Side Glass Replacement

[Die.Fledermaus]

So during the last batch of winter storms a 12ft section of madrone broke out my side glass on my 87. Googling/searching I didn’t find much other than they unbolt, use some special tape, then bolt it back in. No one seems to offer the OEM optional ‘84 tool free removable glass or a blanking panel and it rains too much to turn it into a roadster. So, stock is really the only option.

Lucky for me I have a second generation parts hulk and I am assuming they are the same enough. Is it really that easy?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yes and no.... yes, the glass is the same. No, it is not always easy to remove the glass without breaking it. The glass is side specific with its shape. You have to remove the interior trim to access the bolts and remove the nuts. I usually leave a couple nuts on the studs but loose at the top and work my way from the bottom up. Find the loosest place to start and work from there. It's easiest to do on a hot summer day though, lol.

Is that parts truck really that clean and solid of a body? What's the interior like? Would you consider parting with it and where are you located? I have some spare side glass already out of a truck.... lol


Sent from my kite using a trebuchet

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

That parts b2 is the nicest of my fleet, best dash even. I was planning on using as a backup transmission/case/driveshaft donor, other than a clean looking 2.9 not much can be used it has open economy axles.

The worst is easily the one I want to save, it needs everything and now a damn side window

The state of Jefferson is a region of southern oregon and northern california, it will not be warm enough to try for a couple of months.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Gah, other side of the world, lol. I feel the pain though, I'm trying to resurrect one of the worst in my fleet too. Seeing that nice looking one got me thinking of dropping that body on my frame and calling it a day.


Sent from my kite using a trebuchet

 

[fastpakr]

So during the last batch of winter storms a 12ft section of madrone broke out my side glass on my 87. Googling/searching I didn’t find much other than they unbolt, use some special tape, then bolt it back in. No one seems to offer the OEM optional ‘84 tool free removable glass or a blanking panel and it rains too much to turn it into a roadster. So, stock is really the only option.

The reason no one offers the removable glass is that it never actually existed. Seems to have made it into some production literature, but no one on this forum (AFAIK) has been able to prove its existence in the wild.

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

I don't doubt the existence of OEM removable glass.

Watch ? Motor Trends Tv's review of small SUVs (was that even a thing then?) between the Chevy/Jeep/B2 circa 1984, the glass is removed in that episode.

I just doubt todays availability, and of something besides OEM fixed offered at a cost I can afford.

 

[fastpakr]

Link?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would almost hit JY's rather than open up your parts BII to the elements.

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

Link?

No, but go ahead. (I’m on expensive and slow cellular internet)

Here is frame capture from a Motor Week episode "1984 Ford Bronco II". I don’t think this was the review I was thinking, there is a longer version of the same era where the host does the window R&R.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Very, very interesting.

I wonder if it was something they showed off but never made it into production.

 

[fastpakr]

That's my thought. Like I said previously, no one on TRS has ever been able to provide any confirmation of one in the last 15 years, including AllanD.

 

[dirtcowboy]

You've heard of pre-production vehicles, yes? All of the media gets pre vehicles to "test" After plenty of exposure the vehicles tend to end up crushed. The removable windows are illustrated in my 84's owners manual, but they never existed in real life. I removed a set of glass panels and, using 8" pipe, bent sheetmetal to the correct radius, with judicious trimming, and welded them to the body. With approximately 9 million tack welds and lots of grinding, body putty and sanding. No windows.

 

[bronco2fan]

That sounds like a lot of work, but would love to see pics of it.

 

[dirtcowboy]

Trying to recover something after a hard drive crash. As soon as I get something I will post them here.

Here is some of the inspirations I used.

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

Flat earth people, uggh. 6 volt cars didn't exist, because nobody has seem one in 15 years. .

I did think briefly about RV/Cargo trailer windows, but as you pointed out one would have to recreate the upper roof line to make a flat frame work. With my skills the body filler would cause the suspension to lean more on one side.