u/SenecaLloyd

Finally got the chrome lock ring in the Street Van, had to move both vehicles as their usual parking spot has been appropriated by Xcel to work on the underground utilities. Nice to have them side by side again.

Finally got new glass in the Street Van. Most miserable experience I've had installing anything. New gasket was not compliant, did not at all like staying on the glass. It's a fabulously shitty design, and you will have to put more pressure on edges and corners than you will feel comfortable with. Here is a step by step guide for those that feel like trying this:

1. Order new gasket. Cringe at realizing that your $500 van is getting a $100 gasket and $100 in glass... and that's used glass, aquired from a friend for cheap.

2. Recruit buddy who owes you a favor. You polished his Chevette, and he says he's done this before. You're feeling optimistic.

3. Try, in vain, to get gasket mounted on glass. It won't want to stay #1, #2 if you misremember advise from old guys, the soapy water will make it impossible.

4. Adhere suction cups, place in opening. Remember clothesline. Take glass off. Gasket falls off. Swear.

5. Try to put clothesline in gasket. Struggle. Knock gasket off glass three times. Curse mopar.

6. Get clothesline in. Place in opening. Feel confident. Feel crushed when the top of the gasket pulls off glass. Swear.

7. Recognize that it must be installed top first. Swear. Take clothesline out. Gasket comes off glass. Contemplate homicide.

8. Remember the retired glass guy who you talked to about how to do this. Remember that he told you NOT to try this yourself, and to just pay a shop. Remember that the shop quoted you $800 for the install alone. Swear.

9. Buddy is just about ready to quit, Remember that you're actually late to work. Buddy curses mopar and every POS they've ever built, especially yours. You find it hard to disagree with him.

10. Try again. Push from bottom, top is getting close to sealed, buddy is pulling clothesline, you're audibly reciting the lord's prayer. Push drivers side from bottom. Passenger side falls. Gasket pulls off glass.

11. Take glass off van, put gasket back in place, superglue edges. Take no prisoners, this thing is going in. LAST CHANCE. Try to lubricate surface with just enough soapy water. Hope you haven't fucked up. Push from bottom. Pray, swear, buddy gets top set. Sweat, push, strain. You know you're gonna be sore tomorrow, you don't care. One side, then the other sets. Start to feel ok. See one side slip, push it back. Bottom sets, buddy screams. You look. It's ALMOST right, gasket is a little Wonky. You don't care. You're late for work.

Got my original plexiglass cb antenna reattached with a new mount!