Are McLaren winshields the same as Mustang windshields??

jeremymccurdy · Post by **jeremymccurdy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:33 pm

Hey guys, I know the side windos are different shape and size, and I know the windshield is raked at an angle, but is it the same size?? Will a stock replacement windshield for a regualr Mustang (mine is an 88 asc mustang, btw) fit right in?
Thanks!
Jeremy

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:36 pm

I am (almost) positive that they are the same. However I would advise against doing this switcheroo yourself. I would employ the skills of a long in business skilled auto window glass company. You'll need to purchase a new finishing moulding from Hank and have it painted to match the car. I have yet to hear of person #1 who could "save" the original moulding.

jeremymccurdy · Post by **jeremymccurdy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:19 pm

Sandy wrote: You'll need to purchase a new finishing moulding from Hank and have it painted to match the car. I have yet to hear of person #1 who could "save" the original moulding.

Really?!?!
That sounds expensive...

I was definitely going to have an auto glass company do it, I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be a special order piece...

jeremymccurdy · Post by **jeremymccurdy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:55 pm

this is crap. I called the glass company my ins. recommended, and they said it's against their policy to wrk on "specialty" cars...WTF?
I'm on hold w/ the ins. company again right now to see who can do what for me....

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:15 pm

Don't tell the alternative glass company it's a speciality car! Your
insurance has to give you 3 choices by law, and DON'T tell the
insurance company it's a specialty car. The less you tell them
the better off you are. Just because they write car insurance
does not mean they know squt about cars. My experiernce
with mine is that the local dog pound assistant knows more
about cars, than does my insurance company !!

jeremymccurdy · Post by **jeremymccurdy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:11 pm

well, I only told them because if it breaks and they say "we're not gonna cover that because it's a specialty part.", I don't have $400 to drop any day for a new molding, so I want to be prepared.
Also, do you know how the molding attaches?Is it just adhesive, or are there fasteners, too?
thanks!

Post by **negusm** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:16 pm

Mostly adhesive from what I have heard.

-Mike

jeremymccurdy · Post by **jeremymccurdy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:29 pm

mostly?
Mike, have you aso heard of this piece breaking during removal? Given that it's the Mustang, not the Capri?

Post by **negusm** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:47 pm

jeremymccurdy wrote:mostly?
Mike, have you aso heard of this piece breaking during removal? Given that it's the Mustang, not the Capri?

Well, search the threads here. I think there is a 50/50 chance of it busting. I think some people can get it off if they go very very careful.

I would definitely remove it yourself before taking it to a shop.

Well, maybe not since insurance will be paying for it. But I bet a shop will have a 95% chance of breaking it.

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:20 pm

It's held on by the same kind of adhesive that holds the wings on an airplane, okay ?

Seriously, in my 21 years with these cars I know of two people who claim that they got it off in one piece.

jeremymccurdy · Post by **jeremymccurdy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:25 pm

It must just be adhered well on the top, then, as when I first got my car, driving from NYC to NH, I had to drive w/ the window down the whole time to hold the molding down with my hand, as it had basically peeled off the whole A pillar on the drivers side and was flapping up in the wind...
Ultimately, though, i took it to the glass shop, and they just repaired the crack. I'm kinda bummed, though. My windshield is old and pitted, and when I hit direct sunlight, the whole windsheild is refracted light and I can't see anything....
Oh well!

mandra · Post by **mandra** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:59 am

I took one off my parts car. Lots of black sticky gook even after 20 years. It was already cracked in the upper left (DS) corner and I made it a bit worse. Nothing that some resin can't fix up though.

Good luck with it

merk23literturbo · Post by **merk23literturbo** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:20 am

When I walked through the ASC factory in 86 they told me that they cut the A-pillar and pulled it back ~24º or something. So the windshield should be the same. I didn't see anyone pulling out windshields on the assembly line.

As far as insurance, If you go through your insurance company to repair your windshield they have to pay whatever it takes to return it to it's pre-loss condition, sometimes minus depreciation(but not usually on glass). If you want to battle with them you need to memorize your policy, lol. Your policy is the ONLY thing that determines what they are liable for.

They can't now say that the car is a specialty car and refuse to insure that it is returned to it's pre-loss condition. They accepted the underwriting of your specialty vehicle the day they sent you a policy and accepted your first payment. But they are not obligated to fix your car, they are only obligated to write a check for how much value you lost, nothing else. (The insurance company doesn't have to give you three choices, BTW unless that is in your policy.)

If they have a direct repair program then you might be able to get them to get someone to work on your car, maybe not. Any glass company can refuse to do the work if you pull up and ask them to fix your glass. They never signed a contract with you.

A good glass company can fix anything as long as they have the parts. Look for a company that has sent their technicians to training and are certified.

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:25 am

My trim piece was cracked and I made it a little worse, but like the guy said, nothing a body shop (or someone who is experienced) can't fix.

Stupid goo that they use is waaaay sticky. I fought with that thing to get it off in one piece.