Lower Windshield Frame to Cowl Bracket

[Gumball]

UPDATED 5/16/16 - Today's TTT for an old how-to is something you don't see on many replica builds. This part is very easy to make, but having the windshield rod somewhat complicates the final installation.

Original post follows......



I'm installing a soft top and so my windshield will be subject to some additional forces. I have the center support rod kit from **********, but I also wanted to install a bracket from the lower windshield frame to the top of the cowl, like the original cars - here's a photo of one on an original CSX2000-series:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Topofdashwithlowerwindscreenbrace.jpg

And here's the same bracket on CSX3049 - one of the original S/C cars....

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/CSX3049/img_4219.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/CSX3049/img_4219.jpg.html)

I did quite a bit of searching and it doesn't appear that there are any sources for these things, so I did what we all usually do in that case... I made my own. I used some scrap .060 stainless that I had laying around and cut a piece 2" wide then bent it to fit the windshield rake. I finished it off with a nice polishing. Not sure if I'll use the rubber gasket I made, as most of the original cars that I've looked at don't have the gasket. I'll do a bit more research on that before drilling the final two holes that will secure it to the windshield frame.

For those contemplating this, be ready for a difficult bend unless you have a really large brake. I used a friend's industrial shear and brake to accomplish this.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/LowerWindshieldFrametoCowlBracket2_zpse2b6fc4f.jpg

[SCFFR]

Excellent job Chris.
I also have the rod kit from Finish Line and was thinking about this same support bracket you made. Will try to duplicate what you have done.
How will you mount the rod bracket and the support bracket together? Will the rod bracket fit on top of the support bracket?
Thanks
Ron

[Gumball]

Ron - I have the first one I made sitting on the bench, just needs to be polished, drilled and have the frame-side cut or ground down to fit - the hard part of cutting the stainless and bending it are done. You're welcome to it if you want me to drop it in the mail... just PM me.

[Gumball]

I've been dredging up old how-to posts for the past couple of weeks and here is today's. This one generated lots of inquiries back when I first posted it a few years ago. These lower windshield brackets aren't reproduced - at least I wasn't able to find anyone who makes them - so I made my own. I also ended up making a couple more for others.

Not sure if I have any of the stainless steel strip stock left, but it's certainly something that is easy to make at home - and you can buy the material from McMaster.

Unlike the originals, though, I added the rubber gasket underneath it before attaching it to the cowl. Also, to get it to fit with the windshield rod lower bracket, I had to slot the mounting holes where it screws to the windshield. This way, I was able to get the screws in tight for the windshield rod lower bracket while still allowing just a slight amount of "slop" so that I could position the cowl bracket once the windshield was in place.

Like the original cars, I used slotted head screws - in my case, they're machine screws and the nuts are accessible from inside the engine compartment just slightly ahead of the firewall.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140914_134857775_zps72018f90.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140914_134857775_zps72018f90.jpg.html)

[ThickCobra]

Chris,

Nice repost of this windshield support bracket. Its now on my list of things to consider.

Jay