Replacing window glass - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tim Way · 12-17-2003, 07:27 PM

Hello all,

New member here. Looks like a great site!

I currently have 3 Suburbans in various states of health (see sig). I am building the '91 for a daily driver. The '87 and '85 will be sold when I'm done stealing parts for the '91 :-) I drove the '87 for 10 years and 180k miles before the engine gave up the ghost. The other 2 just happened to fall into my lap shortly after that. It's amazing what you can find when you're not looking!

I bought the '85 for the privacy glass. I figured that $50 for an entire truck was a ton better than $400+ that I was quoted for new glass. Talk about sticker shock....yikes!

I need to swap out the passenger's side rear door glass, the driver's side rear 1/4 window and the driver's side barn door window.

Any tricks or words of wisdom before I do this? I'd REALLY hate to break a nice peice of glass by doing something silly.

Thanks in advance.

Tim Way

oldsub86 · 12-18-2003, 01:53 AM

Take it to a shop and have someone with experience do it. I had my 86 painted and the side windows were removed to repair some rust. The fellow who did it said they were a bit tricky and easy to break. He did mine without any problems.

Tim Way · 12-19-2003, 03:03 PM

Thanks Oldsub!

That's kind of what I was thinking. I talked to a window installer while he was putting my windsheild in. And he gave me similar advice.

He did say getting them out in one piece is the hardest part. Getting them in in one piece isn't as hard, but tricky. He suggested cutting the gaskets to get the "good" glass out. And LOTS of silicon spray and a string to get them in.

We'll have to see how ambitious and adventerous I am when the truck shows up. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks again,

Tim

**old Rusty C10** · 12-19-2003, 05:37 PM

doin glass isnt so hard. In the barn doors the glass is smaller than a back window in a cab on a pickup but ive done them with little problem. I agree to get glass out of a truck youre going to scrap id just cut gaskets and i do think its always good to have a helper especially when doin glass.
The doors are easiest the side ones i cant tall ya about cause ive never done those
whatever ya do good luck and welcome to the board from NJ

Tim Way · 01-15-2004, 04:04 PM

The $50 'Burb didn't have barn doors, but the rest were there. I cut the "good" 1/4 window out with a utility knife. Installed it with a thin rope and a ton of silicon spray.

Door glass was hard to get out of the donor truck. Power windows and no power (doh!). A bunch easier on the install.

Thanks!

Tim

P.S. The '91 turned out to be a '90. I've also sold off 2/3 of my fleet. The wife is thrilled that we are a one Suburban family again :-)

12-17-2003, 07:27 PM	#1
Tim Way Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 4	Replacing window glass Hello all, New member here. Looks like a great site! I currently have 3 Suburbans in various states of health (see sig). I am building the '91 for a daily driver. The '87 and '85 will be sold when I'm done stealing parts for the '91 :-) I drove the '87 for 10 years and 180k miles before the engine gave up the ghost. The other 2 just happened to fall into my lap shortly after that. It's amazing what you can find when you're not looking! I bought the '85 for the privacy glass. I figured that $50 for an entire truck was a ton better than $400+ that I was quoted for new glass. Talk about sticker shock....yikes! I need to swap out the passenger's side rear door glass, the driver's side rear 1/4 window and the driver's side barn door window. Any tricks or words of wisdom before I do this? I'd REALLY hate to break a nice peice of glass by doing something silly. Thanks in advance. Tim Way __________________ 1990 1/2 ton 4x4 Silverado Suburban 1951 Dodge M37 3/4 ton 4x4

12-18-2003, 01:53 AM	#2
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	Take it to a shop and have someone with experience do it. I had my 86 painted and the side windows were removed to repair some rust. The fellow who did it said they were a bit tricky and easy to break. He did mine without any problems. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

12-19-2003, 03:03 PM	#3
Tim Way Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 4	Thanks! Thanks Oldsub! That's kind of what I was thinking. I talked to a window installer while he was putting my windsheild in. And he gave me similar advice. He did say getting them out in one piece is the hardest part. Getting them in in one piece isn't as hard, but tricky. He suggested cutting the gaskets to get the "good" glass out. And LOTS of silicon spray and a string to get them in. We'll have to see how ambitious and adventerous I am when the truck shows up. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again, Tim __________________ 1990 1/2 ton 4x4 Silverado Suburban 1951 Dodge M37 3/4 ton 4x4

12-19-2003, 05:37 PM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,268	doin glass isnt so hard. In the barn doors the glass is smaller than a back window in a cab on a pickup but ive done them with little problem. I agree to get glass out of a truck youre going to scrap id just cut gaskets and i do think its always good to have a helper especially when doin glass. The doors are easiest the side ones i cant tall ya about cause ive never done those whatever ya do good luck and welcome to the board from NJ __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-15-2004, 04:04 PM	#5
Tim Way Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 4	Did it myself! The $50 'Burb didn't have barn doors, but the rest were there. I cut the "good" 1/4 window out with a utility knife. Installed it with a thin rope and a ton of silicon spray. Door glass was hard to get out of the donor truck. Power windows and no power (doh!). A bunch easier on the install. Thanks! Tim P.S. The '91 turned out to be a '90. I've also sold off 2/3 of my fleet. The wife is thrilled that we are a one Suburban family again :-) __________________ 1990 1/2 ton 4x4 Silverado Suburban 1951 Dodge M37 3/4 ton 4x4



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