Windshield, 84 CJ7

[Jeepskate]

The one you have isn't beaded at the wiper area at all...that's the bead above the cowl seal that you have. The wiper area beading actually passes through the wiper pivot holes.

[4motion]

You're right. Thats what I wanted to say.

[ChiliPepperTJ]

Hopefully that is made of a thicker gauge steel than mine. Mine has the rib through the wiper holes and was still flexing until I fixed it (until I get another windshield).
Kevin

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by ChiliPepperTJ

Hopefully that is made of a thicker gauge steel than mine. Mine has the rib through the wiper holes and was still flexing until I fixed it (until I get another windshield).
Kevin

What did you do to fix it?

[4motion]

How did you fix it?

[M B G]

I have a 79 CJ5.I bought a windshield frame from QUADRA TEC the glass sat into the frame blocking the defrost vents.I call them, gave them the part # on the box.They said that was correct.I guess what Iam saying is call and ask as many questions as you can think of before you buy.GOOD LUCK

[4motion]

I ordered a Crown frame at 4WD.com and it still had the large flange edge. I thought Crown managed this problem months ago?

[keith460]

Originally Posted by 4motion

I ordered a Crown frame at 4WD.com and it still had the large flange edge. I thought Crown managed this problem months ago?

They did, knowing 4WD, you probably got an old one from their stock. Call them up and make them pay for shipping because you are overseas and they will probably just send you a new one because of shipping cost. Be persistent with them and let them know what is wrong.

Is the Crown frame better then the one you got from Cobra King as far as quality?

[4motion]

Is the Crown frame better then the one you got from Cobra King as far as quality?

As far as I can see ... not at all. The Cobra King looked the same but without the wiper area beading. The Kobra King came in a better and saver packaging. In the inside the Cobra King had these metal sheets on both sides (left and right, where the threads for the hinges are), the Crown hasn't got these sheets in the inside. I feel a little disappointed.

[LEVE]

Have you thought about a fiberglass windshield frame? That's the direction I'll be going when I need to next replace the metal frame.

[wm69]

Originally Posted by LEVE

Have you thought about a fiberglass windshield frame? That's the direction I'll be going when I need to next replace the metal frame.

don't get the fiberglass frame. I got one and the wiper area is going to have to be majorly reinforced. I'm probably going to get another steel one when I get the jeep painted.

[4motion]

I called and talked with Crown, she said that she personally hasn't heard of this problem before.. All of their Windshield frames come from the same manufacture and there is no NEW style and OLD style frame.. I am not sure what you would like to do.. As I have nothing else to sell you..

This is what 4WD answered me today.

[keith460]

She's wrong of course! That is a major mistake by Crown and they know it. The Crown frames are not only missing those two metal stop plates but the base is a 1/4" or 6mm narrower where the bracket goes to hold the windshield to the dash. Your brackets will now hit the dash when bringing the windshield back up from the down position and they will need to be shimmed out a 1/4" or 6mm. The two stop plates that are found on the OEM windshield frames are to deflect the warm defrost air and keep it from going around the windshield frame.

Where did you buy your Cobra King frame from? I might have to check that one out because decent replacement frames with all the correct dimensions and accessories are impossible to find.

[4motion]

She's wrong of course! That is a major mistake by Crown and they know it. The Crown frames are not only missing those two metal stop plates but the base is a 1/4" or 6mm narrower where the bracket goes to hold the windshield to the dash. Your brackets will now hit the dash when bringing the windshield back up from the down position and they will need to be shimmed out a 1/4" or 6mm. The two stop plates that are found on the OEM windshield frames are to deflect the warm defrost air and keep it from going around the windshield frame.

So 4WD is wrong? Didn't they know about the Crown problem? So what can I do? I thought the Crown is the best windshield frame to get. Now you tell me, that the base is narrower. Can you please post pics of the area, which is too narrow and which need to be shimmed out?

And without these stop plates it won't warm so efficiently. I need as much air at the windshield air outlets as possible in winter. The Cobra King had these stop plates, but the holes for the wiper motor really were inexactly, what brought huge problems with the wiper linkage.

[LEVE]

I need as much air at the windshield air outlets as possible in winter.

If you're not adverse to drilling the windshield frame, drill into the uprights (or use a mounting screw hole) and inject some expanding foam. It worked for me.

IMHO, your best bet is to get an underdash AC unit from a Waggy and "T" it into your existing heater hoses. I can keep my CJ warm (as in shirt sleeve warm) down to -40°F. That let me divert all the stock heater's warm air to the windshield... keeping it frost free.

[rixcj5]

Here's what appears to be a real nice used factory frame...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-...item5ad4841469

Rich

[keith460]

I don't have a photo readily available as my place of work does not allow photo websites to post but the area where you bolt the windshield bracket is not as thick as the OEM windshield frame. I just discovered this not to long ago as I always thought it was the Repli-tub cowl section that was wrong. If you take a pair of vernier calipers and measure the base of the windshield frame where the hinges(outside) and bracket(inside) mount to you will get something like 60mm for the OEM frame and 55mm for the Crown frame. That's the thickness of the windshield frame between the two pieces that mount to it (hinges & brackets). So we have a difference of 5mm between the OEM frame and the Crown frame and that means the windshield bracket, the one that holds it to the dash, will need to have a 5mm shim behind the bracket before mounting it up on the Crown frame. A couple of washers behind the two mounting bolts will work or fabricate two shim plates, like I did, to fit behind the brackets. I actually used two old windshield brackets that I cut off the bottom section to use as shims.

As far as defrost deflector plates go, it's not a big deal. Anything HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) that requires air to move through a duct system (the windshield frame), air entering is equal to the air exiting as long as there is an opening.

Modifications I did to my Crown frame are as follows:

1) Cut off extra lip at base so cowl gasket will fit correctly.
2) Coat the entire inside of the frame with Boiled Linseed oil.
3) Drilled four 1/4" access holes, two at the outer top and two at the bottom of the vertical sections, and filled with expanding foam. Kept foam away from wiper system.
4) Used two shims, made from an old pair of windshield brackets, to position the brackets to fit when windshield is up normally.

[keith460]

Originally Posted by rixcj5

Here's what appears to be a real nice used factory frame...

I would never buy a windshield frame that is OEM without seeing it first!

[rixcj5]

Originally Posted by keith460

I would never buy a windshield frame that is OEM without seeing it first!

Good point, but I live near these guys, have bought a few items from them, and haven't been disappointed, yet. Their descriptions are pretty accurate, and as you can see, they sell a ton of jeep parts.

Sounds like you guys that buy brand new aftermarket frames don't fare too well....

Rich

[4motion]

We have sold several of these in the past year and only have had X 3 returns on these due to UPS Damage.. I have talked with Crown again and they would like to see a picture of the Windshield frame that you received so that they can actually see the problem.. Can you please send me the picture??

Here is another answer from 4WD. Very strange.