Repro windshield frame header
 

So I am working on installing one of these and here are some tips on installation and some issues I have run into.

First thing I noticed taking it out of the box was a series of about 28 holes that need to welded up. They seemed kind of odd to me so I inquired with the producer of this piece and I was told they holes are there to assist in the forming. Seems odd that the holes aren't pictured in any of the product photos.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Next issue I came upon was the tab for the weatherstripping to attach to. On the passenger side the tab looks good but the drivers side tab was signifanctly larger with the hole way off from where it needs to be. I didn't take a before picture but here is a shot of it welded up. The marker on it shows approximately how much needs to be trimmed off for it to fit

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Now this next problem is a big one and the one that prompted me to start this post. I was nearly ready to weld the whole header in before I caught this which is lucky. The lower holes and nuts for the sun visor brackets are in the wrong spot. You can attach the visor bracket using the holes in the spots they are in but the brackets don't sit the way they should and will cause the visors to point downwards

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

The drivers side hole is off as well but the passenger side is the worst. The pen mark is where the hole needs to be.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

That is all I have encountered so far. There are some other inconsistencies when comparing it to an original but overall it is a fairly accurate reproduction otherwise. You definetly need to have your top in place to install this. Bolt it all up and make sure it fits. I have taken it on and off the truck a dozen times at least while fitting it. Glad I came across a spot welder a while back. This is my first time using it and it saves a ton of time

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Welded up the old holes and ground off the old nuts and got welded in new nuts in the right position

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

How it is supposed to fit

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

And of course the holes for the visor retainers are incorrect and need to be welded up and redrilled

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Thanks for the help. I will be starting on mine this spring and this is one of the many items I have to replace.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Nice work.

Thanks, Rg

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

I came across another problem. I went to attach the weatherstripping and discovered the mounting holes on the drivers side positions the rubber way off from where it needs to be. The rubber should extend almost to the outer edge

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

So I had to cutout one of the nuts

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Fab up a new piece and weld it in.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

And now the rubber fitment matches the passenger side

So I have finished up with installing this, haven't come across any other problems. It's nice that this piece was reproduced, I just wish it had been done better or knew ahead of time of the inconsistencies.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

It's nice that you have the skills to fix the problems. It looks like you're doing a very careful job with your build. Congratulations.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Thanks for the great pictures. I will show them to the company that makes these.
Your comment, "I just wish it had been done better or knew ahead of time of the inconsistencies." rings true with me. I feel the same way when I sell any parts. In this case it was just to new of a part to know it's shortfalls. Your trail-blazing is greatly appreciated.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

I don't mean to cause any harm or devalue the part in any way, I just feel it's important for the people that install these parts to know of the issues they might run into. I keep thinking it would really be a shame if someone had installed one of these sets and ran into the problems after the truck is all painted.

It's great that they made the pieces they did. Some people really need them,in some cases it could be the difference in saving a whole truck.


I thought my inner header was in pretty good shape, the truck was nearly painted without replacing it, but it had some rust pitting so I decided to give the repro a shot. I am glad I did in the end because despite my original looking to be decent after taking it off and comparing it to the repro the metal on my original was thinned over the years and was about half the weight.

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I did not take anything you said as a negative. You have done a great job "adjusting" the part. You have provided a great service to anyone that comes across this post when looking for help restoring their Blazer or Jimmy windshield header. Thank YOU for doing this.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Hey man had no idea these were available ! Where can one buy one of these ? How much ? Looks like you done a bang up job ! Is it done yet .would love to see more pics completed. Congrats

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Glad to see you guys are interested in the input to make these better! Thanks and keep up the good work !!

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Best place I have found to buy them is from
https://www.facebook.com/BowtieTruck...type=3&theater

It's done, I will get some pictures, although there really isn't much to see, it just looks like the original pretty much.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

Thanks for the info on this install! I just started mine. It has a total of five pieces, where do the two small pieces go? Thanks, Roy
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Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

The two little pieces are sandwiched in at either end. It will make sense once you rip everything apart. I didn't strip mine down far enough to use them. As with any panel replacement I would recommend keeping as much of the original metal intact as possible. Most of the time it's only the inner structure that is rusted out so if possible keep the outer frame piece there, it will help to keep everything in the right place.

Re: Repro windshield frame header
 

I considered buying this to use the top header to make a bracket for installing a sof top with no holes. You think this is possible?