The ultimate spawn of anger.....

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dmaddox

dmaddox

SILVER Star
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Threads
285
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Location
Long Island, NY
In restoring my 1963 SWB FJ45, the entire process, yet difficult, has been not too bad. That was....until this morning.

I ordered part # 120-03A-A from SOR. Yes, this is labled as:

Reproduction Windshield Glass Weatherstrip -
Fits 1958-1964 FJ40/FJ45 PU - Aftermarket

Your blood starting to boil yet? Well, mine hadn't.

So.....the w/s and lock strip come in the mail last night and I cracked it open with a buddy to install the windshield. Guess what???

The genius labeling system on SOR's website failed to mention that the w/s is 10 sizes too big. I said to myself "great...I doubled checked my order 10 times before submitting, how the crap is this the wrong one?

I checked my receipt. NOW THEY F'ING tell me on the receipt. "MAY REQUIRE TRIMMING TO FIT."

Ok, so it is NOT for a 1958-1964 FJ40/FJ45 it's for some obscure 30's pontiac that just happens to have the same mold as a cruiser?

Ok, so I cut the w/s and start molding around the windshield. Now....do you think there is 4 rounded corners molded into the w/s? Um....no.

So, you try to get it around the corners and OF COURSE it pops off and goes everywhere. So, I read online about using a silicone adhesive and letting that cure. So, I put a small bead of it on the glass, and started around with the w/s. I though I'd do a 24" section at a time.

Well, now I have silicon all over the place, the w/s popped off the tape and now has crap stuck all over it. Never has anything lit my candle faster than this piece of crap w/s.

Then, I tried to do a w/s or windshield install on the site here, found nothing. This w/s is a single solid run, no molded corners, nothing. WTF is this?????

Even when you do work it around the corners, it wants to fold off (slip off the corners) and till not stay put unless you have 8 arms a heat gun in one of them, and 3 hours to stand there waiting for the glue to cure.

Anyone else out there with an otherwise calm personality throw 15 f-bombs and then proceed to bruce lee an old rubber mat that happened to be laying next to you?

Looking for help!

Thanks much - Dallas
 
Yeah. I used an SOR aftermarket windshield gasket for my 67 FJ45 winshield, and it sucked too. too flimsy, and not a big enough profile. I could push the windshield out with my hand after it was fully installed. That would have been fun popping out at 30 MPH.

Got the $ OEM toyota one(from Cabe toyota-Not SOR), and it was perfect; of course. And SOR's recommendation was to get a new windshield glass cut that was slightly bigger? ARE YOU KIDDING?

since that point I really dont shop SOR unless ABSOLUTELY needed.
 
I agree with you totally.

My problem is.....1963. A 67 I am guessing it near identical to a 69 in size, so from Toyota, if they had one, you could get away with that. Any time Toyota asks for my year and I tell them 63.....deer in the headlights....a pause....and then "sorry our computers only go back to 69.

SOR is the only company that listed a 58 to 64 solution.
 
I know you said Toyota only goes back to 69, but it might be worth it to give CruiserDan a call over at American Toyota. He might be able to come with something for you, or he might have something close that will work. Might be worth a shot. Hope you find something that will work you ya.
 
Really hate winshields too...last time I tried working with one I had the same headaches (not a SOR gasket) and accidentally cracked it.

My new solution? Bring winshield frame only to auto glass shop. I had a new custom cut flat safety glass winshield (I don't need the friggen TEQ symbol on my glass) and a new weatherstrip installed (from whatever weatherstripping they had in stock). One hour later and a check for $85 and it was done w/ no headaches, cursing, or leaks.

Some things are better left to those who do it for a living...
 
LakeNorman - awesome idea. I only wish mine was 85 bucks. Cheapest quote given to me was 180 and that is with my w/s. I need to move to your neck of the woods. Ha!

Well with the keywords added here "Spector Off-Road Weatherstripping Windshield Installation" I will document this.

I have done everything on this restoration by myself thus far, and I hope to keep it that way, even with an wrestling match with the windshield.

I have a tube loctite brand automotive silicone adhesive. I have used it in the past and it's held up well.

I am ONLY using this to keep the w/s glued to the windshield for installation. If it adds another layer of protection, great.

Ok, Here is what I did. I cut about 50 strips of whatever tape I had handy. Some packing, some paint tape /shrug.

Then I started mid-way of the glass, put a bead of silicone glue down, and started putting the w/s on. I held the rubber on with one hand and then with the other scratched....no.....grabbed a strip of tape and secured it.

I worked my way around the glass in this fashion, taping as I go.

If this is a bad fit in the end, I can just clean the glass off and give SOR a call.

I will leave this like it is until Monday. That's a good solid dry/cure time before I even mess with removing the tape.

More as the process unfolds. HOPEFULLY this will help out the next poor sap that has to deal with this stuff. Don't have anything breakable or a dog nearby.

Cheers - Dallas

windshieldtaped.jpg
 
Looks like the right ws. Even toyota doesn't have the right ws for this year. You have to get the later year and take about an inch out of it. I used ws cement to glue it back together and then some black silicon to seal it up on the outside. Otherwise I didn't use any silicon etc. It's a nice tight fit and doesn't leak.

I didn't have problem installing, treeroot and I did it. I would recommend the tool for installing the weatherstrip key. You pretty much need two people to install it. One on the outside helping and holding and one on the inside pulling the string to get the weatherstrip to seat. I didn't like that the corners weren't formed either and I thought it would be an issue but if you look at my install it turned out really nice and wasn't an issue. HTH

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/44908-little-25-treasures-9.html
 
Last edited:
wesintl said:
Looks like the right ws. Even toyota doesn't have the right ws for this year. You have to get the later year and take about an inch out of it. I used ws cement to glue it back together and then some black silicon to seal it up on the outside. Otherwise I didn't use any silicon etc. It's a nice tight fit and doesn't leak.

I didn't have problem installing, treeroot and I did it. I would recommend the tool for installing the weatherstrip key. You pretty much need two people to install it. One on the outside helping and holding and one on the inside pulling the string to get the weatherstrip to seat. I didn't like that the corners weren't formed either and I thought it would be an issue but if you look at my install it turned out really nice and wasn't an issue. HTH

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/44908-little-25-treasures-9.html
Click to expand...

Think it would work for a 64 ?

Might give that a try depending on Dallas' success.
Man what a pain :(
 
Finished!

Ok fellas......

ALTHOUGH SOR should have been upfront with me on the sizing of this thing, here is a bit more information.


1. As mentioned in previous posts, the gasket was too large as was the lock strip. I was upset I had to "CUT TO FIT". Pretty lame. It came as one continuous piece, why not just mold it correctly to begin with?

2. I cut to fit and glued/taped/glued/taped as shown in the above post. I put a bead of Loctite stick-n-seal Silicone adhesive in the glass channel and pressed the gasket onto the glass, taped in place and continued, doing about a 10" section at a time. This is what I used:
loktite.jpg


3. I let that cure for two days (in my case about 30ish hours) and removed the tape. It was cured and LUCKILY it held in place very well. I was worried about the corners buckling due to them not being molded, but it worked out well and the silicone adhesive held it in place.

4. I then tucked an old long telephone cord into the cruiser frame channel and had my Dad and brother apply light pressure to the glass while I pulled the cord, effectively sealing the cab-side of the gasket.

It had about 1/4" of play as it sat in the opening and I was WORRIED. Now, my old windshield was in GOOD shape, so I just reused it. So I knew it had to fit.

5. I then used PB Lubricant and sprayed it in the lock-strip channel.
pblubricant.jpg


NOTE::::: Although this worked very well......NOT a bit fan of using it on future jobs. Smells like diesel with some fragrance and was a slippery mess. Again, it worked VERY well for the job, but a big mess.

6. About an HOUR of fiddling with that lock strip and I was DONE. I did NOT use a screwdriver or anything of the sort. I used a poly windshield paddle that IF and WHEN you slip (and with all that lubricant - YOU WILL) you don't want to gash your glass or paint job....
So, I used TWO of these:
wstool.jpg


By using those tools and coercing that lock strip (yes, I swore at it a few times, and for those that know me, this consists of "fat bastard" "lying piece of crap" "filthy animal" as I really don't swear...lol) I was able to get it installed.

I then used a dish scrubber and some palmolive soap to clean up and suds the entire area. I rinsed with hot water and dried off with paper towels. For the inside I just used windex and newspaper to clean it (newspaper doesnt streak).

windshieldinstalled.jpg


windshieldinstalled2.jpg


windshieldinstalled4.jpg

note the paper towel fuzzies - sorry

windshieldinstalled3.jpg


Hopefully this will help people in the future. Don't be afraid to order from SOR, I was pissed at first, but in the end, it turned out really nice. I also wanted to add that after installing the lock strip the windshield feels incredibly solid and secure. Even though the above "corner" picture seems like there is quite the gap there, it's very secure and solid.

Later dudes,

Dallas
 
Last edited:
Nice. So you did it by yourself? Kudos if so. I doubt I could have without the help.
 
Yeah.. I forgot to say a spray bottle with soapy water :whoops:

and this:
DT161_13974.gif
 
history says that ..

unregulated monopolists tend to become regulated. SOR is getting close to that line.

my ordering skills have a cheat sheet to remind me to ask direct and to the point questions of them. if the sales person flinches, i ask for a supervisor. end of story.

we regulate them by stop buying from them and giving our business to those who speak truth first time around.

VERY very nice work on your window. btw.
 
Hey for whats its worth, I had a set of Toyota Gaskets from the P.O. for a 69 fj40 that did not have molded corners. They were sealed in original bags. After fighting with it I took it to a glass shop who installed a new cut tinted windshield and those gaskets for $150.00. I tried to do it myself but couldn't. After seiing this thread maybe I'll try again on the next one.:beer: Jeff
 
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