Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jlampka · 05-14-2015, 06:13 PM

Hi All! I have a 1971 Chevy C20. Just wondering if this is a major headache to replace my windshield and weather stripping since the windshield is cracked. I have some rusted areas on the inside where the rear view mirror is located ( see photos). This seems like a common problem - any/all advice on what I'm in for appreciated.

Without tearing into it, I don't know if it effects the windshield weather stripping or not.

**LockDoc** · 05-14-2015, 06:53 PM

-
I think there is a patch panel made for that area but I don't know how wide it is. That may be a tough fix. It may not affect the seal but you will have to remove the windshield to repair it. No way to know what you will find under the rubber until you get it out.....

LockDoc

Goose · 05-14-2015, 09:00 PM

Had same problem on my '72 GMC except the rearview mirror is on the window and not on the eyebrow panel. The most important thing in this fix is to determine where the water is coming from to rust this area in the first place. I had a small hole in roof apparently that was allowing the water in. Could be faulty sealer on drip rails allowing water underneath and undetected. I purchased the repair eyebrow panel. I had a body shop do the work since I don't have proper tools and welding equipment. They removed the window, found the leak, and cut out the rusty and damaged metal. They welded in the new eyebrow panel which came with a rearview mirror mounting pad.

jlampka · 05-14-2015, 09:45 PM

Hi Goose! Any idea as to the cost to weld in a new eyebrow panel? ThX

jlampka · 05-14-2015, 09:46 PM

Hi Goose! Any idea as to the cost to weld in a new eyebrow panel? ThX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose

Had same problem on my '72 GMC except the rearview mirror is on the window and not on the eyebrow panel. The most important thing in this fix is to determine where the water is coming from to rust this area in the first place. I had a small hole in roof apparently that was allowing the water in. Could be faulty sealer on drip rails allowing water underneath and undetected. I purchased the repair eyebrow panel. I had a body shop do the work since I don't have proper tools and welding equipment. They removed the window, found the leak, and cut out the rusty and damaged metal. They welded in the new eyebrow panel which came with a rearview mirror mounting pad.

HeavyD · 05-14-2015, 10:29 PM

Roof swap is always an option..

In The Ten Ring · 05-15-2015, 03:16 AM

That looks bad: from what I've read on here, get ready to bust out the pocketbook or get another cab. *I have the same nightmare waiting on me.

**special-K** · 05-15-2015, 06:39 AM

Its totally repairable. We'll be wishing more cabs were saved as time goes on. I used to only buy rust-free trucks (meaning no rust ever/not repaired). Good luck with that now

**Classic Heartbeat** · 05-15-2015, 08:48 AM

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/Patch%20Panels.htm
http://www.classicheartbeat.com/cata...ch%20Panel.htm

Goose · 05-15-2015, 08:14 PM

Sorry, cost is tough to estimate because it is part of the entire package. They replaced rocker panels, reskinned doors, repaired the eyebrow panel, installed new cab mounts, removed old paint to raw metal, and will repaint entire truck basecoat - clearcoat. All said and done we're talking in the $10G category. My rationale .... it's still cheaper than a new truck.

**RenoKeene** · 05-15-2015, 08:52 PM

Mine was 8 K for body and paint with minimal rust repair so your good.

old Chevy guy · 05-16-2015, 11:13 AM

Heres a few pics from when I fixed mine. I cut the inside seem about a half inch from the roof indent toward the windshied on the truck and put an offset bend on it with a flang tool so I didn't wind up with a visable overlap and didn't have to weld in a but joint ,worked great. Had to cut a patch out of a donor cab to fix over drivers door though.

old Chevy guy · 05-16-2015, 11:15 AM

It doesn't look it but the seem is completely flush after I buffed the weld a bit with a flapper disc.

05-14-2015, 06:13 PM	#1
jlampka Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Tonawanda, NY Posts: 236	Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Hi All! I have a 1971 Chevy C20. Just wondering if this is a major headache to replace my windshield and weather stripping since the windshield is cracked. I have some rusted areas on the inside where the rear view mirror is located ( see photos). This seems like a common problem - any/all advice on what I'm in for appreciated. Without tearing into it, I don't know if it effects the windshield weather stripping or not. Attached Images

05-14-2015, 06:53 PM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,891	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield - I think there is a patch panel made for that area but I don't know how wide it is. That may be a tough fix. It may not affect the seal but you will have to remove the windshield to repair it. No way to know what you will find under the rubber until you get it out..... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

05-14-2015, 09:00 PM	#3
Goose Goose Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Austin Posts: 142	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Had same problem on my '72 GMC except the rearview mirror is on the window and not on the eyebrow panel. The most important thing in this fix is to determine where the water is coming from to rust this area in the first place. I had a small hole in roof apparently that was allowing the water in. Could be faulty sealer on drip rails allowing water underneath and undetected. I purchased the repair eyebrow panel. I had a body shop do the work since I don't have proper tools and welding equipment. They removed the window, found the leak, and cut out the rusty and damaged metal. They welded in the new eyebrow panel which came with a rearview mirror mounting pad. __________________ '72 GMC short-step 350/350

05-14-2015, 09:45 PM	#4
jlampka Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Tonawanda, NY Posts: 236	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Hi Goose! Any idea as to the cost to weld in a new eyebrow panel? ThX

05-14-2015, 10:29 PM	#6
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,180	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Roof swap is always an option.. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"

05-15-2015, 03:16 AM	#7
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,427	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield That looks bad: from what I've read on here, get ready to bust out the pocketbook or get another cab. *I have the same nightmare waiting on me.

05-15-2015, 06:39 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Its totally repairable. We'll be wishing more cabs were saved as time goes on. I used to only buy rust-free trucks (meaning no rust ever/not repaired). Good luck with that now __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-15-2015, 08:48 AM	#9
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield http://www.classicheartbeat.com/Patch%20Panels.htm http://www.classicheartbeat.com/cata...ch%20Panel.htm __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

05-15-2015, 08:14 PM	#10
Goose Goose Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Austin Posts: 142	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Sorry, cost is tough to estimate because it is part of the entire package. They replaced rocker panels, reskinned doors, repaired the eyebrow panel, installed new cab mounts, removed old paint to raw metal, and will repaint entire truck basecoat - clearcoat. All said and done we're talking in the $10G category. My rationale .... it's still cheaper than a new truck. __________________ '72 GMC short-step 350/350

05-15-2015, 08:52 PM	#11
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,034	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Mine was 8 K for body and paint with minimal rust repair so your good. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

05-16-2015, 11:13 AM	#12
old Chevy guy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Foster Rhode Island Posts: 1,176	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield Heres a few pics from when I fixed mine. I cut the inside seem about a half inch from the roof indent toward the windshied on the truck and put an offset bend on it with a flang tool so I didn't wind up with a visable overlap and didn't have to weld in a but joint ,worked great. Had to cut a patch out of a donor cab to fix over drivers door though. Attached Images

05-16-2015, 11:15 AM	#13
old Chevy guy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Foster Rhode Island Posts: 1,176	Re: Cab Rot Around Rear View mirror at Windshield It doesn't look it but the seem is completely flush after I buffed the weld a bit with a flapper disc.

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