[herbie19661949]

Hey Everyone, building a 49 GMC three window pickup, planning on chopping the top, Just curious, Ive seen a lot of them done but not sure what to do for weatherstripping for the windshield as it is a two piece windshield, the center piece is going to cause issues with sealing properly, just wondering what other people have done for weatherstripping, or urethayning it in? Any kind of help would be awesome!

[MARTINSR]

It is really no big deal at all, you have about as simple a chop as you can get regarding glass. All you need to do is cut the rubber and glass to size and install the glass as normal. I cut the rubber right at the division bar and simple urethaned it there with the one seam.

I did this when I was 16 back in 1974 so I am sure you can do it.

Brian

[deadbodyman]

How did you cut the glass ,Brian?

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

How did you cut the glass ,Brian?

That I bought to a pro to do. You know the funny thing is I thought it was going to cost a lot to do. I put it off and put it off and thought I would never have enough money to do it. When I finally went into the glass shop with my glass, windshields, door glass and back glass, (the corner windows I made from plexiglass) it was $36!

Thirty six dollars is all it cost me to get all the glass cut! LOL, If I had known how cheap it was I would have gotten it done sooner.

Of course, why in the hell did I have the original scratched up old glass cut? Guess I couldn't have afforded the $100 for all new?

Brian

[MARTINSR]

I get a kick out of these photos every time I see them.

Brian

[herbie19661949]

When you sectioned the top after chopping it, did you fab an insert, or have another truck to cut it out of?, i have another truck, same body style, but unsure of the year, it would be easier to just cut that section out of it, rather fab one?

[herbie19661949]

And yes Brian it is very cheap to get glass cut, i work with auto glass for a living at the moment, funny story tho!

[deadbodyman]

I love thoses pics... Hard to believe we were that young (on the outside) but then again I remember when gas welding was your only option too.
I gotta hand it to ya, Brian ..I was working on cars early too (14yrs old) but I never got the nads to chop anything until my late twenties....you got the HR bug real bad ....although theres no cure, getting married and having kids will sure put it in remission

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by herbie19661949

When you sectioned the top after chopping it, did you fab an insert, or have another truck to cut it out of?, i have another truck, same body style, but unsure of the year, it would be easier to just cut that section out of it, rather fab one?

In the last picture you can see a white Ford Pinto fender on the ground to the left side, you can see the pieces I cut from it! LOL

I have also used another roof so there is one seam, that works too but VERY difficult to cut perfect!


I feel the best way is to cut the skin off making a giant sun roof like hole. You then cut the new skin from the donor roof a little larger (all with VERY CAREFUL MEASURING) and weld it in. Did that as well on another chop, it works real nice on many cars.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

I love thoses pics... Hard to believe we were that young (on the outside) but then again I remember when gas welding was your only option too.
I gotta hand it to ya, Brian ..I was working on cars early too (14yrs old) but I never got the nads to chop anything until my late twenties....you got the HR bug real bad ....although theres no cure, getting married and having kids will sure put it in remission

LOL, gas welding with a borrowed torch and coat hangers as rod! I sectioned my first car two years later at 18.

My first marriage didn't slow me down one bit! Oh my God, I would be out in the garage until one or two in the morning working. I don't think anything could have helped that marriage but I didn't work real hard on it if you get my drift.

I am just now finishing up a bathroom remodel. It's just in time down to the wire for a visit from my daughter. It really reminds me of the days thirty years ago when I would do "marathon" on a project in the months leading up to a show. Man did I burn away a bunch of my body with unrealistic goals. I thought I would be done with this bathroom weeks ago and be relaxing right now waiting her arrival.

Looks like I haven't gotten any smarter.

Brian