55.2-59 Door glass

[PDW HOTRODS]

I have a 1957 Chevy truck I'm working on and was thinking about changing out the door glass and using glass without the metal frame. Have others done this? I know some change to 1 piece glass but I am planning to keep the vent window. I know the factory used the frame to protect the glass, but the AD trucks with vent glass don't have the frame so I don't see why it wouldn't work. I know I would need to change the track too but I need to buy all new anyway. Thanks.

[G&R's57GMC]

If you keep the vent windows you’ll need to make the window glass channels narrower by doubling up on the weather strips to accommodate the thinner glass and you may even have to have custom glass made larger to make up for the frame.

[mr48chev]

There are narrower glass channels available that are the same outside width but fit the glass without the frame. I have what is left (in unusable condition) of some I bought for my 48 about 40 years ago. The big problem is that most likely if you use laminated glass you are going to end up with cracked glass when some clown slams the door of the truck when they close it.

I figure that it is going to be a bit on the spendy side flat glass wise but I will probably haul my 48 to Vancouver Wa to Sanders Repro glass to have them make tempered windows for the doors. https://www.sandersreproglass.com/

My buddy had laminated glass put in his chopped 48 and three hours later when he gave a gal a ride in it she slammed the door and cracked the glass.

[PDW HOTRODS]

I have had a few 53 style trucks with vent windows and no frame around the glass that worked fine and didn't break, but the AD trucks I had without vent windows and the 55 and up trucks all had the frames. I can get the window track no problem, but I haven't seen the glass for sale cut bigger for no frame. Because of that I was wondering if there is a reason to keep the frame. Maybe the shape of the glass or the way the glass mounts in the lower track or the regulator design cause more stress on the side glass. GM added the frame for a reason.