98 Ranger front windshield replacement compatibility options

[TheLinds]

Just smashed my front windshield on my 98 Ranger. Broke as a joke, gonna have to make a miracle happen and install myself; plus find a super cheap, if not free windshield for replacement. What years are compatible, if any, on rangers and are there any other makes and models I could attempt to pilfer? Much gratitude and appreciation as I’ve never even changed my own oil. Bust!

 

[sgtsandman]

1998-2011 windshields will all fit. You could check junk yards. The catch is that DIY windshield removal and replacement is not an easy job even for an experienced mechanic if they don't have the specific tools for the job. I'm pretty handy and I don't think I would want to tackle that.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. Good luck!

 

[don4331]

Rear window, no problem - about 10 bolts and it will ease out. A little butyl and bolt it back in and you would have replace the solid glass with a slider. Door glass, again no problem - 2 bolts, drill out 2 rivets and its yours - you can substitute a 3/16 bolt and nyloc nut for the rivet to reinstall. Super cab windows are even easier, they just unbolt.

Windshield - call the pros.

Removing a windshield at a wrecker is a two person job and challenging one at that. You need a length of fine wire (guitar string), couple pencils (hardware store ones are better than round ones), and bunch of popsicle sticks.

You thread the wire between the windshield and cab and wrap around pencils. Then, like lumber jack of old, persons inside and outside alternate pulling wire in and out while working their way around the windshield. Popsicle sticks are used to hold windshield out as you progress so it does seal back in.

Care must be taken not to saw against windshield (and break it) or against frame and damage the paint.

With both windshields out, you clean old glue off your truck and apply new. Then, install the replacement windshield, duct taping it in place for 24 hours while the glue sets.

As it would cost me $50 for windshield (assuming I could find an undamaged one), $20 for the caulking/cleaner/paper towel/etc, and at least 3 hours of my time and a buddy's*; the $175 for my glass guy to come and install a new windshield in my driveway is worth it. Note: the $175 is Cdn, USD price would be about 75% of that at current exchange.

And getting it done by a pro guarantees not leaks (if it does - they fix it).

 

[pjtoledo]

when removing old, WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES

that wire can break, it will snap back.
plus lots of broken glass will be popping all over the place.
been there, done that. still have both eyes.

if applicable, check with your insurance. many policies cover the windshield with no deductible.

 

[RonD]

And just a heads up

Its tempered glass, all the windows are, what this means is they are very strong straight on

But if you touch the edge with a metal tool window will shatter, and wrecking yard will charge you for each window you break
So removing is hard and TRANSPORTING is hard, do not stand it up on metal

 

[Josh B]

I got the windshield replaced in mine this summer for just a bit over $200 by a professional installer. His father did the last one I had replaced, that was in 1982.

A windshield will break very easily, a door window will not. Simply tipping the windshield out from the window to lay it down while you prepare to carry it will break it unless you have the perfect cushions already in place to lay it on, and a perfectly even surface. They always must be moved/transported in the vertical position and secured so no twisting can occur

 

[19Walt93]

I paid to have mine replaced, it's urethaned in place so it would have been hard to remove like everyone's saying and if you were lucky enough to remove a used one and install it without breaking it, and if it didn't leak water afterwards, you've got a used and probably blemished windshield. The dealer I worked for had a body shop with experienced techs, we used to sublet windshields to a glass vendor because it's so easy to break one installing it. If we broke it we'd have to eat it, if the glass company broke it they'd get us another one at their expense.

 

[TheLinds]

Thank you all for the quite helpful information that has detoured my previous plans to fix myself. End result = still rocking the spiderweb effect hoping to maintain a low profile until I find $200 lying on the ground somewhere. Lol

 

[ret_Marine2003]

Call your nearest "Auto Glass Specialists" and ask for a quote.

Ask if there would be a discount if you remove the existing window and strip all of the old sealant and debris from the window frame. (I charge extra if I receive some half-ass work that prevents me from installing the windshield.)

If they offer a discount for that, make sure the juice is worth the squeeze. (If the discount does not make up for time spent and cuts received, the juice was not worth the squeeze.)