When the Fox Body Mustang debuted in the fall of 1978, traditional Mustang enthusiasts were not on board. Old timers said the new Mustangs would never be collectible. We couldn’t have been any more mistaken. The 1979-93 Fox Mustang generation has become quite popular in recent years for the same reasons classic 1965-73 Mustangs are—nostalgia and reliving our youth.
And just like first and second-gen Mustangs, there are tons of restoration parts available for Fox Mustangs. A good example are replacement quarter windows for 1987-93 Mustangs. Molded from vulcanized rubber with embedded window glass, the one-piece factory assembly effectively blended the roof into the rear quarter-panel. But over time, the rubber starts to deteriorate due to exposure to UV rays and the elements. You’ll start to see pitting and fading which can quickly diminish the look of your Fox.
We replaced the faded quarter windows on our Fox Mustang with Scott Drake reproduction quarter windows. They’re easy to replace and you can do a complete install in a matter of hours. Let’s see how it’s done.
When you examine the 1987-93 Mustang’s body structure, it becomes apparent it didn’t change much since the car was introduced in 1979. Ford went to one-piece, full width quarter windows in 1987 to update the car’s look and simplify assembly. The 1979-86 quarter windows are a multi-piece design and install from the inside, which involves removing and reinstalling exterior trim. The later windows install from the outside, which is much easier to do. (Image/Jim Smart)The Scott Drake quarter windows for come in pairs. They are manufactured from new tooling for a precision fit and feature tinted safety glass encapsulated in high-quality polyurethane and urethane. They have been lab-tested to endure extremes of weather conditions. (Image/Jim Smart)The Scott Drake quarter windows arrived from Summit Racing free of damage and ready for installation. All we had to do was wipe down the contact surfaces to remove any residual oils that could affect sealing to the body. (Image/Jim Smart)The quarter windows are secured by studs in the window assembly that accessed from the inside. You will have to pull the rear seat and quarter trim panels, but they’re a pop-in affair and easy to remove. (Image/Jim Smart)Body-to-window contact surfaces must be cleaned with a solvent like brake cleaner for a good contact seal. Even skin oil can adversely affect adhesion. (Image/Jim Smart)Masking tape is applied to protect exposed paint surfaces from potential damage. (Image/Jim Smart)Windshield sealantis applied to all contact surfaces. It is a sealer and a flexible adhesive. Apply a nice thin bead as shown around the perimeter. Do not use silicone (RTV) sealant! (Image/Jim Smart)The quarter window’s studs are carefully inserted through the body holes. Press firmly across the window at the perimeter and check for proper seating. (Image/Jim Smart)The retaining nuts are installed next. Follow a crisscross pattern around the perimeter until the window is fully seated. Snug down the nuts until there is resistance and stop tightening. If you overtighten, you will damage the window. (Image/Jim Smart)Tape the window assembly as shown and do not disturb it for at least 24 hours. (Image/Jim Smart)Reinstall the quarter trim panel and rear seat. The nice thing about late model vehicles is the trim’s “pop together” demeanor which makes it simple to remove and replace. (Image/Jim Smart)
Jim Smart is a veteran automotive journalist, technical editor, and historian with hundreds of how-to and feature articles to his credit. Jim's also an enthusiast, and has owned and restored many classic vehicles, including an impressive mix of vintage Ford Mustangs.
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