Here’s a how-to for those of you wondering how to install back glass in your project vehicle. The demo done here was conducted on our 1978 F250 but is applicable to any Ford that uses a gasket to seal and secure the back window. We came up with this idea for Project Redneck through suggestions submitted by the readership. Apparently, adding a sliding back window is a very popular upgrade for these trucks since the same window was used from 1973-1995. Here’s how we did it without screwing anything up!
First off, you can see here how an untinted solid back window can expose you like an ant under a magnifying glass.
We found a tinted sliding rear window on craigslist for $75.00. It was a leftover from a custom truck shop that installed a power slider on a 1995 F150. This stock unit was a throw away. The dude (Dave) who sold it to us happened to be a fellow Ford enthusiast, he showed up in a Mustang and was cool enough to load it for us.
Here’s the new window out of the box and compared to the existing window
You can see here from the label on the box that the back window size was common for many years.
We cut out the old gasket carefully with a sharp blade and extra caution.
With some gloves, the original glass was removed and set aside.
The new glass was test fitted just to be sure it would crossover.
We used enough woven rope to round the perimeter of the glass. The rope was tucked into the gasket’s main sealing groove leaving enough excess for pulling.
The rope was then pushed down to the bottom of the main sealing groove.
Now it was time to set the glass into place.
Once secure, we began pulling one end of the rope out very slowly from inside the truck.
Here’s a close-up showing how the gasket was being pulled over the metal sealing lip.
We continued pulling the rope out all the way around the gasket.
The finished product from the inside.
And a fresh view from the outside looking in. Or, the inside looking out…whatever, it was a great improvement.
You are redneck legends!
Thanks so much for posting this, i have just installed a sliding window into my 79 f250 in Melbourne Australia by using these instructions and they worked a treat.
There is no such thing as renecks here, we call ourselves “bogans” instead and I’m the proudest bogan in Australia because of your help. F trucks rule!
By Aussie Nick. May 30th, 2009 at 12:12 amA very good article! I loved it.
By Replacement Auto Glass. March 27th, 2009 at 9:10 amthis is the only spot on the web that told me how to do this. you rock my redneck (drunk) brother-in-law said it was easy but he is well you know a drunk redneck.
By chris. August 8th, 2008 at 11:53 amThanks again
Yes, it just slipped in from the back. No interior trim to remove on my truck. Good luck with it.
By Mikelonis. July 10th, 2008 at 12:05 pmExcellent tutorial with great pics! Question: did the window just slip through the opening from the back, or did you have to use some elbow grease? Also, no interior trim to remove? I have a ‘92 and will be attempting this project in a day or two, I hope. Already got the window for $35 from a salvage yard. Tinting is a good idea; might do that myself.
By Doug D. July 10th, 2008 at 10:00 amI’m 16 finally so my boyfriend bought me a 75 f-150 custom with a 460 in it. He has a 77 f-150 2wd 460 too. It’s 4wd and brown with yellow stripes. My back glass is messed up. my sliders won’t shut all the way. So this sounds like a great idea.
By Brooke Baker. March 19th, 2008 at 5:42 amhow does the rear window gasket go on the window?!
By jackie cress. February 1st, 2008 at 9:05 amI’ve looked all over the net tring to find out how to replace my back window that I broke last week. Thanks for the great info!!! I was able to get a used rear slider from a junk yard for $35.00. works great and very happy with it. Cocoa Beach, FL
By Dan B.. October 6th, 2007 at 1:45 pmNow that I know the correct way to install a rear glass I want one of those Tinted Sliders for my 84 F-150 SB/SS.
rls302s
By Ron Langdon. July 19th, 2007 at 10:24 pmYou might want to put some baby powder for Lube, outside and inside main seal groove. (California, 1976 F250 High Boy)
By mr nino. June 3rd, 2007 at 2:45 pmNo, didn’t use any glue type product because there was nothing used on the original gasket I removed. The install was pretty easy but judging by the effort required to pull that rope out, the seal has a very tight grip.
By Mikelonis. May 27th, 2007 at 3:54 pmLooks too easy! Did you need to buy a tube of ‘Mirac-u-lum’ to seal the water out, or does the rubber grip tight enough to do the job? On my 77 Ranchero I’ve been fighting water in the interior from the back glass “seal.”
By smellslikeWD40. May 27th, 2007 at 1:31 pmnice work does craiglist have anymore tinted back windows Im out here in california have a 1975 ford f150 v8 360 5.9
By pete. May 25th, 2007 at 9:58 am