47-55.1 Side windows

[8man]

I have had my local glass shop cut side windows for the 48 because I didn't want to use the steel framed windows. I got the thinner window channel to accommodate the glass only.

The glass shop has cut the windows twice, and they still don't fit!

Does anyone have a glass company who has cut side windows that fit?

If you have, please PM me, as I'd like to talk to you about it.

Thanks

[mr48chev]

Did you take the truck to them or are you having them guess when they cut the glass and you take it home?

[8man]

I first took them the old side windows with the metal frames to "match". I took that cut glass home and it didn't fit. So, I made some measurements where they were short or long and took those back. The re-cut new ones and they don't fit. I've made new measurements where they are short, and on the top line of one of the windows, it has a "whoop" in it, as in not straight.

I like the owner, but I think he has used two different workers to cut the glass.

[mr48chev]

Glass is one of those few things that I just hate to do and leave to the pros. I have found that making patterns out of a sheet of 1/4 inch Masonite works pretty well for going different than absolutely original.

i figure to haul my truck 180 miles to a shop that will make tempered windows for the side glass for it and have them do the whole thing. Not cheap but unless the full service glass shop that I take my OT rigs will cut the glass and send it to be tempered that is probably my best choice. I[m going to have some pretty long door glass when I am done though.

[_Ogre]

Make a hardboard template, install it and make sure it works as you want it to.
Take that template to any glass shop

[8man]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ogre. That makes sense.

[dsraven]

use hardboard, melamine sheet or plexiglass the same thickness as the glass will be. make the pattern and get it to fit like you want the glass to fit, fully assembled in the rails etc and then crank the windows up and down to ensure it all works to your standards. when good, take it all apart and have the glass made to the new pattern. don't assume both doors will be exactly the same. you may need 2 patterns.

[8man]

Again, I didn't think about the 2 doors being different, but I should have.

I see a trip to the hobby store in my future.

[dsraven]

you might try a plastic shop for some cut off plexiglass or other plastic sheet sold by the pound as leftovers, or home depot for something the right thickness but also smooth both sides.

[8man]

Home Depot is very close to me; I'll go there first. Thanks.

[_Ogre]

i thought home depot was close to everybody
i moved to the boonies 25 yrs ago, the only hd was 10 miles away
now i have 5 within those 10 miles and a lowes

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i thought home depot was close to everybody
i moved to the boonies 25 yrs ago, the only hd was 10 miles away
now i have 5 within those 10 miles and a lowes

Right? Isn't it mind blowing they will have millions of dollars of stock and there is a Lowes or another Home Depot two miles away!

Bizzare!

Brian

[8man]

OK, rider's door is a little different than the driver's door. I've got one template built, and it moves up and down pretty good. I will do the driver's side as soon as the new Jigsaw gets here from Amazon. Yeah, I knocked my 30 year old Jigsaw off the work bench and broke it.

However, WHAT are you all using for screws to hold the window lift channel to the bottom of the window? I'm having no luck finding screws that fit inside the channel, with heads that don't interfere with the operation.

[_Ogre]

Your truck window may be different, for my 58 TRUK I cut the bottom off the old side glass window frame and glued in the new glass with butly windshield adhesive. It's held up for 12years of abuse

[8man]

Ogre, thank you. Your template idea has really helped.

I'll keep the butyl in mind if I can't find some screws that will work.

[8man]

Finally, one plexiglass window has been cut and sanded to fit. I put it in the window channel with some of the black sticky tape I got from the glass shop and have been rolling it up and down making sure it fits. I finally got it where it's good.

I got the new Jigsaw delivered yesterday, so this afternoon I'll start on the driver's side. Should be easier now that I know a little more about what I'm doing.

Thank you all for the help.

[dsraven]

If you have access to a stationary disc sander or belt sander that makes quick work of the fitting part of mock up.

[8man]

Thanks Raven. I do but was worried about taking off too much with a slip up when holding that window.

I used the Jigsaw to do the rough cut, and then a 3" handheld belt sander to remove small amounts to "sneak up" on the correct size I needed. I put a pad under the plexi on the work bench, used a piece of angle iron and a couple of C clamps across the glass to hold it down, and then did one side at a time, very carefully, measuring, sanding and re-fitting until I got it where I liked it.