k5 tailgate window refurb questions

[plugugly]

Ive been searching quite a bit, but cant find the answers to my quandry. My son pulled the glass from his tailgate a while back, and we are trying to put everything back together. I already have new felts, new cable, new weather strip for the top, new rubber for the window glass mount.

When removing the old felts, I noticed the channel the window mounts into was cockeyed, and not resting in the channels on either end of the tailgate. All the parts are somewhat rusty, but the window bracket seems "loose" and does not ride squarely in the verticals. Im thinking there is something wrong, and this is likely why the window kept getting bound up.

Can anyone explain or point me to a good video of the proper workings of vertical channel, etc?

 

[plugugly]

pulled my parts out. The main track is bent and rusted, so it will get replaced. The verticals are surface rust, but appear OK??? Although one end on the drivers side does apear to be bent out some, but fixable. The felt is another story however, and needs replacing IF i can find it, as LMC only sells full replacement parts.

 

[ali_c20]

Do you have the power or manual window?

This may helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knf8TJ-PKDQ

There are many videos of power to manual window conversion, which may have useful info for you.

 

[bucket]

Ah, ok. Your main 'track' or 'bracket' is called the window sash. If it's not rusted, you can spend some time getting it straightened out.

 

[plugugly]

the sash needs replacement. the verticals would do great with a turn in the sand blaster, but I cannot find replacement felt for them. ANyone have any ideas on where to source the felt?

Im guessing the sash should fit snugly in the verticals?

 

[bucket]

the sash needs replacement. the verticals would do great with a turn in the sand blaster, but I cannot find replacement felt for them. ANyone have any ideas on where to source the felt?

Im guessing the sash should fit snugly in the verticals?

No, the vertical run channels are just there to guide the glass. That's the reason for the felt.

 

[83Stepper]

the sash needs replacement. the verticals would do great with a turn in the sand blaster, but I cannot find replacement felt for them. ANyone have any ideas on where to source the felt?

Im guessing the sash should fit snugly in the verticals?

Might be cheaper than buying the window glass run channels from LMC, but Precision does make them:

GRP 1130 76 - Glass Run Channel - $61.13 for the pair​

Precision | 1987-1991 Chevrolet Blazer Glass Run R

Precision Manufactures Premium Quality Weatherstrip For The Run Reliner Of Your 1987-1991 Chevrolet Blazer Glass

www.prp.com

LMC has them with the felt already installed here: https://www.lmctruck.com/body-compo...ailgate-and-components_with-removable-hardtop
You'll be after part list #9 correct? About $49 ea, but you've got a brand new run with felt already installed. Completely up to you friend.

 

[plugugly]

GRP 1130 76 - Glass Run Channel - $61.13 for the pair​

[

great find, thank you, but youre right, the cost is almost negligible.

 

[plugugly]

No, the vertical run channels are just there to guide the glass. That's the reason for the felt.

ok, so only the glass runs in those, NOT the ends of the sash itself?

 

[plugugly]

also, Im guessing this "push rod" should not be so bent? It doesnt look like the one pictured on LMC is bent, but its possible its just the picture. This curve would explain why my tailgate is difficult to open.


Also, how important is the safety bar with the spring at the bottom of the latch mechanism. My mount broke, and LMC doesnt seem to sell those

 

[bucket]

ok, so only the glass runs in those, NOT the ends of the sash itself?

I don't recall if the ends of the sash protrude into the run channels or not. Iirc, those are just attachment points for the optional rear defogger wiring.

also, Im guessing this "push rod" should not be so bent? It doesnt look like the one pictured on LMC is bent, but its possible its just the picture. This curve would explain why my tailgate is difficult to open.

If those little tangs were engaging the lever on the mechanism as soon as you started to pull on the handle, then that bend is not the issue.

If they weren't engaging right away, start taking the bend out until they do.

 

[saltdog]

The glass sash does not extend into the glass run channels. The lock rod is supposed to be bent. If it were me, I'd buy new glass run channels since the metal is new and un-rusted, but the GRP 1130 76 reline does work (suburban channel w GRP 1130 76)

 

[plugugly]

took some of the bend out of it, to get it to engage sooner. Has much more movement now. Figured I would have better opening, but the latches on the ends still only "pull" so far, so the improvement was negligible.

 

[plugugly]

is there a trick to getting the key out of the tailgate handle? Ive got the plug out of it, the two little clips on either side, but it will not push out. Does the whole assembly twist out, needing to push the weird washer flat somehow? man, its a pain the butt

 

[bucket]

took some of the bend out of it, to get it to engage sooner. Has much more movement now. Figured I would have better opening, but the latches on the ends still only "pull" so far, so the improvement was negligible.

Have you adjusted the linkage transmission? There's a reverse thread bolt (Yes, reverse thread. Don't break it!) that you you can loosen and get more pull on the rods.