Windshield frame stiffening?

[Canadian818]

We all know the frame is pretty flimsy, but being hollow throughout, couldn't we do something about that? Like injecting expanding foam with a long hose or something? And since the steel only goes so far into the frame, could we stick a piece of round stock up to the corners and weld them to the mounting flanges? Obviously the windshield should be attached before doing so, I'd hate to stiffen it to the wrong shape.

It's just that I know I'm going to be yelling at people trying to use the windshield as a grab handle to get in and out, and I'd like to avoid a broken frame or windshield. Thoughts?

[UnhipPopano]

The solution of filling the vertical tubes is similar to back surgery where the spine is fused. The windshield will be stiffer but not necessarily stronger.

[flynntuna]

I'm considering incorporating a grab handle on the dash like early corvettes. A composite of the 1960 and 65 corvette.

[Frank818]

ike injecting expanding foam with a long hose or something?

What type of foam would stiffen the surround?
Also many have the windshield glass already on, ideally if there could be a solution that does not require the glass to be off that'd be good too.


I'm considering incorporating a grab handle on the dash like early corvettes. A composite of the 1960 and 65 corvette.

The dash is weaker than the whindshield, I guess you'd have to attach the handle to the frame.

[RM1SepEx]

I drilled into the windshield frame and inserted a couple roll pins on each side. The lever is so long that without them you can rotate the windshield around those two 1/2 bolts, no matter how long a pipe you use to tighten it. Some sort of irregular surface (grooves?) on the surface would help too but the powder coat makes it easy to slide.

60392

[flynntuna]

The roll pin is a great idea for setting and maintaining the angle of the windshield. It may also contribute to breaking the windshield if someone grabs the windshield to get out of the car.
The only solutions I can think of would be to cut the windshield frame to reinforce it some how, add a grab bar to the frame and integrate it to the dash, or add a roll cage with the front roll bar behind or incorporated in the windshield frame.
What do you guys think?

[Mechie3]

For now I have no passenger seat so no one to grab it. In the future I plan to put a sticker there that says "not a handle" or "no grab", etc.

[Frank818]

NO GRAB. hahahahaha, I know exactly where I'd stick that. lolll

Dan it's a good idea, I think I'll drill holes too and insert some bolts, as tight as possible.

[RM1SepEx]

The roll pin is a great idea for setting and maintaining the angle of the windshield. It may also contribute to breaking the windshield if someone grabs the windshield to get out of the car.
The only solutions I can think of would be to cut the windshield frame to reinforce it some how, add a grab bar to the frame and integrate it to the dash, or add a roll cage with the front roll bar behind or incorporated in the windshield frame.
What do you guys think?

if it breaks it gets replaced for $50 on my insurance no big deal. I had it swing downward twice with riders trying to use it as a handle and it brings the bottom edge into the top of the door

[flynntuna]

Dan, I saw your post in the ask a tech sectionhttp://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?24609-818S-windshield-header-construction-top-mounting what do you think of cutting a slot across the width of the windshield with vertical slots to accommodate the insertion of a length of metal that has been drilled and taped for a series of bolts. then inject adhesive into the slot. Next slide the length of metal with the bolts with nuts and washers added into the slot then use the nuts and washers to hold the metal against the inside of the windshield. when the adhesive has cured the windshield can be repaired filling in the slots. A lot of work to do for sure and perhaps a thinner length of metal with rivnuts would be better. just an idea I had . is this overkill? thoughts ?

[AZPete]

Here's a post from a very knowledgeable guy, Blwalker105, that explores adding strength to the FFR hardtop, but may also apply to the S windshield. Bill explains injecting the windshield A pillars and the resulting rigidity.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?22894-Coupe-A-pillar-reinforcement

[RM1SepEx]

Flynntuna, holy crap, that's a load of work! :rolleyes: Tom Wallace says he used rivets for the FFR soft top... I'll come up with something to attach the bikini to

[flynntuna]

Yeah, maybe overkill. Perhaps a piece of aluminum or steel 1x2 at each point of attachment would be enough. I just don't trust a rinut in the fiberglass would be enough to hold the top at 70mph.

[RM1SepEx]

I'm thinking 8-10 3/16 pop rivets

[flynntuna]

I'm over thinking this, for what I'm thinking of doing using a top like what is used in the viper, a simple clamp style like what FFR uses will work. The top will overhang the windshield frame and will be clamped to the bottom with a screw type clamp. Something similar around the roll bar should be enough. I think:p