot from the follow-up story in the following issue.

Hope this sheds a little more light on the subject... Sorry I couldn't resist, that's a little big rear window humor... pretty bad huh?

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...ion/index.html

So how did the inner panel turn out after finishing?

[64fleetside]

I have had both trucks, since its summertime I really miss the small window shade.

IMO, I'd lose the tiny slider & keep the small window. Only $200 scares me, knowing the skill/work it takes to make the inside look right.

[flips72]

if its on the up and up i would definitely do it, you will love it. its one of the best things i have done to my truck so far. oh and by the way,great looking truck.

[iehotrod]

Thanks Guys.

So I did go today and looked at his truck and as I had imagined he uses bondo or body filler. He cuts 1 1/2" below the factory seam and overlaps the new pc. on the old sheet metal after he welds them he uses filler to cover the weld. It does not look bad. But I rather go up to the factory seam using a different method other than welding. I think some people use some seam sealer used on door skins that sort of glues the two together and spot weld the rest as it was from the factory. What do ya think?

and since I asked to damage my exterior paint he said he has to work slower and charge more he wants $500 labor....LOL thats to much.

Now I did buy the inner sheet metal from him. I hope I didn't over pay. Because I drove 40 miles west towards Los Angeles and also bought a whole entire cab for the same price. check it out pics.

[joedoh]

thats how I swapped to a BBW, changed the cab.

[iehotrod]

I thinking about it. What do people do for id tag?

[joedoh]

on my 65 there are two on the cab, one barely clinging to the door frame so loosely a putty knife is in danger of popping it off, and a second on the floor just forward of the footwell underneath that is riveted on. the one on the footwell is a thick piece of bar stock. I switched from a 62 cab to a 65 cab so I just used the 65 reg and title.

[iehotrod]

Im not sure I could do anything with the original vin number since it will be turn in by the PO

[jac70ss]

Before I swapped cabs or paid someone that much $$, I would recommend finding a bbw cab and get the parts (inner panel and glass) you need. I found several at local pull-a-part yards over the year. Any cab from 60-66 will work. Your time is spent removing the panel from the donor and your cab. Nothing difficult, just time consuming. In fact, you will probably take better care removing/prepping the pieces than someone else. Once the panels are removed, place the new BBW inner panel in the cab, you now have a template to cut the opening for the rear glass in your cab. You can then spot or plug weld the panel in around the door, window and along the bottom. I would recommend a panel adhesive for the seam in the ceiling. You can panel bond everything if you wanted. I've seen one done (Flip72) and the exterior paint wasn't damaged. This way you don't run into any issues with the VIN, etc.

[yelmer]

if anybody needs a big window cab 64-66 i have one for sale in the parts area 725.00 or best fyi

[tooslo60]

Originally Posted by iehotrod

What do people do for id tag?

Call the DMV. My buddy was issued a new vin and tag for his 36 Ford 5 window in San Diego. He had it inspected at the DMV and got a new tag in the mail.

[iehotrod]

Yeah some people get weird when you tell them it was re-tagged because of the cab being swapped. I think I am going to just do the inner panel and keep my original cab. It does not have any rust except for one cab support panel and it's very little.

[yelmer]

I wonder what did when a truck was hit in the vin area and was repaired . They would not apply for a new vin? From the dmv ? I know gm sold the original rivets for the vin tags . The vin is also on the frame 2 times . Was the cab the body part or the truck or was the vin on the frame the main part of the truck . I don't know the answer. Just wondering????????????

[iehotrod]

Originally Posted by yelmer

I wonder what did when a truck was hit in the vin area and was repaired . They would not apply for a new vin? From the dmv ? I know gm sold the original rivets for the vin tags . The vin is also on the frame 2 times . Was the cab the body part or the truck or was the vin on the frame the main part of the truck . I don't know the answer. Just wondering????????????

If I understood you correctly. the your question is there is two places the cab and two places on the frame which vin location is most important and which is considered over the other. To Highway patrol and DMV, as long as they see and read one is good enough. Now future buyers may not feel 100% confortable if they cant see the most visible one and commonly used ID on the drivers door jam. Thats what Im afraid of.