Upper Door Window Channel 1965 GMC Suburban

[lizziemeister'sV6]

Hello - need help on choosing the correct vendor for upper door window channels - being a "do it once and do it right guy" I'm going to install stainless steel ventshades and figured I should have new window channels on hand since you need to lower the upper portion to get the ventshades clips under them - we all know that we touch one thing a lot of times another thing breaks - so I'm being prepared on replacing the old if required. Do you guys have a good source for window channels that "fit" out of the box? We all have "aftermarket nightmares" - - just trying to get the job done the right way with the least amount of problems. Thank You, Cliff

[Andice]

Cliff:

I was satisfied with my aftermarket upper window channels. It was the lower beltline "whiskers" that were a letdown. Vent window gaskets (the ones that are riveted in place) seem to be another aftermarket nightmare. My upper window channels came from Classic Parts of America and they fit properly and they have been in place for a couple years with no issues.

[lizziemeister'sV6]

Thanks - are the channels connected to the door anyway other than pressed in the door channel? Do I need to remove the door panel to get at any rivets/screws in the rear vertical channel down from the curve? I like to have a plan before I get into a project. The ones in my Suburban are probably the originals - hope I can save them - but being 50 years old they probably won't take the flexing - kinda like me

[Andice]

I do not recall any rivets or screws - the new weatherstrip will just push into place. You will have to remove the door panel and at least one screw that holds the rigid vertical channel so you can slip out the old weatherstrip. Having the door panel out of the way allows access to everything inside.

[lizziemeister'sV6]

Have any of you guys ever installed ventshades on your truck? I purchased a pair of used period originals that was screwed to the outside door edge - don't want to drill holes in my doors so I purchased a NOS set for an off-breed car to get the clips that fit the door channels - was the 1965 period ventshades screwed or clipped to the window opening? Thanks for Your Input

[Texas63GMC]

I'm going thru this in my '63 now. I have the frame around the window glass, whereas yours is likely the bare glass. In mine the lower window channel (part inside the lower door) has a clip at the bottom that holds the weather stripping. The rest of it presses in to the door frame.
My weather stipping is metal covered with fabric. The original had clips to hold it in place. The reproduction does not, but I'm not sure they are needed.

[lizziemeister'sV6]

Thanks to everyone for their help - I will order the channels and have them on hand when I install the Stainless Ventshades - better to have them and not need them than need them and have them - where's spring?

[lizziemeister'sV6]

I left out the NOT about not having them on my last post - been a long winter