Impossible find: drivers side window 1979 Ford Ranchero

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junkyardman970@reddit

Where are you located? I might have one in my yard

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

I am in central Iowa

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junkyardman970@reddit

I will take a look today, but I typically don’t like to ship glass. I’m in Colorado

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

I actually found one in Oklahoma. They also did not like shipping glass, but they allowed me to provide them a shipping label and agree that they weren't liable if it broke, and it's on its way here! I am also in search of (2) spare front signal lights and a back bumper as well, but they weren't as urgent as the window. Been a fun little adventure searching.

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var-undefined@reddit

Username checks out

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BoardBreack@reddit

I have a local places that sources crazy rare stuff but we're up in Canada! Not sure if they ship! But try dominion auto glass in Calgary

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

Thank you! I found a window out in Oklahoma that is shipping to me, but any info on places that may have more parts is definitely helpful.

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MarzipanTop4165@reddit

Welcome to parts unobtanium. Theres a cost to being cool

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

Thank you! I'm quite enjoying the search. The hit of dopamine I received when I finally found one was unmatched!

This is sick.

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Freudianslip1987@reddit

77 to 79 ranchero use the same side windows as Ltd. The windshield is what is hard to replace. As it kicks in in the corners and the only windows to so.

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

I don't believe this is true. I see this pop up a lot, but the general consensus seems to be they're a "near match" but the only way to get an exact match to the Ford Ranchero is from a Ford Ranchero

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Freudianslip1987@reddit

I used one on my 77 squire 500 GT. it was first year and I know the windshield the corners are pushed in so you had to pay extra for it. And the rear window was out of a f 100.

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noblazinjusthazin@reddit

This took me less than 10 seconds to find, dude

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

Yeah it took me less than 20 to find out this isn’t compatible with the 79 DUDE

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noblazinjusthazin@reddit

It says 79, what specifically doesn’t fit about it?

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

It literally says 72-76

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noblazinjusthazin@reddit

Ahhhh I was looking at the top address since I typed 1979, I didn’t scroll long enough.

What year range does a 79 fit? I’ll look for a little while

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

I did the same exact thing. Filtered it the same way and nearly threw it in the cart before I realized it said 72-76. I believe only the 77-79 fit. I’ve seen many places that it shares a window with the 2 door LTD II and Cougar but I still have had no luck and even that I’ve gotten conflicting info on whether they fit or they’re “near fits”

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noblazinjusthazin@reddit

On the Ranchero forum from 13 years ago, I saw this comment from a guy with a 79:

Any seventies Ranchero's door glass is unique to the Ranchero only. T Bird, Cougar, etc glass will NOT fit. The back upper edge is curved, the birds and cougars have square corners back there.

http://www.ranchero.us/forum/index.php?threads/79-ranchero-passenger-door-glass.15028/

If this holds true, I would literally just start calling scrap yards near and far from you to find a donor 79. If parts are this rare maybe have a spare body and random parts ain’t such a bad investment?

Just from 15 minutes of googling, damn dude now I understand your problem

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texan01@reddit

yeah, I've got a 77 'chero as well and compared to my 77 Chevelle sedan, it's a unicorn if you find any cosmetic parts. mechanically it's a 72 Gran Torino wagon, but no one makes repop sheetmetal or really anything for the 77-79 models.

Meanwhile my 77 Chevy which was a unicorn about 25 years ago, is almost a catalog car now.

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

Man it’s wild! Any time you think there’s a lead, it’s a dead end. I also found the same info on interchangeability and feel the safest route is to find a direct donor or have one made.

The more I look into having one made, the more I’m realizing that’s also a difficult route because the glass isn’t just “cut to shape.” One local glass place even told me they wouldn’t do it even if they had the specs.

I got the car for a steal, so I’m not worried about spending a decent amount on the window, I knew it would just be a challenge to find.

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noblazinjusthazin@reddit

Perhaps a cheap alternative route, if you can find some Tbird or Cougar glass for cheap that’s “close enough” maybe try shaping it yourself with some glass bits and a soft angle grinder? I’ve never worked with glass before but anything is possible if you’re gentle and patient. Q

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6-plus26@reddit

Your solution is to call one of the glass suppliers and see if they can get you the file the find someone local to cut the window to fit. As long as the file is available it can be remade

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Fryphax@reddit

I like the cut of your jibe my dude.

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

thanks buddy

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texan01@reddit

77-79 is different on the outside when they reskinned it to match the LTD-II/T-bird/Cougar.

It uses the 72-76 Montego skin.

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Adorable-Kale-6181@reddit

As someone with 5 rancheros and a thunderbird. Good luck finding any kind of aftermarket support. It was cheaper to buy parts cars rather than just a single part.

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

I found one. Cost me $50

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bigshooTer39@reddit

car-part.com Junkyard database

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Tacos_Polackos@reddit

Ranchero, LTD and Cougar all have the same interchange number for front door glass.

Car-part.com is a nationwide (US) junkyard service. They're showing many available.

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Blu_yello_husky@reddit

Might want to fact check that. Im pretty sure the glass is rounded on the rearward side in such a way to fit the contour of the roofline, where as the sedans and coupes of the same platform were not. I know for a fact the glass from the 76-78 LTDII sedan will not work.

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Tacos_Polackos@reddit

Interesting. I've only had an Ltd and t-bird of that era myself, not a ranchero. As i said, the parts interchange number is the same, according to the service I listed.

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texan01@reddit

Just like the Chevy El Camino, the 72-79 Ranchero uses unique to it's body door glass.

You can use Ranchero glass on a coupe but there'll be a big gaping hole in the rear corner, but the door will close, you use coupe glass on a Ranchero, you'll wind up with glass everywhere and a big gaping hole where it was.

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Local_Bobcat_2000@reddit

Cougars had a small side window right behind the main window where Rancheros did not. If you look at side pictures of both you’ll see the shape difference. Cousin had an early 70s black cougar and I thought it was the coolest looking 70s car ever.

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texan01@reddit

Doors yes, glass no.

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Blu_yello_husky@reddit

Car-part.com is your best bet. Thats how ive been able to find a new bumper and trim for my 78 chrysler. Malaise era (73-92) American cars are extremely difficult to find parts for because nobody wants them. Junkyards and swap meets are going to be your only bet. Ranchero will be especially hard because the glass is unique to that body and is not shared with any other models, even on the same platform. Good luck

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

This was a success thank you so much

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

Thanks to everyone who suggested this website. I have a lead on one right now. Waiting to get a call back to verify it’s there.

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texan01@reddit

get on FB and join the Ranchero groups, or look on FB Marketplace for parts cars.

I have a 77 and these things are damn near impossible to find body parts for, that aren't 15 arms and 12 legs.

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workingclassweenie@reddit (OP)

Found one for $50 plus a $60 shipping label. Feeling fortunate.

As for the front signals, fortunately I already have those, they were just removed as the previous owner had one stolen in the past.

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