71 FJ40 Windshield Popout

[BlackPanzer]

My family and I recently completed a resto on my 1971 FJ40. The windshield was reinstalled after the new paint... everything is fine until I reached 50 mph and the windshield popped out. A local glass shop reinstalled the glass and it happened again. Before I ask the question- yes, I searched the forum for install and frankly found some confusing information about installing it. One paragraph states install the gasket around the glass first and the other states install the gasket around the frame first and then place the glass in the gasket (on the frame). Which is correct?

Some additional information:

- The windshield is original. It measures 15 1/2" for height. Lenghth was hard to measure due to the position of the popped out windshield in the window frame. I never had an issue before it was removed and re-installed.

- The gasket is SOR for 65-74. I called to double check and it is the right part.

- My Cousin had the exact same issue happen with a pop-out at 70 mph. He insists the gasket first on the frame install is correct having experienced the issue. He has not had an issue since.

- The glass tech (whom I called after the pop-out) insists- based on previous FJ40 windshield installs that gasket around the glass first, install in the frame is correct. He will reinstall again, but is hestiant about the gasket on the frame first install.

So which is it? After two pop-outs I want something that works.

 

[occruiser]

I just installed my windshield today. Glass in the gasket first, 1/8 inch rope, place the rope in the channel that grabs the frame, place the glass on the frame, nice and snug, pull top to the right, towards the bottom 1/4 of the way, then pull bottom to top 1/4 of the way. Continue on till the glass is nice and snug. I don't see how you would be able to get it in with the gasket being placed first. Was your glass oem?

 

[DougAustinTx]

x2 on the glass in the gasket first. I can't see how the glass would pop out, although you're not the first one to have this happen to them. When I need to pull a 40 windshield it is a tedious bear to get out. Although you verified the correct part number, your glass could still be a little undersized, especially if it wasn't stored correctly in the vertical position for a long period of time.

 

[BlackPanzer]

The glass is OEM as far as I can tell. At least that is what was in it originally. However, it does not have the TOYOTA Asahi Glass stamp as is on the other windows through out the vehicle. Is there supposed to be an Asahi glass stamp? I am going to try to get better measurements to compare to OEM. Perhaps, after 43 years, the glass warped in a way that it does not fit now. More to come...

 

[antFJ]

if you bring the gasket and winshield frame to a glass company they should be able to cut a piece of glass that fits perfect...

 

[shelfboy1]

those years had a zipper in the gasket if the gasket is oem . without the zipper the glass will blow back learned that the hard way .it doesnt matter how you install it either way works .the zipper is a little trickier

 

[Okie joe]

Did you put in the locking strip?

 

[nuclearlemon]

if a glass shop did it, i would hope they'd notice whether or not the lock strip was needed i know on annies windshield, which is original, it does flex in and out. i'm sure if the weatherstrip was newer and more flexible and if the 1brl f could get up to speed, i might find my w/s in my lap too. only 40 series i've had like that tho. and i've had two v8 40s with originals that i was known to have a bit of a lead foot with. never an issue. could just be the glass was cut just a hair too small maybe try glueing the crap out of it?

 

[73tlcv8]

Mine popped out at 60 mph because the po didn't install the lock strip, the little nub on the bottom of the WS wiper box quite possibly saved my life.

 

[BlackPanzer]

UPDATE:

Thanks for the advice everyone. The glass guy and I decided it was not working out, he refunded the money. I took it to the guys at Ironpig, and they identified the problem as the glass being too small. At least it was small enough for the SOR gasket to not seal completly. The other clue was the missing Asahi glass stamp- my windshield was cut to fit prior to my ownership. Also, I originally had an OEM gasket. Apparently, the minute difference between the newly installed SOR gasket and my cut glass (maybe milimeters or tenths of an inch) was enough to allow a pop out... Lesson Learned: If you do a restore go with new glass, OEM gasket, or make sure your SOR gasket matches the window completly. Lastly, don't necessarliy take someone's word that they have worked on Cruisers, do a little research... 20/20 hindsight.

Best to all.

 

[nuclearlemon]

glad you got it figured out (and i'm hoping fixed)