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Replacing Windshield Frame

7.8K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  Luckymac  
#1 ·
Please excuse my lack of experience. My first jeep was a 2010 JK that I donated the to ex to make her go away.

I have now purchased an 89 YJ as a toy. Floor and windshield cancer really being my only major issues.

With needing to replace my windshield frame, I have been looking around and came across these 2

KEY PARTS
https://www.quadratec.com/products/...s/12501_00_07.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiJm18qLS5gIVF2KGCh3vvwt0EAQYASABEgK-zfD_BwE

Shipping Weight: 24lb
Shipping Dimensions: 64in x 27in x 5in (L x W x H)

$139.99


OMIX
https://www.quadratec.com/products/912006_09_07.htm

Shipping Weight: 32lb
Shipping Dimensions: 64in x 28in x 5in (L x W x H)

$183.99

So my confusion, beside the price, is the width and weight difference. Which option is the best?
 

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#3 ·
I replaced mine on the CJ last year with an omnix, the holes lined up ok for the hinge mounts. The upper bolt holes for roll bar were not there had to mark it,drill it and install thread inserts to mount roll bar. I also replaced my glass and that had to be cut down to fit frame I had local auto glass co. come out and install it they cut it and installed right at my shop.
 
#5 ·
I bought a new frame and all the seals as mine had rusted out . The windshield was cracked , so the plan was to get a new windshield through my insurance . The guy came to the house and install the windshield before I put it back on the Jeep . I had been warned to spend the money a buy a quality frame . At the time money was tight so I went cheap ( bad move ) . The windshield frame came primed , I put 2 more coats of primer plus a coat of paint . I installed the new frame and windshield . The new seal was pretty thick and I could not attach the roll bar cross members ( from roll bar to windshield).I took a ratchet strap around the roll bar and windshield and slowly ratcheted back until everything lined up( I was hoping not to crack the windshield) . I left it overnight to compress the new gasket. The frame rusted from the inside over time . I have realized some of the parts ( the cheap ones) all rust from inside, it seems to be Chinese made parts . Now I try to research parts and read reviews. If possible spend the money and get quality parts. Good news the windshield frame is the only rust on my Jeep . I’m still not sure if the ratchet strap is a good idea , is there a better solution ?
😎
 
#8 ·
Hey fellas, I’m not crying in my beer yet, but I’m restoring a 1995yj. The problem I have is I can’t, as of yet, find one wide enough! Q-track and Morris units are roughly 1inch to short from the hinges! Smith built hinges. Body lines are straight, doors hang right, I don’t get it! Any help would be greatly appreciated, Geezer 1995
 
#9 ·
I bought a windshield frame from Quadratec in April of 2014. It fit the vehicle just fine at the cowl panel and hinges. I had a minor issue fitting the windshield wiper motor and had to grind away a bit of the inner structure so that the wiper motor could operate the wiper linkage. I had already painted the windshield frame, so sending it back wasn't an option.

Qtec PN> 12501 00 07 $139.99. It came with a DOT sticker. Mine was made in Taiwan.

The issue is that the online sellers buy from whomever is currently manufacturing the parts that their customers want/need.

If a factory is producing a good part, everyone is happy. It seems that some aftermarket parts are being made by a poor quality factory with little concern for customer satisfaction. I expect most are currently being made in China.

Keep sending the crappy parts back to the seller.
ALWAYS pay with a credit card, rather than a debit card. With a CC, you have some recourse. With a debit card, you're usually SOL. If you call or write, always be polite. If calling, ask for the person's name and write it down. Keep notes of the conversation, or better yet, record it. I prefer email, that way there's no misunderstanding ending in "He said, She said....".
Plus, buy from a reputable seller. Who would you trust more, Quadratec or Jimmy C's car parts and used furniture website?

Good Luck, L.M.
 

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owns 1987 JEEP Wrangler
#10 ·
For anyone looking to repair a windshield frame, look at these pics.

Pic 1 shows just a bit of surface rust on the passenger side lower. Look at the shadow behind the frame. You can see the sun shining through the rust holes.
Pics 2-3 show that the rust is way more advanced than a person might have guessed before removing the glass and sealant. I thought I had more pics showing how bad the rot really was. It was worse that these pics show, especially in the lower corners.

This is one source of water on the floor. The rot doesn't show from the outside, but the water still gets in.

The first half of my career I was a journeyman body technician. I can repair stuff like this, but for $139.00 ($183.99 today for the OMIX frame) it just isn't worth it. Repairs to this type of damage are best left to the pros, but at the labor rate X the number of hours it'd take to repair this rot, it's way cheaper th simply buy a new windshield frame.

I built a CJ7 years ago while I was a body Shop owner. A new, original windshield frame was $400.00 at that time (about 1986). I paid the price for the new OE part because it was cheaper than paying one of the technicians to repair the old one properly.

Good Luck, L.M.
 

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owns 1987 JEEP Wrangler
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