Woodstock

I really like how it sits in the outer frame. The old original I have shows that it sits closer to the bottom than the top, and that's how I will place it when I drill for the hinges.

Looking at the hinges, one of them has some deep rust pitting after blasting, so I am going to try to add back some material with a few welds.

It's better, not perfect, but you really can't see this once installed.

Placing the hinges so I can drill the outer frame. Of course, I'm half a hole off again on the aluminum frame. I think this stuff is from multiple 70 year old frames, that would explain the various fitment issues.

I welded up the one hole, then re-drilled. Now ready to drill the outer frame, after centering the inner frame in the hole.

 

Great documentation on the windshield build and I'll be watching the progress closely. I have a CJ5 ventilating windshield and while not identical, it's quite similar. Aside from the different dimensions, the windshield is split and the filler between the two panes is steel like the rest of the inner frame. Nice work....Pete

 

I was under the impression that dimensions were the same for glass for 3B and CJ5. I was misinformed or just going senile. Please don't be shy with posting more pics of your w/s restoration. Got this from fellow member Chris Insull I think a couple years ago along with another in not as good a shape as the one below. This will be a project coming up at some point soon and I probably will need all the help I can get (I don't intend to hijack your thread). I do have a couple inner seals from Peter DeBella on the shelf and recall he's getting about $120.00 for them last summer....Ouch. You're lucky to have one for a 3B for sure....What a find!

Pete

 

Thanks Pete, glad you're following along. It's a fun little project, totally optional, I really should be working on more important things, but this is more fun. Yours will a relatively easy job, since it's all together.

 

That's a beauty of a windshield, I remember when Chris was selling it. It'll look good on your jeep someday!

 

After a Christmas break, I got back to the windshield today. With the hinges mounted to the inner frame, I can place it in the outer and drill for mounting to the outer.

The bolts pass though the outer frame, and are tapped into the hinge. There is not a lot of meat there, and a nut won't work because when fully open, the hinge does not have any clearance between the 2 halves. I might be able to squeeze in a thin nut to give it more support.

With it fully open, I can place the arms and mounts. It does not appear that it will swing 90 degrees to the outer frame, but maybe 85 degrees.

I played with placement of the arms. A mix of whats on the old frame, what works when closed, and open. And now I see another problem.

I'll deal with the other problem tomorrow. In the meantime, I looked at the placement of the latch catch. The old one is stitch welded around the edge, but I am thinking of spot welding this one. Thoughts?

 

I think pem nuts are what you need for the hinges.

 

I like that idea.

 

Could you please explain what (pem nuts) are. They must be some sort of low profile nut?

 

Pem nuts are sort of like low profile nutzerts.
Except made of a harder material and the surrounding material deforms around them using a press. Typically the overall size of a jam nut. You put it on the wrong side of a part and you throw the part away, no 2nd try.

 

Ah, learned something today, Thanks

 

I'll get some of these. Thanks for the tip.

 

Just make sure the correct drill bit is used in a drill press and the existing threads don't interfere. These fasteners are among the most irritating fastener we use there is almost zero tolerance to hole size.

 

Ok, the other problem is that the little pivot brackets (repops) are too deep. They force the folding arm (some call them lollipops) to the inside, not in line with how they should go. Should be an easy fix though. Once again, glad I'm not paying someone by the hour for this little optional job.

I'm going to take a fat quarter out of them and weld back together.

A quick dummy up after tacking, now everything moves smoothly.

The arm is only so long. If I move it to where the window opens further, it won't fold up. It also dawned on me that the frame leans back 17*, so it does open 90* to the world.

After several tests, and a few beers, I'm happy with the final placement of the brackets and arms. I also compared it to the old frame, (remember that one?), I final welded it. Getting closer.

 

While anticipating the glass to be done, (today is the 2 weeks he told me), I have a few last items to address before paint. The hinge bolts in the header panel are half on the windshield channel. On the original windshield I have, they cut a little relief in the ws channel, so the bolt heads would sit flat.

I rigged up a 1" hole saw, and cut just through the ws channel, without getting into the header panel. This will work.

Next is the inner frame lock catch. I referred to the original for placement. I am a little nervous about welding this, since i don't have the inner frame here while it's getting glass, but moving forward anyway. It looks like there are 2 small welds along the bottom to the tube, and some spot weld through the top.

I don't think my spot welder does well with 2 different thicknesses, so I will just drill the bracket and plug weld it. Measure twice, then zip zap. Ready for body work.

 

Still waiting for the glass. Went by the shop today, left a note for the guy to call me. Now a week overdue. But I did get some light bodywork done on the outer frame, just to make the bottom panel straight. A little filler and sanding with a long board.

Rolled it outside for a quick coat of high build primer.

It's ready for a light sanding with 400, then black. I usually just rattle can something like this but might try something else, Summit's hot rod matte black, since I have the time.

 

Looking good! Are you using the CJ3B arms? My windshield opens up 90* to the world. Zoom in here and you can see.

 

Here is an inside shot with the windshield fully open.

 

It's close to 90 if you count the lean back of the frame, which is 17*. But I'd like to know how long your arms are, if you don't mind. Like from bolt center to center would be awesome.

 

My wife and I are in India and won’t be home for 3 weeks. Will measure the arms then!