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Topic: New rear window - $2600! (Read 2764 times) previous topic - next topic

New rear window - $2600!

Got a quote from a glass shop about getting a new rear window (includes new rubber molding). $2600!

Anyone find these anywhere else? I know they were on Rockauto when I looked in 2015, but they appear to have also disappeared from there.


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This was my quote from the same company in 2015, but held off to see if they could find one with the defroster grid (not that I cared that much, but Rockauto had ones with the grid). They even sent warehouse photos of the non-defroster window and molding back then.

Your Price: $504.63*
Your Vehicle: 1988 Ford Thunderbird
Type of Work: Replace Back Glass (est. duration 2 hours)
*Includes labor & moulding, before taxes and any applicable fees.

1988 Thunderbird Sport

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #1
Good grief!  That is insane!
Mike

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #2
Yikes!  Tell them you can buy a windshield that comes with a whole car for that!

Funny - the second pic looks like the guy is just holding a perfectly formed gasket.

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #3
Holy!!!!  $2600. 
Yeah, buy a junker first.
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #4
They were holding a separate molding in the above photo from 2015, but had to buy the whole glass + molding to get it. Obviously I regret not getting it years ago (and keeping the molding uninstalled for now). Would be great if someone, sometime, somehow made a reproduction for us with the rubber single piece.

Waiting on 5 other companies to get back to me on price/availability from their suppliers.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #5
Jebus. Is the 87-88.5 rear glass and metal molding the same cost?

Fortunately for me all the glass (well the whole car) has a $0 deductible with the collector car insurance. So if the rear window ever needs replacing the insurance is gonna eat the cost....
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #6
I have reached out to steelerubber.com about the possibility of getting new rubber rear-window molding at some point.

No other companies have gotten back to me about new rear window glass. Seems $2k+ may just be our current option.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #7
From Steele Rubber:

Quote
do you have an original? If so I can ask the parts team if they would be interested in looking at it.

Paul Inman
Product Specialist
Steele Rubber Products
pinman@steelerubber.com


Perhaps someone on here or NATO (I will if I can find one in reasonable condition - there aren't many in yards here now days) can pull a decent rear molding from a 1988 model and send it in for buttstuffysis? I'd be willing to pay the shipping cost to Steele, for a good part that isn't completely hardened or broken.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #8
$2.6K for rear glass. Glad I have good insurance...….
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #9
Another shop managed to find a new Carlite rear glass with molding, $550 installed. Much better, and jumped on that since I have the funds for my restoration project. No defroster grid on the glass, but my current grid is mostly broken anyway from cargo-hauling-abuse, my rotary HVAC controls don't have defrost, and it's not a daily driver anymore - no big loss.

New windshield and rear window being installed this weekend.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #10
Is the front windshield Carlite as well? I'd like to replace the front Windshield on my Thunderbird as it's got some pits and marks that just won't polish out, but it's the factory original Carlite windshield. If it's replaced I want it to be replaced with a Carlite windshield, not an aftermarket one.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #11
Is the front windshield Carlite as well? I'd like to replace the front Windshield on my Thunderbird as it's got some pits and marks that just won't polish out, but it's the factory original Carlite windshield. If it's replaced I want it to be replaced with a Carlite windshield, not an aftermarket one.

Front is not Carlite - they didn't show the oem glass as available.

My windshield has a foot long crack that started from under the cowl trim at the corner - obviously a defective piece of glass or install. It needs to go, whether I want it to or not.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

 

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #12
Is the front windshield Carlite as well? I'd like to replace the front Windshield on my Thunderbird as it's got some pits and marks that just won't polish out

What is the best method to polish light scratches and "age" off a windshield?  Thanks.
Mike

Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #13
I looked on Safelite.com

For '88 - $810 heated (black molding) or chrome molding

For '87 - $329 heated, $810 chrome molding

Aren't '87-'88 the same PN?


Re: New rear window - $2600!

Reply #14
Is the front windshield Carlite as well? I'd like to replace the front Windshield on my Thunderbird as it's got some pits and marks that just won't polish out

What is the best method to polish light scratches and "age" off a windshield?  Thanks.

Well I tried this stuff: https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiar-s-reg-perfect-clarity-glass-kit.html

Didn't get rid of the small pits in the glass. They are really only noticeable in the spring/fall dusk time, when the sun is low and they reflect.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.