Fiberglass windsheild

[DADSOLDCJ]

About 8 years ago my dad put a new steel windshield frame on a fiberglass tub for a mild rebuild of a '76 CJ5 . That frame has since rotted out already. I was looking into replacing it with a fiberglass one. Is this a good idea? Any real reason to stick with steel, if so, how to keep it from rusting.

On another note, are the seats/ seatbelts supposed to be only directly bolted to the fiberglass floor? Is there some structure in there to support them? What's the deal?

Thanks

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I would stay with steel for rigidity and such.
LG

 

[gr8dain]

I have the fiberglass windshield and tub from 4wd. I don't mind it really, but 4wd has one of the better glass kits. One thing I have noticed is that the screw holes for anything attached have wallowed and I end up replacing with bigger screws or rivets. Other than that, I have had no issues. In fact, i was happy when I made the wiper pivot holes wider for the YJ windshield wipers as it was easier to cut than the steel.

But if you can find an OEM steel frame with no rust, go for it. And really coat it with something like por 15 before painting.

As for the seatbelts, mine are just through the glass tub, but I have large fenderwashers on the other side of the tub to add strength. Same with the seat bolts, even the ones going through the wood piece sandwiched between the glass. I think the washers are 2.5" or more. They came with the seat belts. And I have since gotten more from fastenal.

 

[tarry99]

Steel is great if you can find a good OEM frame that is not rusted to badly. The 76 and later frames should be easy to find on CL or Jeep wrecking yards.... look in the southwest for rust free frames.........maybe J&W in Cally?

the most common place for rust is in the lower lip channel that locates the rubber and glass.......also the defrost vent area.......There out there I see them all the time in Cally...

New aftermarket Replacement frames are coming from one source off-shore and the fit , finish and placement of holes all seem to be off some

 

[shum8]

YJ frames will work as well but will require modifications for the defrost. That would allow using YJ spreader bars if you ever had a hankering to.....

 

[gr8dain]

YJ frames will work as well but will require modifications for the defrost. That would allow using YJ spreader bars if you ever had a hankering to.....

And would allow the use of YJ wiper linkage, which I highly recommend.

 

[shum8]

Fergot about that part - I'm in the process of workin a YJ frame over now.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[R717]

New aftermarket Replacement frames are coming from one source off-shore and the fit , finish and placement of holes all seem to be off some

I went with the steel one when my original rusted in the drivers side corner. Was quite disappointed with the quality. The steel was definitely thinner. When I turned the wipers on, you could see it flex with the motion of the wipers. Within a year, it began flexing to the point the wiper linkage bound up.

Switched to a fg one from 4wd, it did require some tweaking to get it to bolt up. It doesn't fit the hardtop real well, but wipers work again and the soft and bikini tops are fine after through-bolting the windshield channel.

 

[mtnwhlr]

The best thing is to try and find a good original one all the after market ones are .

 

[Posi]

^^^ This

 

[DADSOLDCJ]

Wow thanks everyone for the advise. Using a yj ws frame is very interesting... but I'll keep a lookout for oem. And I'll get some large washers for mounting the seats, and mount the belts to the frame. Thanks again.