55.2-59 serious fit problems with Classic Industries Replacement Glass...any tips?

[AllenF]

Hi Folks,

Just wrapping up a sizeable restoration on a 56 big window. Bought all new glass and moldings from Classic Industries. The front chrome fits horribly, and the seal is very flimsy. I am certain it's properly seated, but it really fits like crap. LIke a "saddle on a sow" as they say. The back window is also too large to go into the seal.

I sort of expect aftermarket stuff to fit like crap, but this is ridiculous.

Of course I tossed my old glass so I can't compare. Has anyone encountered this? Thinking I am going to go buy a couple of used glasses if I can find them to check.

Any suggestions welcome.

Allen

[mr48chev]

If the glass is tempered there isn't too much you can do with it.

As far as rubber goes, most guys end up going with Steele Rubber after they fight with the other stuff.

You might talk to the guys at Sanders Reproduction glass in Vancouver. https://www.sandersreproglass.com/

I'm thinking seriously about taking my 48 down to them when it comes time to get the glass put in. Mainly because I am going to need tempered door glass.

[_Ogre]

i'm not seeing the issue
good look truck, i like the wheels

[crossfire84]

I have the issue with my front glass seal and the back. I replaced the rear with Steele rubber , awesome fit and seal. I will replace the front seal when I get some extra $$, I also bought all my glass from classic and have no problem.

[AllenF]

Yup, I ordered a rear seal from Steele. I will compare them and report back so hopefully I help others make the right choice. I figure the money spent on the windshield moldings and seal is gone in that Classic Industries won't take them back after I have installed them, even though they fit crappy. The front glass is perfectly centered and the glass went in very easily (as rope-ins usually do) but there's something funky with that seal and the molding.

Anyway, I will report back when done...

[AllenF]

By the way, this truck is actually sitting on a 2001 tahoe chassis. Those wheels are the allow spare type. They are the most narrow wheels that I could find that are plain and will look ok with the original caps (once I get them on)...

Here's a link to the chassis swap photos...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=775165

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

If the glass is tempered there isn't too much you can do with it.

As far as rubber goes, most guys end up going with Steele Rubber after they fight with the other stuff.

You might talk to the guys at Sanders Reproduction glass in Vancouver. https://www.sandersreproglass.com/

I'm thinking seriously about taking my 48 down to them when it comes time to get the glass put in. Mainly because I am going to need tempered door glass.

No windshield is tempered, it's laminated.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

I have to say, those wrap around windshields were a MUTHA with original parts, so I can only imagine fitting a reproduction with reproduction rubber and trim, wow that wouldn't be fun.

I know that if you warm the rubber up some before installing that can make a big difference. Also using the proper tool just to baby it in can make a big difference too. Here is a little post on the subject from when I installed the back glass on my Rambler.

https://www.hotrodders.com/forum/win...ls-360386.html

Brian

[mikebte]

Can you get some photos without the trim. In my experience the front windshield may not be installed all the way into the rubber and frame. They often times may seem installed but will go in farther. I always install them with one person and find the corners are hard to get all the way seated. This may be giving you an issue with the trim.

[Black_Sheep]

I had to really fight with mine to get everything settled in place.

[AllenF]

Originally Posted by mikebte

Can you get some photos without the trim. In my experience the front windshield may not be installed all the way into the rubber and frame. They often times may seem installed but will go in farther. I always install them with one person and find the corners are hard to get all the way seated. This may be giving you an issue with the trim.

In this case, the rubber went in pretty easy, as did the glass. I think the problem with the front glass is related to the molding being malformed. Probably have to live with it, unless it leaks. Unless it leaks, in which case I will simply rip it out and put a non chrome seal in.

Nuisance.

[AllenF]

Update!

Ok, so on the windsheild the rubber is installed perfectly, but the Classic Industries aluminum moldings are just crap. What can you do...it is what it is. So I will have to live with those as-is. If you try to reshape those aluminum moldings, they get spider stress marks on them and the look even worse.

As for the back window, the rubber seal Classic Industries sent is a POS. The channel that goes on the body is a ful 1/8th inch smaller than the Steele Rubber gasket I ordered. It doesn't sound like much, but add this to the fact that the material on the Classic Industries seal is a harder material, and you have a seal that just won't work. The Steele Rubber window seal was much more pliable, and went in just fine. Buy the Steele Rubber product, not whatever classic is shipping.

Allen

[mr48chev]

You are a long way from the first guy who ended up having to buy Steele rubber after fighting the other stuff.

That said installing my own glass is probably on the bottom of the list on things that I actually want to do on my truck. That is one thing I'll pay to have done.