Windshields Interchangeable?

[Anonymous-0]

Hey I have a 1972 F-100 pickup that I'm restoring but its got a smashed windshield, I was woundering if one from a 1978 F-150 would fit? Thanks for the help

 

[ericlb]

good question, im not sure if the cab structure was changed in '73 or just the sheet metal, call a salvage yard, and see if they have a hollander interchange manuel, that should tell if it will fit or not, also a glass company that does replacement work may be able to look it up and see if the part numbers are the same

 

[Anonymous-0]

Ok thanks ericlb, I called up a local Auto Glass shop and they said the widows are totaly interchangable, only thing is the guy said to use something called "butel" a sort of stringy tar to mount the newer window I'm putting in. What is it and where do you get it? BTW I'm up in Canada

 

[ericlb]

should be able to get that at a good auto parts store, or even a local body shop, you want the black kind dont let them sell you the yellow 'gorilla snot' its used to make a water tight seal on older vehicles, if possible it might be better to order a new windshield rubber, then you shouldnt need it there are several 'body parts online' sties that should have that if the windshield is the same then 67- 79 rubber should be the same too

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've never replaced a windshield before, is it hard? I heard about a wire cutter that is opporated by two people, one inside the truck and the other outside? Or does a strip of rubber come out first than the window? Thanks For the help!

 

[ericlb]

the 2 man wire cutter tool is for the glued in windshields on the new stuff, real trucks like yours should not be glued in[ unless somebody replaced the windshield, used the old windshield rubber, and glued it in to prevent water leaks] chevys back in the day used a removable strip in the center of the rubber, but if memory serves here fords in '72 used a pop in style, which isnt 'pop in' at all, but is installed by placing the windshield in the new rubber, then installing a string about the size of hay baler string, in the channell next to the lip that will be inside the cab, the rearmost channell, leave about 6 inches hanging out each end after making a complete revolution around the windshield, lube the string and the rubber lip to the rear of the string with silicone spray or similar lubricant, you need at least 2 people for this, first set the windshield with rubber and string installed on the bottom of the cab flange where the windshield sits, make sure the rubber lip is started on the inside of the cab flange, as your buddy puts GENTLE pressure on the outside of the assembly pull the end of the string , it will be a little stiff [ be sure to hold the other end to prevent it moving] as you pull the string the rubber lip will roll over the edge of the cab flange and be on the inside of the truck, work your way around, as you do it may be nessessary to 'bump' the windshield to seat it a little, if so it is critical to use only the flat palm of your hand or you will bust the new windshield!!! and be very gentle!!! work your way around to the starting point and give it a gentle bump to seat it, that should be it, just put the wiper arms back on and your done, again a new rubber will make life much easier onthis job, the old rubber will be very stiff and very hard to work with and you may wind up breaking the glass if you try to use it

 

[ericlb]

should have added, in case my alhzhimers is kicking in here, if you have a removable center strip, you will need to by a tool to work with it at the local parts store, to tell look on the outside of the trucks windshield rubber right in the center of the area between the glass and the truck cab metal, it should be obvious to see there if you have that style,if so the instelaton is the same as previous, but your have to remove the whole center strip before you can get the old glass out andput it back in after you get the new windshield in, use plenty of lube and again i cant tell you how much difference using a new rubber will be , kind of like 2wd vs 4x4 in the snow!lol

 

[bobj49f2]

I bet for $50 you can have a guy come out and put it in for you. If you have any reservations about doing it yourself and you don"t have the tools to do it, it will be a lot cheaper to have a pro do it correctly the first time. The chances of a pro breaking the windshield is a lot less than you doing it.