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Windshield frame, new or old?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by timgr, Jun 20, 2010.

  1. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    How do you tell an original 3A windshield frame from a repop?

    I came across a 3A in a junkyard this weekend, and it looks like the best part of it its the windshield frame. The body is full of bondo, no front clip or engine, and the front frame is like a big iron tumor - it's been badly patched. But the windshield frame is ok.
     
    timgr, Jun 20, 2010
    #1
  2. Gwillys

    Gwillys 1953 CJ3B

    The metal is usually thinner on the repro ones. Also they have aluminum door fabric slides on both sides. I think an original one would have a footman loop welded in the center at the top to tie down to the grill.
     
    Gwillys, Jun 21, 2010
    #2
  3. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Most 3A repops I have seen do not have the front vent in them... They are just solid across that area with the molding to make it 'look' right.
     
    Warloch, Jun 21, 2010
    #3
  4. garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Yes, the metal is thinner and the original one has a footman loop. The part about the aluminum is not true. I have a repro one that came with my body kit. I reused my original one.

    Mine has the vent...

    Best way to tell is look at the spot welds. The ones on my original 3A ws are nice, neat, perfect little circles. The ones on the repro one are pretty sloppy. I can take a pic of the two side by side for comparison.
     
    garage gnome, Jun 21, 2010
    #4
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Thanks for indulging my curiosity. This one has a vent, but I had no camera with me and my memory is not photographic (dangit).

    It's at Jack's in North Billerica if anyone is interested. I'm guessing it's likely a repop. The rest of the Jeep is quite pathetic.
     
    timgr, Jun 21, 2010
    #5
  6. garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    I just remembered something else. Look at these tabs in the corners of the ws:
    [​IMG]

    If they are like that, then it is an original one. If they are not bent at 90°, then it is a repro. Also, the ones on a repro are not in the corners, the bottoms of them are about even with the top of the channel on the side.
     
    garage gnome, Jun 21, 2010
    #6
  7. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    I think alot of what is there on the repro or not depends on it's age and where it came from. I have one that I know is a repro, and the tab in the top is correct.
     
    Warloch, Jun 21, 2010
    #7
  8. mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    On my repo the tabs are not correct. It has the vent hole but it has the plate boted over it like the M-38.
     
    mortten, Jun 21, 2010
    #8
  9. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    I bought a repo in 1978, probably an Acme.
    The vent opening is there, cutout, and covered with a removable plate.
    The top tabs are correct as well; plus it has the channel across the top of the frame for the soft top to slide thru.
     
    jpflat2a, Jun 21, 2010
    #9
  10. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Sounds to me like you found a good windshield either way so go get it. This repop has this, that one has this.....yada, yada, yada
     
    wheelie, Jun 21, 2010
    #10