windshield frame removal (5 Viewers)

[lowenbrau]

ummm, the proper way is to remove the top. very easy to do.
rust along the bottom of the fold down windshield frame is caused by sweating. they rust from the inside out.
cheers

Wayne's right about the condensation but I learned from experience that it slows way down once your airconditioning stops working. I was wondering why my BJ74 frame is still fairly solid when other, better treated BJ74s are rusty. My ac compressor belt was missing when the rig arrived in Vancouver in 2005 and hasn't been replaced.

 

[Nuyens]

I don't deny that taking the FRP top off is a good method (although no Toyota manual seems to mention it). But, ok, even if I completely loosened the top, sooner or later I'd still have to finagle that 10 mm wrench in the small opening when putting it all back together. And my guess is if I wasn't ultra careful I'd create more leak points in the rear of the truck. So I'm gambling that I do less damage to the FRP using my method than by taking it completely off.

Some more pictures of the old frame. The top-most 4/5 of the frame was completely rust-free, both inside and outside. The bottom was another story altogether. Picture 1143 shows the rust that was even accumulating under and near the window frame gasket. It was physically pushing the gasket up and it was visible from the driver's position.

 

[Nuyens]

Finally got the window back in. I'll attach a few photos of what transpired along the way in this and one more post. The old glass+weatherstrip was removed from the frame. It was simply glued on too tight and couldn't be removed without damaging it. At first, I had visions of re-using it, but that was not to happen. So, I ordered one that didn't have the chrome trim/strip embedded into it. People in the know told me it would seal better than the chrome-in-rubber one I had. Furthermore, the chrome strip is damaged during removal and nowadays new chrome strips are hard to find. The new all-black weatherstrip looks fine to me. The fella at the auto glass shop told me the next time I should re-install the new frame into the truck, then drive it to the shop for the glass re-installation. He said that installing the glass into the new frame on the tabletop was too tricky.

My big mistake was not ordering a new "Roof Panel Reinforcement Seal" ahead of time. I cut into the old one during removal and the window frame can't be re-installed without a new seal.

 

[Nuyens]

Since I was ordering the new roof panel reinforcement seal I also ordered two new pieces of Upper Windshield Support Hinge Packing.

I forgot to mention that before I applied adhesive (3M brand) to the roof panel reinforcement seal, I cleaned off the FRP with a scrub brush.

 

[Nuyens]

Since I was ordering the new roof panel reinforcement seal I also ordered two new pieces of Upper Windshield Support Hinge Packing.

I forgot to mention that before I applied adhesive (3M brand) to the roof panel reinforcement seal, I cleaned off the FRP with a scrub brush.

 

[Erickruiser]

You shouldn't need to pry anything. I have replaced my rusty surround in my 73 with a fibreglass one. There are two bolts undert he frp roof that need to be taken out using a 10mm socket by memory. It connects to the part of the frame that makes the top of the door, and is the same size/type of screw as the domey head screw in the top front corner holding the window frame and that brace already. Ridiculous that you have tot ake the roof off to take the surround out; but this car is like a meccano set. Its incredible the amount of bolts in it. For the roof it will be 24 bolts!

Good luck!

Can I ask where you obtained the fiberglass windscreen surround for your 70 series cruiser?