Windshield Dimension

[bldr.rob]

Hey guys - I'm trying to set the windshield and the best dimension I can get is 28-1/8" from the back of the door opening to the center of the top screw. It seems that i need to slide the whole windshield back but the body cutouts won't allow it. And now the kicker....the body is already painted so I'd really like to not cut the holes longer if there is a better way. Also, if I have to enlarge the holes in the body the chrome escutcheons won't cover the hole completely. Is it ok to use the 28-1/8" dimension on both sides? How critical is the 27" dimension? I have also cut down the side arms so they don't hit the frame. Thanks in advance!

Rob

[egchewy79]

are you planning on having a soft or hard top? if not, the rake of the windshield shouldn't matter that much. If set too low, and you're too tall, then the top of the windshield might be in your line of sight, and you would need to adjust the angle. FWIW, replicaparts makes a windshield trim bezel that is larger than the FFR piece I believe, in case you decided to open up the body cutouts. If not planning on a top, I'd just leave it alone if I were you.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Soft top or not the preferred dimension is 27 + or - a little. 28 will be pretty upright and may cause the bottom gasket to not contact the cowl. Too late for you but a word to others—-the windshield should always be fitted and the holes worked out prior to paint.

Jeff

[bldr.rob]

are you planning on having a soft or hard top? if not, the rake of the windshield shouldn't matter that much. If set too low, and you're too tall, then the top of the windshield might be in your line of sight, and you would need to adjust the angle. FWIW, replicaparts makes a windshield trim bezel that is larger than the FFR piece I believe, in case you decided to open up the body cutouts. If not planning on a top, I'd just leave it alone if I were you.

Ok, thanks. I'm not planning to have a soft top. May be a cover that only covers the interior when parked (tonneau cover?) Thanks for the tip on the replicaparts bezel. I'd really like to get this to the right dimension and may tempt fate and slowly cut the opening a little larger.

[bldr.rob]

Soft top or not the preferred dimension is 27 + or - a little. 28 will be pretty upright and may cause the bottom gasket to not contact the cowl. Too late for you but a word to others—-the windshield should always be fitted and the holes worked out prior to paint.

Jeff

Ok, thank you. I was wondering about the gasket fit as well. I definitely should have fitted this and other things before sending it to paint.

[rich grsc]

What's the big deal with enlarging the slot for the windshield? The chrome trim piece is plenty big enough to cover the opening, and you're not going to damage any paint using a Dremel to open up the slot slightly. It only takes a small amount to move the frame back

[Theshandman]

The build school guys had crafted and dimensioned a 2x4 that was notched to fit on the aft-cockpit edge of the body (unpainted of course) and the top center of the windshield to hold it at the optimal angle for attaching the windshield brackets to the frame. Seemed like a clever idea and worked great.

[GTBradley]

I would suggest looking at profile pictures of cars that have the windshield more upright or more raked back and decide which you like the looks of better. Of course, this is taking into account your height when setting in the seat too.

[bldr.rob]

What's the big deal with enlarging the slot for the windshield? The chrome trim piece is plenty big enough to cover the opening, and you're not going to damage any paint using a Dremel to open up the slot slightly. It only takes a small amount to move the frame back

The chrome escutcheon is actually not big enough if i enlarge the current slot. That was one of my concerns - where to get new pieces to cover the larger holes. Fortunately @egchwey79 found them on replicaparts.com and I also spoke to a couple of guys in my local club yesterday who said they could make them for me as well. Just nervous about cutting into the paint.

[bldr.rob]

The build school guys had crafted and dimensioned a 2x4 that was notched to fit on the aft-cockpit edge of the body (unpainted of course) and the top center of the windshield to hold it at the optimal angle for attaching the windshield brackets to the frame. Seemed like a clever idea and worked great.

Thanks, I did see that after I posted this as well. I may still try that as well as opening up the slots.

[Jeff Kleiner]

…replicaparts makes a windshield trim bezel that is larger than the FFR piece I believe…

I covers the same area. It fully surrounds the entire post whereas the FFR escutcheons are a “C”. This forces the windshield to sit about 1/8-3/16” higher above the cowl.

Jefg

[egchewy79]

I stand corrected. Jeff is like a freaking cobra encyclopedia