front windshield replacement rubber seal.

Howdy lads, I was wondering were can a fella purchase new windshield rubber for a 1969 Dodge Van A-108? The right side windshield is cracked and needs to be replaced as well as all the rubber. I understand I will have to have a local glass guy make a replacement glass but I don't know where to get the rubber. Thanks Dennis

the prices on e-bay are a fair price.

i used one from clester's auto restorations. just search the name and it will come up. i was quite happy with the quality of mine. reasonable price as well delivered to the door......

restoration specialtys was also a great fit, and you can order with chrome strip, wich i did for an extra 15$ ..corrosive

So, did you guys replace the seal yourselves? Is it a simple job? Mine's trashed...

I did all my weatherstripping myself on all the windows. The plastic trim on the windshield seal was the most unpleasant task without a proper tool. I used tire mounting liquid to put all of them back in with electrical wire and it was super easy.

I purchased my rubber from Restoration Specialties with a non-chrome locking strip. Good price, quick shipping.

I am having a local glass company cut new glass, with tinted top, and install both the glass and rubber at my house. They have done work on a couple of my other classics and have done a great job.

Matt

i had mine done by a pro, it took him 20 minutes, if you never worked with glass and new rubber seals i recomend you use a pro,

All sage advise. Never removed a windshield without breaking it, but I really want to treat the metal under it before the new rubber goes in...

DB,

This is the exact step I am at on my van. I am cleaning around the windshield and getting ready to paint the dash. When the dash has been painted and the area around the windshield has been cleaned/primed I will be having new glass put in.

I sure would love to come over when you yank the glass. I have a varied work schedule that has me having alternating Tuesdays and Fridays off, and all Thursdays for now, so if it's during the work week, I could come and help, or certainly just watch and learn.

I cannot say how happy I am,to have found a an active FC Van interest group in my area. I have been suffering from Jeep forum withdrawal for a while.

Hey DB, check your PM.

Matt

Thanks for your help guys. I got my windshield seal from Clesters. I took Dodge Man advice and had a pro make a new driver side glass and they install it all in about 20 min. like he said. About $90 for the glass and $65 to install. I was happy.

Now on to the next project. New wiring from Ron Francis. This will be fun. I have never done a entire rewire before. Hope the instruction are good and have lots of pictures. Dennis

I pulled my original harness from the van. It came out without me causing any damage, but there are a couple questionable splices from previous owners.

I purchased a 21 circuit system from EZWire [I know, too many circuits, but I have plans ].

I, like you, have never completely rewired a vehicle. I am willing to share my ideas/problems/fixes if you are...

Matt

Mattimuss, That sounds good. Like you I decided to go with the larger system. 18 circuit Express system from Ron Francis. It is nice to have more circuits then not enough. Next pay day I should have enough yenom to order the system. Talk at ya later. Dennis

On the windshield-
If you are replacing the seal, first remove the lock strip which is the harder rubber in the center. Use a large flat blade screwdriver. A hammer is handy if it's hard and brittle, but be careful! Work up to the force needed rather than just start beating on it.
Next, grab a carpet knife, putty knife or similar wide flat blade and cut the rubber flat outward from the glass surface. If it's also hard and brittle, you may have to use the hammer and chip it away. The idea being to remove all rubber from the glass forward. Then the glass can be removed, then the rest of the seal.

For wiring -
I'd suggest calling whatever company you are planning on using and discuss your project. They should be able to accommodate the differences from regular cars to the midship engine location in the harness so you don't have to add wire. If not, check other suppliers! Wiring is very time consuming and detail-oriented, but can be done by almost anyone with some mechanical ability.

Schoessow wrote:Thanks for your help guys. I got my windshield seal from Clesters. I took Dodge Man advice and had a pro make a new driver side glass and they install it all in about 20 min. like he said. About $90 for the glass and $65 to install. I was happy.

Now on to the next project. New wiring from Ron Francis. This will be fun. I have never done a entire rewire before. Hope the instruction are good and have lots of pictures. Dennis

I just did a Ron Francis harness, and it was well done, but all the engine wiring was too short. I went with the Classic Mopar harness. If you go that route, do call them and inform them that you want them to add 4 feet to the ignition, and charging portion of the harness, and to the gauge cluster. That was a major screwup for me, and I ended up splicing all those connections.

I need to replace the lock strip which is the harder rubber in the center. Is there any company that sells an after market replacement?

Hey WestCoast,

I misspoke earlier, I didn't get mine from Restoration Specialties, I got it here:
http://precisionrestorationparts.com/i-8705211-1964-1970-dodge-van-windshield-weatherstrip.html

You can get the windshield gasket & locking strip, just the gasket, or just the locking strip.

Their prices are good and the shipping fast.

Matt

mattimuss wrote:Hey WestCoast,

I misspoke earlier, I didn't get mine from Restoration Specialties, I got it here:
http://precisionrestorationparts.com/i-8705211-1964-1970-dodge-van-windshield-weatherstrip.html

Matt,
I just received the same gasket. Any tips for install to share?

Hey jfox,

After reading all the posts here and elsewhere I have decided to farm it out. I contacted Mark's Glass in Santee. He's going to cut new glass for me and install everything at my house.

If you do plan to install it yourself let me know. Maybe we can coordinate a time so I can help. I have found that an extra set of hands/eyes are always a great addition!

Matt

Matt, i'm going to give it a shot this weekend. I'll follow the advise for removal Rod posted. Anyone else have insight? Matt pm me if you wanna swing by. I'm off Fletcher pkwy.

I have also decided, to farm it out.

Super EASY install. I gave it a shot(alone) with great results. Here is what i did; Dry fit the new seal into the van window opening, soap the inside channel of the seal where the glass will sit. Slide one glass panel into the bottom first. Using my plastic mountain bike tire iron i "shoe horned" the the upper part of the seal over the top of the glass. Leave the center strip alone for now. Perform the same on the other piece of glass. Your left with the two windshields overlapping at the center. Turn the center strip a quarter turn to catch both edges of glass. Lightly press from the front of both pieces of glass and they will seat in. From there the locking strip is straight forward. Used the garden hose to test for leaks. I can honestly say that to date this is the easiest project on the van i have done. Don't be intimidated, its just flat glass. The whole job with removal took me about an hour. I would be happy to help anyone out here in San Diego with an A100/108.

Nice to know! I have a set of nylon tire spoons too, guess I will throw them in the tool box?