Door glass-1 piece conversion in '53 Chevy truck

Hello guys, please I need some advice. I'm going to replace on my '53 Chevy truck my old door glass with vent glass and install 1 piece door glass without vent such as models '47 to '50. Where do I set the glass channel on the front door? Is a very difficult job? I already ordered all the parts necessary for the conversion of the old windows and I opted for the new glass with chrome frame,window regulator,guide channel,
anti-rattle kit ecc.Many thanks to all for your help. Orula (Frank64)

 

I am trying to do the same thing, any news or pic??

 

Years ago most guys just swapped the doors and were done with it. To do it right you will have to find the window moldings from a 47/50 as the 51 and later ones had a spot cut out for the vent window to fit into. Otherwise you will have a gap there.

 

Many thanks guys

 

Also try and get the regulators too.

Best option though is to try and find a good set of pre-51 doors. JMO

 

You're right 50scotbolt but I live in Italy and here there are no parts available for American cars . Today I received the new seals (from ClassicParts) and I'm trying crare new guides. Reviewed to understand just how do you upload a few photos. Many thanks

 

Check this out it seems easy but I haven't got to that point yet let me know if it helps you. http://www.customclassictrucks.com/...ion/electric_life_power_window_regulator.html

 

Oh yes, many thanks, I will truly be a great help. See you soon.

 

I can't offer any tips because I don't have an AD truck, but I love vent vindows. When I had my late model Dodge Diesel, I hated not having vent vindows.

 

I did this to my '52. Basically, you need to cut the wing window support out and add a new glass channel to the hinge side of the door. I used another set of '52 glass channels and just flipped them around (left door channel installed on right door and right door channel installed on left door) along with a couple brackets I made. The earlier style window regulators are different as are the inside door pieces...so it's easier just to add power units. I cut an access panel in the door to make it easier to install everything and make adjustments as needed. I installed the glass channels, new felt guides and power window motors along with new tinted glass. The access panel bolts back on and will be covered with a door panel. I also filled in the small notch in the inside garnish molding that was there for the wing window. Since you are going with the glass with the chrome frame, make sure you get the larger window felt (47-50) for thicker glass. The first three pictures show the LH door, last two show the RH door.
Good luck.

 

Many many thanks Rick_S, you gave me a great help with these pictures and this important explanation. Now I'm arranging everything I need, just finish the work I post photos. Thanks again.

 

I am going to post some pic from my conversion. I decide to use the glass without the frame, for two reason. One, I like the look better and second, is cheaper.
1. you need 4 lower rear door edge glass guide ($12 each, 51-55)
2. 2 door glass ($36 each, 47-50)
3. 1 door window wipes ($28 pair, 47-50), comes the inner and outer wipe.
4. 2 window felt. You need approx 90" for each door. They don't sell it as a kit, so I got the door window felt and glass run kit ($82 51-55). Also you are going to need an extra 2 window division bar insert ($23 each 51-55). I found later a place that sell the window felt, I will post the place later. So you don't' have to buy the felt kit, because you need to do some fabrication.
All the price is from car and trucks in orange california.
5. 2 brackets for the front edge glass guide, you need to fabricate that.

This is the door window felt and glass run kit ($82 51-55). I just bought this kit to have an idea what I am dealing with. Later I found out a place that sells the felt individually, I think is better because you don't have to fabricate the felt run. You will see it later. Here is their web www.restorationspecialties.com, go to catalog page 9 ($32 part# 10-G 96")


You need 4 lower rear door edge glass guide, 2 right door and 2 left door.


Cut the vent support


Install the rear side first, the finger points a reference so when you install the front side is at the same height.








Take it out and


cut the little tongues


Mark and drill holes, 2.5 from the edge



This is the part you make the front guide brackets, to support it


Put it on place


Install the glass and the felt channel and try to push the edge glass guide to the glass, so is tight. Them mark the holes


I hope you see the marks, then drill it


This is from the other side, but you get the idea. Try to make the hole more in the middle. This was the first, and was actually a little up


Now everything is in position. Before you put the felt, you have to compensate the size of the glass. Because I am using the glass only, no metal frame around, the sides are going to be a bit small. To compensate this you need to use washers or spacers. I used 2 in the front and 1 in the back edge channel

 

You don't need to fabricate this if you get the felt channel run from www.restorationspecialties.com or other place that sell it. You need 90" approx. This part is the felt kit.


This is the bottom part from the previous pic. This is the window division bar insert, it come with the kit. But you need and extra pair, because you can use it for one only.






I used this stud welder that I had it for long time, pretty good




Final setting




The corners

will raise the channel to make it fit better



I ordered some window regulators to finish the project, when I get it will post more pic. Have fun Orula

 

Here is the pic of the one piece felt run from www.restorationspecialties.com. Remember you need approx 90"

 

Hi Adriancyt,with these photos made me a beautiful Christmas present .
Many many many thanks. Thanks to your post now I can continue my project, you have been a great help to me, I was in serious trouble . You did a great job, congratulations and thanks again. When I finished my glass conversion also will post my photos. See you soon and Merry Christmas to all.

 

Is this place great or what?....I'm amazed every time I log on....

dj

 

Merry Christmas to all.......

 

Good info!

 

Holy moley awesome pics!

Believe it or not, this is a big help for me too....but I'm converting my '51 Ford from 1 pc to vents!

When does the first issue of the HAMB magazine come out, because this place can be a lot better than the car mags I get now.

What a pleasant surprise, thanks man!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy new year to you all

 

For those interested in seeing pictures of the work to the frame of my '53 Chevy Truck can look for this topic: How to lower my 53 Chevy truck? in Hokey Ass Message Board. I would be happy if I could help some of you. If you have any questions go ahead, I will answer with pleasure.

 

I see your point Orula,I've got the same problem here, but it looks like 'the guys' have saved the day!

Hope you had a great Christmas!

 

I member ask me to fabricate the brakets for him, so I wil post pic of the fabrication in detail for everybody, coming soon.

 

Hello guys,here I am.Today I want to post some pictures of my work to go to the 1 piece door glass. I hope to be helpful with my work,I have worked hard over the holidays.

I prepared all the things I need to buy the door glass conversion kit from ClassiParts (MO) and the door glass channels are long and 90 ". I chose to install the glass with chrome frame because I like to see the chrome part so I could not use the door glass channels guide as did our friend Adriancyt but I had to forge for myself.

From a retailer I bought a bar of iron U-1 "x1" about 20 feet long and I cut the right size for the Door glass channels guide.

 

I continue with the processing of the rear channels guides








I built these guides by copying the original model








I created a slot for the screw












Through this hole the screw will be thick and will not give any trouble to the door glass channels

 

Now step to the realization of the front bracket starting with a piece of iron box and cut in half








After cutting to size bracket I welded a bracket on it another 90 degrees and then create holes for fixing




This is the result photographed from two angles







Then the door step to drilling










I hope you can understand the position I found to the front guide

 

Even for fixing the guide at the top I created a loop for the screw












This is the finished product










Tomorrow will post more photos on installing the window regulator but to see the work completely finished it will take another few months, the truck will be painted, and only then I can put it back together. Please, if you need any clarification please feel free to ask questions, will be a pleasure to answer you. Thanks to all

 

To install the glass one must cut the support of the vent glass






Now the passage is free



This is the procedure I used for the installation of window regulator
















I hope the work I've done you like it, I tried to do my best . If you have questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me. Many thanks. Frank orula

 

cool "how to" thread.

 

Excellent work, congratulation.