Sunday was eaten up getting one side in the truck, it's only the one side and the hardware is still an issue, but my parts are working as they should and the whole thing works.
Looks so much better than the last version.
Just need to get all the right hardware parts and we will be good to go.
Really wanted to get both sides in for a more comprehensive test but it looks it will just be the one side for the cross-country drive.
Enough words, photos:
This is the collection of parts I've had to design and fab up.
Here they are back from the powder coater with the shiny bits bolted on.
Here are the frames for one side, they are sandwich plates, the gasketed one goes on the outside, one gasket seals against the body, the other seals the glass.
It's not all rose petals and posies bolting it in, there is some force required, and a clamp is a necessity.
It's a pretty simple system, basically sandwich plates and then there are two places where the bolts are much longer, these standoffs go on and provide a place for the latches to mount. This will let me keep the hardware package the same for multiple frame styles as I move into other series of trucks.
This is the hinge base plate, there is some built in adjustment with how these mount for fine tuning. This is also the only part that does not have a mechanical seal, requires a bit of sealant on the back side where it meats the frame.
These are the outer hinge plates with the VHB tape applied, this is how they will come from me.
Basically you set them like this, test fit the glass a few times, double and triple check that it is centered in the opening nicely and then peel off the film and flip the hinges down.
Once the adhesive contacts the glass, it is stuck, no second chances.

It's really not too bad of an install but I am going to have to make a video to show all the steps...... and you're going to have to take notes since there are a lot of them.