Big back window conversion part 1

[Denee007]

I think your doing great, besides, and accomplishing one heck of a task that others can appreciate from your historical documents! these trucks and all early model cars are money holes; ). Even if if cost a couple grand, so what! Before I bought my truck, I didn't even know about large back windows!! Keep up the fantastic work!; )
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[thump16]

here is my inspirational truck. Kareems truck from Adams chop shop in Fla.

[Russell Ashley]

"Wouldn't it have been cheaper (not to mention a helluva lot faster) to have searched for a big window cab that only needed the typical cab corners?"

Dan, around here a BBW cab that only needs cab corners will be attached to the rest of the truck and the price will be $20K or more.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

"Wouldn't it have been cheaper (not to mention a helluva lot faster) to have searched for a big window cab that only needed the typical cab corners?"

Dan, around here a BBW cab that only needs cab corners will be attached to the rest of the truck and the price will be $20K or more.

Yeah, I suppose everywhere ISN'T like the Southwest. My point wasn't to criticize. I too admire the chutzpah to take on a near-total disassembly of a cab like that. But I know other in the future read these threads and should know (If they're out here I suppose) that big window cabs are still available; though admittedly getting more rare.

To the OP, absolutely NO offense intended. I will not speak ill of the hugely talented individuals like you and Bam that LIKE to take on these huge challenges!
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[_Ogre]

nice work sledge
post more pics as you make progress

@ dan in passadena: here in the rust belt all we have is rust
my truk came out of arkansas and still needed 4 cab corners, steps, floors and hinge pocket repairs
you guys in the arid parts of the country have it made with all the old tin you have available

[tbrown5079]

Good work on the project and posting the progress for everyone else. Brings back memories when I did the same thing. I lucked out by finding a back window and roof already cut out and used that. I did put a whole new back panel on though.
I go by the principle that if it was easy, everyone would have one.
I changed mine because I scored on a set of cameo bedsides and really like that look.

[1project2many]

That looks like a decent gun for a home user. When you start dropping in price the duty cycle decreases and the welder can get fairly warm if you do a series of continuous spots. It's not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with resistance welding before actually starting: http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/Resistance.pdf

I have an old spot welder here I'd love to try. It's a professionally made model similar to this one: http://www.vintageprojects.com/metal...WeldingGun.pdf

[Russell Ashley]

Any updates? New pics?

[thump16]

I am gonna post up some pics later tonight. I still have to replace inner cab corners but i have all the window trim braces and inner window ready to be drilled & welded in. I had to cut out the entire striker latch assembly front facing sheetmetal on the replacement inner panel. This made mounting inner window easy. Easy stuff.
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[thump16]

ok so far I have gotten the minor fab work out of the way. This next step is fitting inner cab window with pillars and roof.

I cut out the entire front face of the inner window frame to include striker latch mount assembly (this part is the same as the actual original cab pillar. Then I bent the window braces to their correct position for welding to cab pillar. The next post will show how the braces set sit and where they are to be welded up. Last pic shows brace and cab without pillar.

[thump16]

These pictures show where the inner window and brackets sit. nothing is welded in yet just positioned. Still have to repair my inner cab corners. These are the exact positions that the brackets are welded in. There is also a weld going up the side brace and pillar. Every piece becomes one unit once welded in.

[thump16]

fitment from roof to pillars. the whole unit fit snug but I zip tied it since I left it over night as a secure measure.

[sqrlnts]

Wow, Thats a hell of a project. Keep it up!

[Shanehenrymusic]

Way to go! I did a big window conversion on my pickup - here's my thread if you wanna check it out. I bought a rusty BBW cab for 200$ and just cut the section of the cab out. I followed a Custom Classic Trucks article from 2006 (Which the article did not show many steps involved) It's a time consuming process but will be worth it when your done.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=492002

[thump16]

No progress yet. Been working on my 84 lq4 swap. I did manage to score big back glass for the project. I will finish up around feb. Shane, the 55-59 trucks are hard to come by round here. They are coveted highly. The big window trucks are hidden away.
[size=1]

[Shanehenrymusic]

Thump16 - there's plenty of them floating around here in the Oklahoma/Kansas area.. I currently have four original big Back window trucks. I have a nice BBW gmc cab too. When I find em forsale cheap I buy em... You'll appreciate this truck more after putting the Blood, sweat and tears into it... there reason I did my BBW conversion is because my 55 truck is the first pickup my Grandpa bought me when i was 12...keep up the good work.

[thump16]

I am retiring this yr. 21 yrs in AF. My 56 is the truck me & my baby girl are gonna cruise to home depot with & ice cream missions.

Sledge
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[4544speed]

If you are serious about the ice cream missions you owe it to her to take her to Hanks Ice cream. Stores in Houston and Atlanta only. They have the best butter pecan and banana pudding. No this is not advertising for them, It really is that good.

[thump16]

I will remember that. We have brusters & they have a winter schedule.lol. it will be 79 degrees here on friday. The 56 means alot to me. It represents me taking the time to restore it right & there isnt any rush on completing the entire truck right now. Just the cab work. Now if some of the board members wanna come over and help me, i can provide the food and beverages. Lol. Seriously though, i have to get the 84 c10 done by feb to clear up my garage. We welded up my stepnotches for the 56 on sunday. I hope to have the frame painted and cab on it by late april.
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[flatbed51]

Congratulations on your retirement from the USAF. My son is a career airman, he is currently stationed in Misawa Japan

[thump16]

Its been fun & flew by fast.
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[texasconstable]

I spent 21 in the Marines, and retired in '99. During the early 90's, I built my 57 GMC. Worked on it for 2 years straight!.. Every day off and all my leave for those 2 years were spent on the truck. I read during that time, that many people start these projects, and then lay off for a few weeks, which turned into months, then years, with them never finishing them. That scared me, so I wouldn't allow myself to take any time off. Family time sucked to say the least..lol. But I finished it, and been driving it ever since..

You are doing a first rate job! I'm like you, I would rather take the long way to get it done. You learn so much about how they were built back then, and how your's in particular has gone together. The pride that knowing you did all the work yourself can't be matched. When you are done with your truck, you are going to get loads of folks telling you "you have a nice truck", or "I like your truck". That is when all your efforts are going to seem worth it. Thats when you feel like you are at the top of the food chain.

Good luck and I'll be watching

-mike-

[waybad]

man thanks for the detailed build,,,, I think I can do it??????????????? maybe.........

[Gsanche3]

Does anyone know the measurments of a 55-59 rear big window. I turned my 56 small window into a big window but my glass does not fit. Its to shor width wise. I purchased the glass at a automotive swapmeet and I was told that it was made for 55-59 chevy. Now I am confused I hope its just the glasd and not the big windo frame. I was thinking that the rear glass I have might be for a ford. Please help.thanks
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[thump16]

I just got rear glass last night and measured it. It measures from 15" widthwise to 14 1/2" on the curved ends top to bottom. I purchased new inner and outer back cab wall. The inner back cab window mount area measures 15 1/2" while the outer back portion measures right at 15" getting smaller at the outer curves also. My best guess right is that since the inner cab wall sits higher by atleast a half inch so I am going to have to measure very carefully using my new glass when I mate the outer and inner back, Look up shane on this thread. he has a nice stable of BBW and is far more knowledgeable on this subject. Did you buy the complete rear cab assembly new or salvage. I also think that since no two trucks were built the same that's where the challenge lies in getting perfect back glass install.