Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lugnutz65 · 02-12-2014, 09:56 PM

I like the big back window trucks. However, I don't have the fabrication skills to do the BBW conversion.

If this idea is dumb, please just say so. I want honesty. Don't patronize.

Look at the pics below. I photoshopped the 2nd pic. It is NOT a BBW but rather a small back window made WIDER. In my mind, the fab work would be much easier and finding a donor would be very easy because SBW trucks are so common.

I want some folks with fab skills to give some input on this.

**aerotruk63** · 02-12-2014, 09:58 PM

It's the curve on the inside panel that will limit the small window stretch.

Lugnutz65 · 02-12-2014, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

It's the curve on the inside panel that will limit the small window stretch.

Can you explain more?

Here's the inside and the inner wall curves at the corners. Maybe it could be widened but not as wide as I made in my photoshop version?

corvettejim1968 · 02-12-2014, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

I like the big back window trucks. However, I don't have the fabrication skills to do the BBW conversion.

If this idea is dumb, please just say so. I want honesty. Don't patronize.

Look at the pics below. I photoshopped the 2nd pic. It is NOT a BBW but rather a small back window made WIDER. In my mind, the fab work would be much easier and finding a donor would be very easy because SBW trucks are so common.

I want some folks with fab skills to give some input on this.

im not sure if you are aware you can buy a conversion kit like mine. it was just under $500

63burban · 02-12-2014, 11:31 PM

Paint the panel around the small window black or charcoal ?

sigshooter · 02-12-2014, 11:54 PM

Check out my build thread, I am doing the conversion now. It will be much easier than trying this.

theastronaut · 02-13-2014, 02:20 AM

That would require two donors, then fitting and butt-welding the panels into both the inner and outer panels- lots of fitting, welding, grinding, and bodywork to get the weld seams right. A factory BBW donor would only require spot welding around its edges- no grinding or bodywork needed. The outer panel is cut but no fitting/butt-welding has to be done, only spot welded around the pinchweld for the outer panel.

Another consideration is that the tapered upper roll around a small window's opening would be tough to get right when welding two pieces together; fitting them would be fine but the taper from narrow at the edges to wider in the middle wouldn't look right. You'd have to fab a new rolled upper edge with an even taper side-to-side so it would look right. Even if you did it the wide small window, the height wouldn't match the other windows so the proportions would be off.

LostMy65 · 02-13-2014, 02:36 AM

To me it's an interesting look, but I don't see it being necessarily less fab work than just doing a full bbw conversion.

corvettejim1968 · 02-13-2014, 08:33 AM

here are some pictures from my conversion

Lugnutz65 · 02-13-2014, 09:30 AM

I'd like to thank everyone for the input. My lack of experience is showing. The BBW conversion looks like something I'll leave for those more experienced than me. I need to get some practice time with a welder before I take on any big challenges like the BBW.
Thanks again.

wayno · 02-13-2014, 09:50 AM

To me its the cutting that's tricky - the welding if you have a mig is not that difficult to get decent at - it's not like laying a bead on a frame - it's spot weld and move and spot and move... you could definitely handle that part. Easier than you think... just can't use a stick welder which is where some people go wrong - mig or tig and you be surprised how good you get quick - no bs. Good luck with your build.

racecougar · 02-13-2014, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvettejim1968

im not sure if you are aware you can buy a conversion kit like mine. it was just under $500

Could you post a link to said kit?

jonzcustomshop · 02-13-2014, 01:52 PM

I like the look that you created of the small window widened... that said it would be 10X the fab work to do that , instead of just doing the stock bbw conversion... some on here have even done the conversion without having to re-do the paint.

corvettejim1968 · 02-13-2014, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racecougar

Could you post a link to said kit?

http://classicbigwindow.com/

it looks like it is $499.99 now

racecougar · 02-13-2014, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvettejim1968

http://classicbigwindow.com/

it looks like it is $499.99 now

Thanks. I hadn't seen that kit/method before.

cortcomp · 02-13-2014, 04:07 PM

The kit looks cool, but you'll have work blending those side panels in to look good inside.

With some panel adhesive and a cheap spot welder, you could knock out the bbw conversion in a weekend with no welding skills. food for thought.

02-12-2014, 09:56 PM	#1
Lugnutz65 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,927	Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? I like the big back window trucks. However, I don't have the fabrication skills to do the BBW conversion. If this idea is dumb, please just say so. I want honesty. Don't patronize. Look at the pics below. I photoshopped the 2nd pic. It is NOT a BBW but rather a small back window made WIDER. In my mind, the fab work would be much easier and finding a donor would be very easy because SBW trucks are so common. I want some folks with fab skills to give some input on this. __________________ My 65 C10 build: www.lugnutz65chevystepside.weebly.com Want to know more about T5 transmissions? My website has a T5 Info Page and a Step by Step T5 rebuild.

02-12-2014, 09:58 PM	#2
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,627	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? It's the curve on the inside panel that will limit the small window stretch. __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1

02-12-2014, 11:31 PM	#5
63burban Chevy addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: Iron Ridge, WI Posts: 1,085	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? Paint the panel around the small window black or charcoal ?

02-12-2014, 11:54 PM	#6
sigshooter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tahlequah, Ok Posts: 1,235	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? Check out my build thread, I am doing the conversion now. It will be much easier than trying this. __________________ 1965 long bed ( grandpas old truck ) 1964 long bed BBW Custom Cab 1966 Short stepside 1964 long bed 1965 long bed Custom Cab, factory air, V-8, powerglide

02-13-2014, 02:20 AM	#7
theastronaut Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 3,901	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? That would require two donors, then fitting and butt-welding the panels into both the inner and outer panels- lots of fitting, welding, grinding, and bodywork to get the weld seams right. A factory BBW donor would only require spot welding around its edges- no grinding or bodywork needed. The outer panel is cut but no fitting/butt-welding has to be done, only spot welded around the pinchweld for the outer panel. Another consideration is that the tapered upper roll around a small window's opening would be tough to get right when welding two pieces together; fitting them would be fine but the taper from narrow at the edges to wider in the middle wouldn't look right. You'd have to fab a new rolled upper edge with an even taper side-to-side so it would look right. Even if you did it the wide small window, the height wouldn't match the other windows so the proportions would be off. __________________ Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc

02-13-2014, 02:36 AM	#8
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? To me it's an interesting look, but I don't see it being necessarily less fab work than just doing a full bbw conversion. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

02-13-2014, 08:33 AM	#9
corvettejim1968 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 946	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? here are some pictures from my conversion __________________ Hand Made Factory reproduction A/C vents text or call 602-361-6421 Website for A/C vents https://coolc10.com/

02-13-2014, 09:30 AM	#10
Lugnutz65 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,927	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? I'd like to thank everyone for the input. My lack of experience is showing. The BBW conversion looks like something I'll leave for those more experienced than me. I need to get some practice time with a welder before I take on any big challenges like the BBW. Thanks again. __________________ My 65 C10 build: www.lugnutz65chevystepside.weebly.com Want to know more about T5 transmissions? My website has a T5 Info Page and a Step by Step T5 rebuild.

02-13-2014, 09:50 AM	#11
wayno Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Woolwich Twp, NJ Posts: 445	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? To me its the cutting that's tricky - the welding if you have a mig is not that difficult to get decent at - it's not like laying a bead on a frame - it's spot weld and move and spot and move... you could definitely handle that part. Easier than you think... just can't use a stick welder which is where some people go wrong - mig or tig and you be surprised how good you get quick - no bs. Good luck with your build. __________________ 64 Step Side - The Mistress

02-13-2014, 01:52 PM	#13
jonzcustomshop 1961 crewcab Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 6,164	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? I like the look that you created of the small window widened... that said it would be 10X the fab work to do that , instead of just doing the stock bbw conversion... some on here have even done the conversion without having to re-do the paint. __________________ 60 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280904 61 crew build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=646830 63 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=336537 64 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448681 65 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590715 65 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=281955

02-13-2014, 04:07 PM	#16
cortcomp Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: cortland, oh Posts: 792	Re: Small WIDE back window. Dumb idea - or could it work? The kit looks cool, but you'll have work blending those side panels in to look good inside. With some panel adhesive and a cheap spot welder, you could knock out the bbw conversion in a weekend with no welding skills. food for thought. __________________ Project "i'm just going to clean up the interior and the engine bay": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550931

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