Windshield Woes

[Joopin]

Well, I knew this day would come. I have to start thinking about what I am going to do with my windshield Frame. When I bought the jeep it had just a little bubble of rust on the drivers side. Now over 2 years later, it has gotten worse and especially worse this summer, traveling along the underside of the glass.
I figure I have 2 options:
Take the frame off, sand it, wirebrush it, repaint it and install.
or
Buy a new frame, paint it new rubber, swap the glass, and smile.

What have you guys done? I know I'm not the only one that this has happend to. Also, if I do get a new frame, are there ways to keep this from happening again? I guess it's the water that gets in the holes on top of the frame that causes the rust... but the holes are nessesary.

Thanks for any input!

Joop

 

[redrooster]

RE: J10 Dana 44 on a YJ?

The replacement frame that I got was already primed black when I rec'd it. I don't recall how much it cost, but it wasn't too bad. All you can do to prevent further rust is to make sure it is primed with some quality primer and possibly make some drain holes in there somehow. I suppose you could throw some dissicant gel packs out of your old shoe boxes inside there to absorb some of the moisture.
The most fun part is fishing the wiper mechanism arms out. You will need needle nose pliers, beer and patience. Not too bad for a Jedi though.

 

[jay79cj7]

Ha. Redrooster is right with the wiper linkage. For my CJ, it was tough to get the motor and short arm out.

I got a new frame online for around $120 I think. (CJ, not YJ) I broke my glass putting it back in, so I have been driving with a cracked windshield for a couple months. It really shouldn't be that hard, but I messed up. You can handle it.

 

[mingez]

RE: Master install kit for Dana 35 (My auction on ebay)

Buy a new one....ya cheap bastid! :twisted:

Your time is more valuable than the amount if time it'll take you to sand, repaint and install the old one. Plus, you'll never be happy, because in the back of your mind you'll be thinking "did I get all of the rust?"

 

[TwistedCU]

How bad is it? I'd be leaning towards sanding/primer/paint if it is not too bad. Try some drain holes like Red said. It's worth a shot.

If it's badly rusted through in spots then yeah replace it, but if we're talking surface rust then by all means save yourself the $$$ and the hassle (wipers, torx bolts, lining up the hinges, cowl seal, etc) of swapping it out.

 

[mingez]

RE: ya

well, it sounds pretty bad because he's suggesting that he's gonna have to pull the entire frame off in order to sand it, etc..

So he's gonna have to do all of that work anyway.

 

[jay79cj7]

Plus, if you have rust on the outside surface, you probably have it on the inside surface which you can't really clean up.

 

[wm69]

I got a fiberglass one, but looking back wish I'd gotten a good steel one. I'm not sure how good the glass one is going to hold up, and my wipers are already making a slapping noise so I see trouble looming in the future. Get a new one, and get one with the reinforcing rib across where the wiper pivots come out of the front of the frame. That's one more thing you won't have to worry about replacing again.......

 

[Snitty]

RE: Re: RE: Another Jeep Decision

Take it off and leave it off. Build a tubular frame with a mesh stone guard

 

[Joopin]

Re: RE: Jeep Trailor???

Okay, looks like I'll just get a new one. It would be one thing if I caught it earlier but I am worried at the rate it is spreading this summer. There are no holes in it yet but the paint is chipping off and rust is bustin through. My dad used to install windshields back in the day so he can help with that part... now just gotta find the time. Thanks for the input!

I'll save Snittys idea for when it's strictly a trail rig and I tip over and crack the glass for the first time...