I know that restoring these things can drag on forever. At the moment I'm about 80% there. But before I try to replace my cracked windshield, I figured I'd see if anyone has any advice:

First, my windshield seal is the type with the chrome weather strip trim. Before I purchase a new weatherstrip seal, I was wondering if the one's w/o the trim could be made to work? I think I've seen them referred to as the "Cal Look"...

Second, where would be the best place to find a windshield? I've been to about 30 junkyards, with no luck. I've also seen some online for about $300 w/ shipping, but I live in poverty, and was hoping that I might have other options.

-Thanks

Once in blue moon you can score a good bay window windshield at Pull-A-Part ( http://www.pullapart.com ) . . . the last one I got there was $28, they might have gone up since then.  The problem with finding a good used windshield is that there aren't that many buses making it into the junk yards these days, and most of the ones that do show up don't have good glass in them.

The seal is $40 and if you drive to Atlanta and back to Pull-A-Part, you'll probably spend $20 or more on gas and almost $30 more on the windshield . . . then take into account that these windshields are easy to break.  If Grants can install a new one for under $150, you would probably be better off going that route.

If you do install it yourself, I highly recommend the Cal-look seal . . . it's tough enough to install without having to mess with the plastic chrome strip.

Quote from: "King Scuzzo"

...but I live in poverty...

My theory is we are all broke, just at different levels...
If you are having serious money problems, then a bus may not be the best choice of transportation...
Buses do not nickle and dime you to death, they $20 and $50 you to death if you cannot fix it yourself...

On the other hand, if you are creative, don't mind if it's not "right" just as long as it gets the job done and you don't mind getting your hands dirty, a bus can the cheapest transportaion you'll ever find.  

Quote from: "King Scuzzo"

...but I live in poverty...

My theory is we are all broke, just at different levels...
If you are having serious money problems, then a bus may not be the best choice of transportation...
Buses do not nickle and dime you to death, they $20 and $50 you to death if you cannot fix it yourself...

Luckily I can handle $20 and $50 all day long. Unfortunately, I've wanted one of these for about 22 years now, and I'm stubborn, so it looks like I'll just have to accept the fact that I'll be broke for the rest of my life b/c of it ; )

Thanks for the links everyone, I'm slowly getting there. I'm getting new tires and wheels this week, and should be painting it next month. Hopefully, I'll have this beast looking decent by spring.

Zen,
Do you actually have a tent for Homer?
(I like Homer, it was my Gpa's name...)

Any way King, don't let Zen fool ya, that is an old photo, Homer looks even "better" now...

Good luck with the bus, wasn't trying to be a downer, but just wanted to bring up that the bus isn't the cheapest VW to maintain.
KC