[doyoulikeithere]

Hi There.
I recently got a Safari GT with a broken windshield.
I already own an old dead parts van, with a brand new windshield.
I've never attempted it before...
How hard would it be to remove it without breaking it, and also how hard would it be to get a good seal on refitting it? it rains here a ton...
Any experienced souls out there? good advice?

 

[Jasen]

Come on, it don't rain there anymore then it rains down here a 100 miles south :lol:

I've done a few windshield salvages. I piece of piano wire or something along those lines, thin and very strong, with a stick on either end as handles is the trick.
Carefully make a hole through the sealant and fish the wire through, then you and a buddy saw the wire back and forth till you cut it out. The biggest thing, other then shattering the windshield, is to not crack the edge. Chipping it isn't good either and you have to fix it or it will eventually crack. Fixing a chip in the edge is just a matter of sanding the chip smooth. Cleaning the old sealant off is a bit of work, but they may have a solvent out there these days to help. Then prep the hole for install, do a good job, there ain't no good enough. If you find any rust, use some rust converter on it. Then a good bed of sealant, I'd say about a 3/8" bead, and carefully set the glass and press in firmly around the edges. As far as the trim, I don't know, haven't done one sense chrome trim.

 

[doyoulikeithere]

thats pretty much what I figured, but I thought of a guitar string.
I was mostly worried about breakin it during the cut out.
But you figure its worth a try eh?
What kind of sealant is it?

 

[Jasen]

Guitar wire will do. Not sure if the auto parts store sells it but a autobody supplier will. I believe it's just windshield sealant.
Using the wire method you should be ok. The carving it out with a utility knife was hit or miss.
What do you have to loose. Just don't get in a big hurry, oh wait, you live relatively close to me :lol:

 

[doyoulikeithere]

Awesome, thanx for the encouragement. I have brand spankin new windshield in a van that died and became my parts van.
I'm not in a hurry, I have two other vans to drive for the winter, but want to fix and clean this sweet GT up for springtime
Then, I can drive it while I turn my blue AWD into a parts van too, in order to build my 5 speed shorty into a 4x4.
When thats finished, I might get busy putting a 5spd into the GT. it never ends eh?
I'm about 85 miles north of Seattle, and then west about 70 miles.
Seems like the land of fog, rain and darkness. not to mention black bears!!

 

[Jasen]

Oh, let me add, you should keep it out of the rain for at least 24 hrs.
You might wait and see what the others have to say, seeing I haven't done a windshield on a modern rig, mine were on 60-70's cars.

Don't get to much of the fog but I can imagine out there on the big island.
I spent 8 months working up on Lopez Island from january on this year. We had a few low flying cloud days there. Then there was the snow and that frigin wind. We were building on the west side about 150' back from the water. The wind would kick up so hard the ocean spray would clear the roof of the house and get us trying to hide on the leeward side :lol:

 

[Jasen]

Oh, let me add, you should keep it out of the rain for at least 24 hrs.
You might wait and see what the others have to say, seeing I haven't done a windshield on a modern rig, mine were on 60-70's cars.

Don't get to much of the fog but I can imagine out there on the big island.
I spent 8 months working up on Lopez Island from january on this year. We had a few low flying cloud days there. Then there was the snow and that frigin wind. We were building on the west side about 150' back from the water. The wind would kick up so hard the ocean spray would clear the roof of the house and get us trying to hide on the leeward side :lol:

 

[visitor]

If you spray a little PBlaster on the cut as you slice around it'll cut through like butter. Discovered this a few years ago at a junkyard.

 

[astro355]

If you spray a little PBlaster on the cut as you slice around it'll cut through like butter. Discovered this a few years ago at a junkyard.

Quoted for truth. :goodpost:

 

[91astroluv]

You might want to check out/ research someone who has an induction tool?
Help me out guys, its a tool that gets really hot throught induction and it has a cloth wrap on it and it removes dings and rips glass out clean. Saw a video on it some wheres?

My two cents
Trip