A new one on me- Nobody will install my glass!

[gvxclassics]

Finishing this restoration (kinda) and ready to put the glass back in. No one will touch this job. Doors are done, so the corner glass, sides, and w/s need install. I have the gaskets from SOR. One company said, "we only do after 1990" wont touch earlier. Safelite said through their computer *&^% interface that we only install glass we sell you, and oh, they only have the windsheild. "New techs won't bother to learn how to do the old cars". another-"$1140"

I'm in the Denver area. The guy who blew me off today says he will come next wednesday, but after no show/no call/damanding cash only, i'm concerned.

Sad state of affairs.

 

[brian]

Do it yourself. Its like an afternoon job with two people.

 

[clrussell]

Do it yourself. Its like an afternoon job with two people.

Agree. 40 glass is Relatively simple.

 

[90WT]

Post up on the Rising Sun forum. Lots of good folks over there. Offer up some beer for emotional support and you'll find some help.

 

[NicksFJ40]

Safelight in Glenwood Springs, CO wouldn’t replace my 80 windshield. They said they crack too many on install. So instead of learning how, they just gave up on older style vehicles.

 

[JohnnyC]

Imho if your able to take out the windshield frame and lay it down it’s so much easier

My last time doing it I had done that and was concerned the chip that I had in one corner would f up the whole thing … but it went in relatively easy as compared to doing it on the truck

 

[TEakins]

Two people and using the string method is an afternoon project. One guy on each side of the glass. Once you do one, the rest are easier. Maybe start on a side hardtop window. Go to school at YouTube and here at IH8mud. I managed to do it with another inexperienced person and we got the hang of it, and we started on the windshield with it upright. You can always do a do-over if you f##k it up the first attempt (that's what the pros do). Make sure you have good quality rope like about 1/4" thick and slippery nylon like they use in the hospital for skeletal traction (ex-ortho tech). Me and FJ40Jim were surprised at how simple it turned out to be. Also glass shops in smaller towns seem to be more versatile than the corporate ones. Check out the little towns 30-40 minutes away from the city. Ted

 

[WildernessRimFab]

Agree with the 2 person string method. I have tried it twice on different vehicles and it works great!

 

[zerotreedelta]

It's definitely not a bad install...soap, string, and patience.

For better luck on a shop, you may have more luck with non-traditional type places like semi- or tractor places that still often need to work with gasketed flat-plate glass.

 

[Mark W]

If you are gonna own a '40 either do your work yourself or find a specialist. I would not take a '40 to any sort of franchise/chain/corporate s***hole to let them touch it anyway.

If you were buying the glass from them, I could maybe see wanting them to install. Particularly windshields... If they break it before the install is finished, it is out of their pocket, not yours.

If you already have the glass yourself, there is zero reason to take it to a glass shop.


It is an FJ40... It is your pet, or perhaps a member of the family. It is not a dodge Neon. Treat it with the respect it is due.


Mark...

 

[gvxclassics]

I'm doing this job for a customer. The job is almost a full restoration plus upgrades. I have a bad shoulder and usually work alone. Customer supplied glass is in poor condition. I have never done glass install before and I'm a dork with eye/hand coordination. If I hurt my shoulder, I'm outta business.

After 16 weeks of work, from a mostly stripped frame we're nearing completion.

 

[Graniteone]

Cornerstone in Conifer should be able to do the job.

 

[pb4ugo]

Sounds like you're looking for a shop who can supply, cut and install laminated glass. The original glass will be good for patterning.

 

[gvxclassics]

Cornerstone in Conifer should be able to do the job.

In a few weeks they can quote on it. Thanks for the info. May be able to use them in the future.

 

[gvxclassics]

You know, thinking about it, I try to sell my expertise on classic car repairs. I am not an expert of glass installation, having never done it. So, I should not be selling a service to customers that I have never done. I do not have glass installation tools, or the feel for handling the glass.

If you want your electrical system debugged, your carb rebuilt or replaced, fluid changes, or perhaps full vehicle reassembly, no problem. If you want me to rebuild the motor, sorry, don't have the machine shop to do that, so I do not sell that. Glass work I guess is similar.

If it were my car, I would try it.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I respect people that are aware of their limitations. I do most things myself because I can't really afford to pay someone else, plus if you are broke down in the back country, by the time someone else can come fix it there will be nothing left to fix.

 

[Mark W]

"A man's got to know his limitations." Harold Francis Callahan

"But never let them limit you." Me.

Mark...

 

[Sky King]

Finishing this restoration (kinda) and ready to put the glass back in. No one will touch this job. Doors are done, so the corner glass, sides, and w/s need install. I have the gaskets from SOR. One company said, "we only do after 1990" wont touch earlier. Safelite said through their computer *&^% interface that we only install glass we sell you, and oh, they only have the windsheild. "New techs won't bother to learn how to do the old cars". another-"$1140"

I'm in the Denver area. The guy who blew me off today says he will come next wednesday, but after no show/no call/damanding cash only, i'm concerned.

I was in the same boat with my FJ40 last Fall. No matter how many times I tried to install the windshield glass I could not keep it from popping out when I'd get to the 3/4 completion mark with a helper and using the string method. Over the years I had done my own glass including curved windshields but something didn't seem right with the cruiser. I had the original glass for a pattern, I tried an after market gasket and then an OEM Gasket and still couldn't make it work. My local Indie glass shop gave it a try and the said sorry we can't get it in either. I took it to another indie shop 50 miles away who struggled with it for a week and then finally with four people were able to get it installed. I was never so happy to hand over a $100.00 for work done than anything else I ever paid for. It has been the worst experience of the project so far, the rest has been cake in comparison and I'm still not sure what exactly the problem was and now I'm hoping I don't get a stone in the new windshield and have to go through that again!

 

[zerotreedelta]

If you have the frame off the rig, it works really well to lay it face down on a rug. You can then use your knee to keep pressure on the frame while you work the cord... especially if solo.

 

[Sky King]

If you have the frame off the rig, it works really well to lay it face down on a rug. You can then use your knee to keep pressure on the frame while you work the cord... especially if solo.

I had the frame off and used every method I could think of. Glass shop #1 said bring it back attached the vehicle which I had no way of getting there.

Some kind of bad ju ju was going on .