Our continuing Project F-1 truck is moving right along, and this month we tackle installing the glass in both the cab and the doors. Once again, Altered Engineering in Orange, California, got the call as we continue to build this custom hauler. All the original glass in the '50 Ford had seen better days, so we called on Sacramento Vintage Ford for all-new glass. A few days later the big brown truck arrived with several boxes.
The replacement windshield was ordered with a tinted strip at the top for sun protection on those bright So Cal days, while the door and back glass were smoked for privacy and a cool look. To carry the smooth look that the truck was getting even further, Sacramento Vintage Ford supplied a one-piece side-glass kit that eliminates the vent windows in the doors for a totally clean and custom look.
Since the guys were installing new door glass, we figured that they might as well be power, and this also seemed like a good time to install solenoids for the doors. The outer handles have been shaved from the body, so we needed a way to open them from the outside. AutoLoc came through with the power window kit and the solenoids, as well as some very cool power window switches that will actually allow us to keep the original-style replacement window cranks from Blue Oval Truck Parts.
Many backyard builders are afraid to tackle glass installation and leave it to the pros. As the following pictures show, it really isn't an impossible task-especially in trucks like the F-1s that have all flat glass, not the curved windshield as on the '53 and later Fords.
We took the better part of a day to complete the job, but with some patience and a little luck the home builder could duplicate these results over a weekend in the garage with a couple of buddies. Check out how we installed the glass and hardware-then you'll have an idea if you have the tools and ability to tackle this task yourself.