Windshield frame woes

[Morgananderson]

I have a 1973 and in pretty good shape. My issue is....

When I put the windshield up (and I have thing shop braces) the windshield seems to lean back too far leaving the incorrect angle for the windows to fit in there. I do see that there is some play in the screws that connect the upper to lower windshield frames together. Is this common? Any great fixes? Thanks in advance.

[SilverThing]

The braces from the Thing shop were to try and compensate for people using the windshield as a handhold while climbing in and out of the vehicle as that will commonly bend the windshield frame and/or convertible top frame.

I can vouch for the latter with the soft top that was on the vehicle when I bought it. My side curtains lined up with the windshield, but there was a huge gap between the top and the windows. The Thing shop also makes reinforcements for the convertible frames. Their new frames are already reinforced.

With regards to where the windshield play might be coming from: I am not sure off-hand. You might take it apart to see if anything obvious stands out like oval holes for the screws.
_________________
"I like how everyone likes talking about Zeke's Thing yet he's the only one that's ever seen it." - Katie
"I've seen pictures..." - Jeremy

[74 Thing]

Post some photos.

How is your rubber bushings on the top of the frame latches located on either side of the dash?

[mondshine]

If I remember this correctly, there is some forward/backward movement possible where the windshield frame is attached to the body. You can see the M8 hex head bolts when the windshield is folded down.

Moving the bottom of the windshield frame forward/backward will alter the angle of the windshield when is latched to the body and to the convertible top.

It will also alter the position of the trunk lid, which can be corrected by loosening the four phillips screws at the hinges.
BUT be careful there, because the hinges are sure to leave a mark on the trunk lid when their position is changed.

Good luck

[Morgananderson]

I'll work on some pics, And thank you for the replies and time spent. I do see some play in the lower windshield frame to this sides of the windshield frame and some odd screws that were used and I'm wondering if these were just replaced and not properly fitting. Can we post videos here?

[Ozmello]

Not trying to hijack a thread, but Silver Thing, I have a similar situation where the windows fit well with the windshield, but there is a gap between the top of the windows and the convertable top. It doesn't appear to be an issue with the windshield frame. I actually folded the windshield forward to see if the top would then close with the windows, no joy. Were you able to correct your fit?

[Morgananderson]

For days I've been trying to post pics onto this platform with no success. When I press the image tab it just types the word image in brackets. Do I first need to upload my pics into a gallery? Sorry for being so new here.

[wbailey2112]

Yes, you must first upload your photos to the photo gallery before you can add them to your post. There is a Help/FAQ section under Gallery. Start there.
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[Morgananderson]

Hopefully my photos uploaded correctly. When I move the top of the windshield back and forth there is some play in there. So just to reiterate if I grab the top of the windshield while it's latched and wiggle it toward the front and toward the back of the car there is some play in there. I can also see why people say if you refresh the rubber grommet on top of the windshield latch that could help increase the angle.

[KAmes]

I feel like it might look bent right above where the hinge bolts to the frame, and I see there's some rust there.

Can you get it to lay right by adding some kind of spacer between the thing shop bracket and the windshield?

[olypopper]

Your windshield frame is rotten just like mine was. Time to call Larry at The Thing shop and get a new improved frame. Best mod I've done to my Thing so far.