2 piece for 1 piece windshield swap?

[TornadoTamer]

Hello all :wave:

I've been trying to locate a 1 piece windshield for my 62 Wagon without success. I never imagined it would be this difficult to locate one

Does anyone have a line on 1 piece windshields?

Or...

Is making a 1 piece windshield into a 2 piece windshield feasible and does it diminish the overall collectible value of the vehicle? When I say collectible value I don't mean value as in monetary value. I mean does it diminish its collectability? Even though collectability does not seem to be a word

Tia and atb!

TT

 

[splinterguy]

TT,

Carl Walcks lists one in his online catalog. There is also a jeep bone yard not too far from me. The guy up there may have one although he is not know for being inexpensive. I can dig up his number for you if you like. I may be going up there sometime soon and can take a look for you while I am there.

 

[pavel6]

The crazy thing about the 1 piece windshields is that they are curved but the body opening is not. I have a stock 1 piece in our '65 wagon that is cracked and will replace it with a two piece. There is a hot rod savy glass shop not too far from me that says they can install a 2 piece with a very thin silicone joint in the middle. Looks cool on several old Chevs I've seen and so that is what I'm going to do. I don't care about "collectibility", just want value for money.- flat glass is cheaper than curved...

 

[Eric B]

From what I can tell on my '62 it has been replaced already with a flat piece of glass. If there is a curve in it, i sure as hell don't see it.... it's just flat and dirty..... with a crack on the driver side.

 

[TornadoTamer]

TT,

Carl Walcks lists one in his online catalog. There is also a jeep bone yard not too far from me. The guy up there may have one although he is not know for being inexpensive. I can dig up his number for you if you like. I may be going up there sometime soon and can take a look for you while I am there.

Hello splinterguy,

I just tried Walcks after reading this post and there is a page for "Glass" but, it's completely empty. If you are seeing something else then maybe there is something wrong with my browser not properly displaying things? (although, I tried in two browsers...Google Chrome and IE)

And, I have to tell you I am not very impressed with Walcks website. Most things have incomplete information. Either there are no images of the items or no applicability listings for the items they do have or (as with "Glass") just blank pages, or all of the aforementioned. It's a quite frustrating website, imo.

Yes, to both ideas. I'd like his number (if it's not too much trouble finding it) and if you are going there anyway then please see if he has one. And, thank you for the offer of assistance. :thumbsup: I do sincerely appreciate it!

Atb!

TT

 

[62 OlllO]

When I restored my 51 Wagon, I had two pieces of glass cut and silicone the center...It looked great and gave better vision...however driving at 70 mph the pressure on the windshield would allow the rain to come in oh so slowly ....dip.....dip.....dip
Rain water would find it's way inside around the new rubber gasket and a bit in the center....I lived with it. I would suggest when installing the new rubber gasket warm the rubber up, make it as pliable as possible and allow it to form to it's new home (24 hours) before going for a ride. Don't forget the new gasket for the vent!
My '62 is one piece with a big chip on the passenger side, as well as slight fogging around the edges...I'm going to gingerly remove/re-install with new rubber...hopefully not breaking it.

 

[TornadoTamer]

The crazy thing about the 1 piece windshields is that they are curved but the body opening is not. I have a stock 1 piece in our '65 wagon that is cracked and will replace it with a two piece. There is a hot rod savy glass shop not too far from me that says they can install a 2 piece with a very thin silicone joint in the middle. Looks cool on several old Chevs I've seen and so that is what I'm going to do. I don't care about "collectibility", just want value for money.- flat glass is cheaper than curved...

That is an interesting observation. I didn't think to even consider that. The one that is in there now does have a slight curve in it.

I have heard of that mod you're talking about. But, if one were to go with a two piece windshield...couldn't you just use the weatherstripping for the two piece windshield and buy the metal center piece that are readily available for two piece windshields?

As far as collectability I just didn't want to detract from the essence of the original vehicle too much.

And yeah, I can get flat glass all day long. There is a place here that will cut it for me for about $62usd each (windshield not included) which includes a pattern cost. (even though they would only need the pattern for one to make two they would charge the pattern fee for each and every window made).

There is also a site, http://www.classicflatglass.com, that makes and sells glass separately or in complete glass kits and you have your choice of tint even (with several tints to choose from)....but those kits are around $850usd.

I too was considering making it a two piece and only started this thread in a last ditch attempt at doing it right (with original equipment). Not that anyone going with a two piece is doing it wrong....no judgments made here

Thank you for your input, Pavel. I do appreciate it! (great job you've done on yours, btw )

Atb!

TT

 

[TornadoTamer]

From what I can tell on my '62 it has been replaced already with a flat piece of glass. If there is a curve in it, i sure as hell don't see it.... it's just flat and dirty..... with a crack on the driver side.

That does change things in regards to my options. I would certainly consider putting in a flat piece instead of going with the two piece. IF I can't find a curved single piece that is

Thanks for your input, Eric. Welcome to the site, too!

Atb!

TT

 

[TornadoTamer]

When I restored my 51 Wagon, I had two pieces of glass cut and silicone the center...It looked great and gave better vision...however driving at 70 mph the pressure on the windshield would allow the rain to come in oh so slowly ....dip.....dip.....dip
Rain water would find it's way inside around the new rubber gasket and a bit in the center....I lived with it. I would suggest when installing the new rubber gasket warm the rubber up, make it as pliable as possible and allow it to form to it's new home (24 hours) before going for a ride. Don't forget the new gasket for the vent!
My '62 is one piece with a big chip on the passenger side, as well as slight fogging around the edges...I'm going to gingerly remove/re-install with new rubber...hopefully not breaking it.

I may be wrong, but I think you can use the two piece weatherstrip and beauty trim in place of a single piece windshield. It makes sense in my head anyways :dribble-dribble:

If I am wrong in this idea I would really like to hear from someone with a definitive answer.

Thanks for you input as well, 62!

Atb!

TT

 

[62 OlllO]

WORD OF CAUTION if you are going to use two pieces of glass and butt seam the center with silicone, the guy cutting the glass must cut the glass a bit longer because you won't have the center support and sand the edge meeting in the center at a slight bevel to match the slight curve if your window isn't flat. Don't forget to order factory tint as well.

 

[Eric B]

I am just gonna stick with the flat glass that can get cut cheap and easy. Living in Colorado (they use sand/gravel on roads) you usually end up replacing a windshield once a year on a DD, so I figure I am gonna have to do the same with this wagon once it's back on the road. I already drive a Wrangler as my DD which also has a flat glass windshield...... Only time I see one without a crack is on a used car lot. (state law requires no cracks on sale)

Go figure.

Can't complain too much with 300 days of sunshine a year......

I couldn't help it I had to try this one :cheers: with my beer on the puter desk now.

 

[TornadoTamer]

WORD OF CAUTION if you are going to use two pieces of glass and butt seam the center with silicone, the guy cutting the glass must cut the glass a bit longer because you won't have the center support and sand the edge meeting in the center at a slight bevel to match the slight curve if your window isn't flat. Don't forget to order factory tint as well.

Excellent words of caution, and advice, 62! As for the tint, do you mean for the other pieces of glass other than the windshield, or are you meaning the windshield as well?

Atb!

TT

 

[TornadoTamer]

I am just gonna stick with the flat glass that can get cut cheap and easy. Living in Colorado (they use sand/gravel on roads) you usually end up replacing a windshield once a year on a DD, so I figure I am gonna have to do the same with this wagon once it's back on the road. I already drive a Wrangler as my DD which also has a flat glass windshield...... Only time I see one without a crack is on a used car lot. (state law requires no cracks on sale)

Go figure.

Can't complain too much with 300 days of sunshine a year......

I couldn't help it I had to try this one :cheers: with my beer on the puter desk now.

The cost of replacements was one of the main reasons I made this thread. Even though the original windshield is a little curved, it will still look like a flat glass wall to a rock

I worked out at Edwards Air Force Base for a while and while I was there I put at least three windshields in my 93 Cherokee-Country, but in all it's on its forth windshield. I eventually got down to a cost of $110usd which included installation--frequent customer prices

Btw, I most recently lived in Colorado. I was there almost 4 years. I lived in Conifer for almost 2 years. I loved it there.

Atb!

TT

 

[flatfenderruben]

My truck came with a one piece windshield and I also could not find a new glass at a fair price. I ended up putting a two piece windshield and I like the look much better.

Yes, the one piece does have a curve at both ends and yes you can put a two piece windshield in it's place. I was trying to find anyone that would take my old windshield (with two very minor chips) and brand new gasket and even put an ad here on this website with no takers. Last week I found a friend that needed it and it's his now.

 

[TornadoTamer]

My truck came with a one piece windshield and I also could not find a new glass at a fair price. I ended up putting a two piece windshield and I like the look much better.

Yes, the one piece does have a curve at both ends and yes you can put a two piece windshield in it's place. I was trying to find anyone that would take my old windshield (with two very minor chips) and brand new gasket and even put an ad here on this website with no takers. Last week I found a friend that needed it and it's his now.

Thank you for iping: up, flatfender! Have a coldie on me! :beer: :cheers:

Now, did you go with the split windshield weatherstrip and beauty trim? Or, did you go with the mitered in the middle silicone trick?

For what it's worth. I never saw an ad here for one, and as I just looked back through there again, I still don't see one :?

I rather like the way these wagons look notwithstanding their windshields.

Atb!

TT

 

[Midnightburn]

Hey guys,

Great discussion going on here. It sure is refreshing to see mutual respect between everyone on this site. Compared to other sites that have adopted the "I hate everyone that asks a question!" motto.

I will chime in on this a little too.

I have a 62 that of course came with the OEM 1 piece "curved" glass. Albeit broken. So, I investigated buying a new curved piece and the price was extremely prohibitive at $478. That darn supply and demand thing again... So, I went with 2 piece glass at $20 each. At first I went with the early 2 piece rubber with the little strip in the middle we are all familiar with, but I could never get it to seal properly around the edges. No matter what I did, it leaked badly. It was like a science project inside my wagon every time it rained. And you may notice that the early rubber is quite small, which doesn't help. The other thing that was really disappointing is that the center piece of rubber was too short, which clearly indicated that aftermarket tolerances are not as good as OEM. So, after about a month, it started to tear at each end. It just wasn't going to work. Pretty lame.

So, I decided to buy the 1 piece rubber, which is much more substantial. I had to have the glass cut down about an 1 1/2" to fit the new rubber. Then I siliconed the center. It looks pretty good, but I have to say that I am not impressed with the quality of the aftermarket rubber. The corners don't stay locked. They pop out all the time and in fact never really lock in correctly. I had a professional glass place do it for me and they weren't satisfied with it either. I could have just ordered universal rubber with the locking strip from the glass place and it would have been better.

So, all of the ideas you guys have been discussing here are possible. I have tried each one and if it weren't for poor quality aftermarket components, they would all work and look great.

The next step I am going with is to totally remove the gasket altogether and have 2 new pieces of glass cut to the exact size of the windshield opening and then have them glued in just like they do on all the new vehicles today. I talked with the local glass place (2 different ones in fact just to confirm that it wasn't a bad idea) and they said they have everything to do it right and make it clean. Then it will never leak and I won't have to deal with the ugly rubber gasket. It will also maximize my visibility.

For the heck of it, I plan to go one step further. I am going to design a 1 piece exterior trim piece that will go over the outside to cover the edge of the glass. Not required, but it allows me to be creative. I will have it cut out on the waterjet table and it will have a small Willys logo cut into each corner. It will be cut from 1/8" aluminum or stainless material and will be about 1" wide. Sort of like the frame around your glasses. I may even include the center piece down the middle to give it that vintage look with a twist.

I will post photos of it when it's done.

 

[JBingham]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good place to have all new glass made? All the glass in my truck is cracked or broke. I talked to two places way out in cali, and the price difference was pretty extreme, and I couldn't find any info on the quality of work from either. Plus that was over a year ago, so I don't know if the prices would still be valid.

Oh, and on a completely unrelated note (sorry) I have a spare driver's side door I found in the bed of the truck?? I need to still make sure my drivers door is good on my truck, but if it is good and solid, and someone needs a drivers door, let me know. Otherwise I'm just going to use it to learn how to do body work and painting on, and that in itself is a pretty scary notion...

 

[Pete]

...The next step I am going with is to totally remove the gasket altogether and have 2 new pieces of glass cut to the exact size of the windshield opening and then have them glued in just like they do on all the new vehicles today...
...I am going to design a 1 piece exterior trim piece that will go over the outside to cover the edge of the glass. Not required, but it allows me to be creative...

This sounds like a brilliant solution to me. And I think the trim will make it look like it came that way from the factory too.

Has anyone gotten their rubber from Steele? I used Steele rubber on my '50 Plymouth and it fit perfect and has been there for 8 years without any adverse issues. Steele has a great reputation for quality. Not sure what they offer for the trucks and wagons...

Pete

 

[TornadoTamer]

Hey guys,

Great discussion going on here. It sure is refreshing to see mutual respect between everyone on this site. Compared to other sites that have adopted the "I hate everyone that asks a question!" motto.

I will chime in on this a little too.

I have a 62 that of course came with the OEM 1 piece "curved" glass. Albeit broken. So, I investigated buying a new curved piece and the price was extremely prohibitive at $478. That darn supply and demand thing again... So, I went with 2 piece glass at $20 each. At first I went with the early 2 piece rubber with the little strip in the middle we are all familiar with, but I could never get it to seal properly around the edges. No matter what I did, it leaked badly. It was like a science project inside my wagon every time it rained. And you may notice that the early rubber is quite small, which doesn't help. The other thing that was really disappointing is that the center piece of rubber was too short, which clearly indicated that aftermarket tolerances are not as good as OEM. So, after about a month, it started to tear at each end. It just wasn't going to work. Pretty lame.

So, I decided to buy the 1 piece rubber, which is much more substantial. I had to have the glass cut down about an 1 1/2" to fit the new rubber. Then I siliconed the center. It looks pretty good, but I have to say that I am not impressed with the quality of the aftermarket rubber. The corners don't stay locked. They pop out all the time and in fact never really lock in correctly. I had a professional glass place do it for me and they weren't satisfied with it either. I could have just ordered universal rubber with the locking strip from the glass place and it would have been better.

So, all of the ideas you guys have been discussing here are possible. I have tried each one and if it weren't for poor quality aftermarket components, they would all work and look great.

The next step I am going with is to totally remove the gasket altogether and have 2 new pieces of glass cut to the exact size of the windshield opening and then have them glued in just like they do on all the new vehicles today. I talked with the local glass place (2 different ones in fact just to confirm that it wasn't a bad idea) and they said they have everything to do it right and make it clean. Then it will never leak and I won't have to deal with the ugly rubber gasket. It will also maximize my visibility.

For the heck of it, I plan to go one step further. I am going to design a 1 piece exterior trim piece that will go over the outside to cover the edge of the glass. Not required, but it allows me to be creative. I will have it cut out on the waterjet table and it will have a small Willys logo cut into each corner. It will be cut from 1/8" aluminum or stainless material and will be about 1" wide. Sort of like the frame around your glasses. I may even include the center piece down the middle to give it that vintage look with a twist.

I will post photos of it when it's done.

I'll leave the discussion at other sites there....at the other sites

Thank you for your elucidating post. It is appreciated!

With each bit of information offered it leaves me leaning in the direction of the 1 piece solution in flat glass. I just got a quote for a flat 1 piece windshield from my local glass company and it will be less than $90usd.

Please, do keep us updated on your glass project. I'm sure others may benefit from it. You've done some amazing work on your wagon and I'm just as sure it will be remarkable!

Atb!

TT

 

[TornadoTamer]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good place to have all new glass made? All the glass in my truck is cracked or broke. I talked to two places way out in cali, and the price difference was pretty extreme, and I couldn't find any info on the quality of work from either. Plus that was over a year ago, so I don't know if the prices would still be valid.

Oh, and on a completely unrelated note (sorry) I have a spare driver's side door I found in the bed of the truck?? I need to still make sure my drivers door is good on my truck, but if it is good and solid, and someone needs a drivers door, let me know. Otherwise I'm just going to use it to learn how to do body work and painting on, and that in itself is a pretty scary notion...

You may find the best price at your local glass company, as I have. But, in direct response to your query I'll provide this link...

www.classicflatglass.com They offer several tints and they look like great kits albeit a little pricey, imo.

I haven't figured out if my doors are sprung (I think they are...just haven't gotten that far down the road as of yet) so I don't know right now if I will need one or not. I do, however, have two extra doors that would make great candidates for the practice you describe and I'd rather you avail yourself of these than to ruin a good door someone may need. Please consider my offer.

Atb, JBing!

TT