Door window frame / windshield frame gap

[kscarter]

I'm in need of some help to correct the gap between the door window frame and the windshield frame. I have replaced the rockers, door post and kick panel and have them temporarily screwed into place while I make sure the door hangs correctly. All the measurements are within a 1/16" of an inch from the original door post and the gap between the rear quarter panel and door looks good and even all the way up and down. The top of the door is in line with the top of the rear quarter and the gap along the rocker looks good. I was very happy with it until I saw the gap between the door window frame and the windshield frame. I would expect a small gap since all the weatherstipping has been removed but it's about a 1/2" at the bottom and more than an inch at the top. If I raise the door, I don't see how I will be able to keep everything else lined up. The windshield is all the way against the stops an I don’t think bolting it down will make it pull down any more that it is. I can pull on it and even the gap out but it takes quite a bit to get it there. I’m hoping someone else has all ready been there, done that, and has the t-shirt. Any help / advise is greatly appreciated.

 

[deltarat]

Can you pull the windshield back further by hand? If so, when you bolt the top on you may can close the gap some at the top.

 

[SHX669]

I'm not a body guy but usually it's the other way around -- the windsheild frame usually leans too far back toward the cab . The hinges get rusty and loosen up . Is there a shim under the frame keeping it from going rearward ?
There should be a lower windsheild frame seal but nothing else.
Is something in the cowl area misaligned and pointing down ?
SHX

 

[zeeman1]

x2 - check the hinge for the windshield and make sure it's not shimmed.

 

[garberz]

You can't adjust that gap until you bolt the top on, or tie the windshield frame to the roll cage. You'll need to adjust the doors again, after the top is on.

 

[kscarter]

Thanks for the suggestions. After looking it over and not seeing any issues with the windshield hinge, I had come the the conclusion that I would need to bolt the top back on and start over. I hope I can get it back on this weekend and will post some pics again after the second try.

 

[sworddancer]

Personally I think the top will pull it back into place and you won't have a problem (check for shims between the frame stop and the frame though like others have mentioned). I had a problem when I bought mine though that was caused by the window frame being a little bent back. My window didn't roll up quite straight either. I only bring it up cause you don't seem to have any wing window there to know if that could be a possibility. My wing window closed but not great. I had to bend my window frame forward again. Used a long bar clamp from the back top corner of the window frame down to the bottom forward corner of the door and cranked until it stayed.

 

[kscarter]

OK, I got the top on and it helped to even the gap out but it still seems too big. The only way I see to close the gap is to raise the door or move the post forward. The top of the door is already almost touching the top of the door opening in the top so moving up doesn't seem to be an option. Moving the door post forward will work but it will also increase the gap between the door and 1/4 panel. Right now the window frame gap is about 1/2". Can anyone tell me how much gap I should have and also what would be a good gap between the door and the 1/4" panel. I think I might hang the other door before I change out the post so I can verify what kind of gap it has.

 

[jdcone]

You can use a come-a-long to pull the window frame towards the windshield to close that "minor" gap. You have to remember that these things were not perfect when they came from the factory either.

 

[zeeman1]

Thats about what mine has always looked like, rubber will take up most of it.

 

[kscarter]

Maybe I'm being a little too anal and need to move on with it. The gap looks a lot better in my pictures than when I'm looking looking at it in the shop. I think I'm going to go ahead and weld everything up where it is. If the gap is still a little too wide after I get new weatherstripping on, it looks like I can remove the drip rail (or rain gutter - not exactly sure the offical name) from the door and place a 1/4" filler on the door and replace the rail.

 

[crews44]

Any news on how this turned out? I am just welding my body back together and have exact same question and gap....Did the weatherstripping take this up? How was this addressed??????

 

[NGABronco]

There are standard measurements on a lot of the openings, but they can sometimes be adjusted by shimming or washering up at a body mount. the front one will move the windshield angle back but it also closes the top of the door oprning???? Sometime ya' just play with it an take the middle road!!%)%)

 

[crews44]

I have these measurements printed and covered in grease, metal shaving, blood and tears in my bronco now....ha. Everything is good by these but still have a real nice gap by windsheild frame when I have the gap to the rear quarter where i want it. i have a lot of tinkering left to do so I am not gonna get my undies in a bunch till I have mor etime to dicker with it.....

 

[kscarter]

I wish I could tell you how it turned out but mine has turned into a frame off project. On top of that, I'm in the middle of moving and have not touched my Bronco in the past 4 or 5 months. Hopefully I will get settled in my new house by mid Sept. and get back into the flow. As hot as it has been here lately, a new winter project sounds better anyway.