83-84 and 85-86 lower windshield panel difference???

Topic: 83-84 and 85-86 lower windshield panel difference??? (Read 850 times) previous topic - next topic

83-84 and 85-86 lower windshield panel difference???

December 26, 2009, 04:48:20 PM

is there something different reguarding the lower metal portion of the windshield on 83-84 as opposed to 85-86 tbirds and cougars?
at first i thought it was just me but every time i see an 83 or 84 tbird/cougar the lower metal portion is rusted and peeling while on 85 and 86 ones they never are, even when the body is rotted and obviously neglected. no matter how decent the condition of the 83-84 ones are that part of the car is always in some need of attention.
i find it very hard to believe that a single year of exposure more could amount to that much more wear on it. :?
ths has been picking at my brain for some time now and since im sitting here bored out of my goard i figure now is the time to ask.

thoughts?

83-84 and 85-86 lower windshield panel difference???

Reply #1 – December 26, 2009, 05:00:46 PM

Are the later ones (not) steel?

Galvanized perhaps?

I put a later panel on my car years ago, mainly to get the dual squirters.

83-84 and 85-86 lower windshield panel difference???

Reply #2 – December 26, 2009, 05:22:23 PM

That's a very astute observation and I tend to agree with you. Just about every 1983-84 panel peels eventually. I've been a victim of that several times over.

The 1987-88 panels seem to be powdercoated or something similar; it's a real thick coating and rarely have I seen them peel or rust. Not sure if the 1985-86 panels were done the same way, but they do seem to resist rust a little better.

Maybe it was poor priming or paint coating combined with poorer-grade steel. That would be my theory.

83-84 and 85-86 lower windshield panel difference???

Reply #3 – December 26, 2009, 06:05:13 PM

dumb question- where exactly are you talking about? behind the windshield where it makes contact with the steel? or out further? i thought i checked everywhere for rust. But i'd like to be certain i didn't overlook this panel.

83-84 and 85-86 lower windshield panel difference???

Reply #4 – December 26, 2009, 06:48:26 PM

didnt notice the thread was moved, sorry if that wasnt the right place to put it as i thought it was too general a question.

87-88 i kinda sum up with the 85-86 as i never see them rust up. maybe your right about powdercoating they dont seem to fade as badly either.
the dual squirters i honestly never noticed that difference :hick:

mattg, its the very bottom of the windshield, where the wipers rest.