My newly purchased 69 convertible needs window adjustmemt/alignment. Windows roll up and down with difficulty. Side windows don't always align properly with smaller rear seat windows and rag top. Rubber and felt are new. Door panel fit is decent. Before I take it to a body shop, I want to know is this a difficult fix or just adjustments needed?
Also, would you recommend installing some kind of X brace to the frame to keep it from sagging or twisting in the future?

Fisher Body manual has a long and detailed adjustment/setup procedure in it for window alignment. If you follow the procedure, and if your car is straight, they can be improved.

The reason they're difficult to go up and down is likely because the 43 year old grease in the tracks, regulators, and guide wheels has changed into a solid/hard wax due to age. So before attempting any adjustment remove ALL the grease from the window mechanisms and re-grease them fresh...they'll probably work like butter.

Convertibles have a factory cross brace that is often missing...6 bolts on a good sized piece of sheetmetal that bridges the driveshaft tunnel under the car. Is yours there and installed tight with 6 bolts? That's the only extra support from the factory. It helps a little, but they're still very flexy even with that in place. And how old are your body mount bushings between subframe and body? If original, they're junk. Replacing them often improves flex, and often leads to a subframe-off restoration after you realize the cage-nuts are spinning and you can't get the bolts out, or the holes to install them in the subframe are rusted out oversized and can't even accept the new bushings. Almost 100% of rust-belt first gens have this problem, and it creates a ton of body flex and impacts body panel alignment and drivability.

The normal solution for convertible body flex on these cars is to replace the body bushings (original, poly, and solid aluminum are available) and then install subframe connectors. What type of bushings/connectors and how to go about the project depends on whether originality is a concern for you or not, and how much $$ you want to spend.

Rust in the chassis is the other huge cause of body flex. What kind of condition is your car in from a structural standpoint?

Nice video. I did pick up several tips there like the order of adjustment.

So first adjust the window gap for the pinky width on both sides were the window felt would go using the adjustment screws at the top.
Then use the bottom adjustment to tilt the window.

Last adjust the window in/out to meet the door.


Hope this works the same for a convertible. I have one window that need some work.

Thanks for posting that.

Watching that makes me think that it's time to pull the regulators out for cleaning and re-greasing. My quarter windows have been a little bucky for as long as I've had the car. I've been looking for a winter FB project.

Great suggestions all of you. Thank you. I think I'll let the pros work on this one. Luckily the car was born in Kansas and has be driven in Texas since 1970. Had to go down there and haul her home. Not a rust bucket; structurally sound. Condition of body mount bushings or existence of cross bracing, will be known when mechanic gets back to me. Thanks.

Welcome to the site. There are a few 68-69 owners here in the Chicago area.