Replacing windshields with a one piece
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Replacing windshields with a one piece
Has anyone heard of replacing the ultra expensive windshields in a 270 with a one piece. Maybe one from a Freightliner etc? Mine got vandalized and they were starting to fog anyway.\n-Chris
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Re: Replacing windshields with a one piece
Why?... I chased a Travco owner for a couple of years, losing the trail out west and havent seen/heard anything of him or his unit since.. \nHow could anyone miss that work???..., believe it was a 1972? The guy who was emailing the procedures to a "friend", also sent a few pics etc. \nHe converted the unit to a 2 piece flat glass windshield...I wanted more details as it really looked decent... this was before the mytravco by tony...Short tale...While backed up to my 76 Mahall, my 30 ft blazer basement model (460 Ford) had the windshield crack due to hot spells and in the middle of the storage lot. Cost for the 1990 tinted flat windshield was $135.00 installed and he came to the facility, reusing my gaskets... Foto'd that, finding the caulking brand he used etc. Done by a local glass company...as in cheap!!! Latest price for a Travco (3 weeks ago) was $1200.00 plus installation, dont know if that included new gaskets... one piece windshield to me??? Would only end up in the same cost situation once more...finding a particular Freightliner windscreen and as in a flat glass conversion, would still require slight mods.. different gaskets etc. not gonna happen.. Rather go flat!\nGive anyone ideas? Hope this NFO helps...\nBTW, all of the Travco windows are delaminating and developing fog about the edges... Happens on old cars with flat windshields and newer ones with one piece wraparounds... Ageing process as the glass is "seperating" at the edges... When I was at ups and their glass guys were replacing flat glass, after cutting the windshields (Yes they just cut it to size and it was safety glass) they would run a large propane flame about the edges sealing the glass/laminate. (Stopping the fogging?)\nCurious/wondering... any kind of solvent the windshiield could be dipped or brushed on/in at the edges that would "remelt" the edges and eliminate the fogging? (As in MEK or Toluene or some other "hot" solvent?) Sorry for the rambling but have been in/to a lot of events... FWIW...\nBBB.
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Re: Replacing windshields with a one piece
Never heard of that... not even sure how to go about trying to figure out what might fit. I doubt any production windshield out there would.
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Re: Replacing windshields with a one piece
Could that person have a definite model of Freightliner in mind? An old COE, Conventional, Daycab, Sleeper Cab etc?\nIf one has the dimensions on hand for either the early version or later version of the Travco windshield, the search could proroceed.\nAnyhow, no matter which procedure you decide on, the Travco lower and upper windshield lips as well as the side edges will still have to be remodded with fiberglass. Minimal modefications for the flat glass version... As time is getting to be of the essence... and to keep these heavy duty hiway queens on the road... Problems need to be addressed soon or an alternative solution to these arising problems... or the remaining Travco's will end up getting stripped and junked just because of the outrageous windshield pricing that is now currently exceeding the value of a complete unit...and no more are coming down the production line......\nMore input is needed from anyone with an idea...to save and make these units driveable once more...\nIMHO\nBBB
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Re: Replacing windshields with a one piece
I just bought a gutted '70 270 Dodge Mahal w/413. It has a huge hole in the passenger side front but the driver's side is good. Best part is it came with 2 brand new front glass sections. I just bought new gasket and lock bead. Now I need to find someone in the Indianapolis area to do the install. I will have a spare driver's side if any one needs one. Thinking of selling the 413 (50K miles) with the 727 to do a Cummins swap.
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Re: Replacing windshields with a one piece
Welcome Glass8775 !\n\nThat extra windshield might be worth holding on to. There is no telling when and if they will be discontinued and that one you have is even more rare as it's Early 73 Back. Late 73 forward are different.\nLast I priced one there were about 1200$ a piece with shipping and packing.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit
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Re: Replacing windshields with a one piece
Now my issue is finding someone to install them for me. I'm usually not one to back away from trying to do something myself but this may be where I draw the line. Was able to get the gasket and bead lock from a supplier in Texas and I hear they have the glass also but I didn't price it.
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Re: Replacing windshields with a one piece
Guess it's time... \nHere are the pics of a 2 piece FLAT glass windshield set-up and installed on a Travco. Guessing the unit\nwas/is a 1972 Travco... Quality of Pics is as good as I have. Another pic is of a "greyhound" converted to flat glass. The staining around the windshield on the Travco appears to be from the fiber-glassing. Visually looks pretty good. \nBTW, these pics are from 1999... thats how long I have had these and always was curious as to how-come no one else did it and I never heard a word again about this changeover or anything from anyone else on this Travco... Any clues?... \nWhat ever happened to this coach...especially at the outrageous price today for one-half of a windshield...???\nI have other pics of flat glass installations but this is what grabbed my attention a long time ago... HTH\nBBB
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