I don't think it's coming out or in from the inside. I think the glass shops know how to move the vinyl out of the way to do it.

 

thanks for the heads up! i talked to a local glass shop they think the top needs to be totally removed prior and reinstalled after the glass is in. worst situation i could have expected... anyone else done this that can confirm/deny?

 

I guess they don't want to try to work with the vinyl. I would at least try to work around the vinyl first and if it doesn't work it doesn't work. Then it's time for a new vinyl top.

 

I haven't had time to devote the resources to this, but trying to pick it back up now. everyone is telling me the top needs to be redone as well. Looking at some youtube videos I think I can work back the vinyl top or at most make some slight incisions in the top to allow access to the panels that overlay the window. I may have to reseal the top after for now and get the whole top redone next year. I will update in case anyone is interested for future.

 

mostly documenting this for anyone who need it for the future... went to a glass upholstery shop- they quoted me $2700 for the rear windshield install which I was already able to source, plus told me the vinyl top would need to be completely replaced. Obviously, I passed. I am going to try and peel back the top around the trim under the top/above the glass and take it to a regular glass shop who will do it for $200. Hopefully I can salvage the top with some 3M Hi-Tack Glue after. Update to come...

 

$2700 is the "I don't want to do this job" price. I don't think that vinyl has to be peeled back very much. Be careful and peel back as little as possible. I guess I am lucky to know 3 unemployed glass men off the top of my head.

 

Finally getting around to this after pandemic and moving... got 2-3 quotes all around $1500-2000 and thats with me having the replacement glass already in hand. So... went to the scrapyard to see what it looks like underneath the vinyl. The shell is one big piece under the vinyl, unfortunately there is no premanufactured joint or break to allow for easy access to the rear glass. I may get creative on replacing without doing a new top. Since my car isnt pristine, its barely worth more than the cost of the glass/top replacement. If anyone wants more info on the shell underneath the vinyl- its posted here:

 

Genuinely curious to see how you make out.

Btw, video not working..

 

Thank! I fixed the link. Planning to do some work on it this weekend. Will update. Seems like this design was a major part of their cost savings in the downsized years.

 

Ewww that does not look like a fun job. I messed with some vinyl tops on Oldsmobiles but I wasn't sure how that frame work around the Caddy window was installed. The guys on Bitchin Rides would probably make a new frame out of sheet metal or fiberglass but that runs up to the cost very quickly. It looks next to impossible to save the original top. I'd say replacing that rear window is a very big deal. I wonder what the trim looks like on the hard tops. Maybe deleting the vinyl top would be an option.

 

well, got a lot of stuff done on the top as well as my rust spot this weekend. Videos are posted on my channel if you want to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIa8jCsVAsIz1pFHwIpAkzw

In a nutshell I was able to cutout a border of the vinyl top around the window access. Definitely not a traditional move by any stretch of the imagination but for me it was successful. Will be scheduling the mobile glass replacement shortly, refitting the cutout and then refinishing the entire top.

 

Here are some pics of the cutout:

 

That's a lot of hard work. I especially commend you on making such a clean cut around the window! Not an easy feat!

 

Thanks! New glass is in, now the experiment continues... refitting the cut out and making it look passable as it was pre-cut.

 

trim cutout is back in but took some manipulation to fit it flush. New glass doesn’t sit exactly the same as old I guess cause of 40 years of settling caulk. Had to Loctite the trim cutout back in, then smooth over the transition with glazing putty. Now priming before paint.

 

Well it took about 6 months inbetween staining our house, but the top was completed in 10/2021. A few pics of the "after" for the progress. Ended up gluing the cutout back in with Loctite, smoothing over the cracks, gaps and unevenness of the cutout to the original with Bondo, then sanded, primed the entire top and resprayed with SEM Marine Ranger Off-White Spray Paint. I'm pleased with the results- took much longer than I expected but saved me almost $1500. Funny thing is yesterday I came across the 78 Fisher Body Manual which had a section on how to replace the back windshield. It does confirm the top needs to be removed, however they only state: peel back the top, padding and clips to access the glass then once replaced, set the top, padding and clips back in place... I doubt anyone has actually done that, unless it was when almost new.

 

Awesome! Gotta love the long term projects!