Hardtop rear glass won't stay shut

conje said:
No brackets either that’s prob the issue
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Yup. It's how I got it. I've never had a soft top. Never had any other Wrangler but this one so I had no caparison. I could see that they were there but honestly still don't see their functionality.
 
ejay said:
Yup. It's how I got it. I've never had a soft top. Never had any other Wrangler but this one so I had no caparison. I could see that they were there but honestly still don't see their functionality.
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The seal for the hard top most likely clicks in - the soft top has a crossbar that clicks in and the back window zips into it. Excited to try and see if this is the fix for me when I get home today.
 
Put the brackets back on this weekend and can confirmed that was the issue. I had aftermarket ones that came with the soft top that didn't quite fit the stock hard top so we bent them open just a bit and it fits perfect.
 
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CodaMan said:
You could also glue a piece of aluminum between the seal and the lift gate to essentially lower the seal a bit. That's actually what I did for the same problem. I got the aluminum and adhesive at Home Depot.
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It's a couple years later since you replied but if you're still around, can you text a picture to me at 425-466-8891? Thanks
 
Was it ever decided whether the hardtop window is supposed to snap into the (original) softtop brackets? As in designed by Jeep that way on purpose?

Could a Jeep be ordered with hardtop only, and if so did it come with those brackets?
 
LONGJP2 said:
Was it ever decided whether the hardtop window is supposed to snap into the (original) softtop brackets? As in designed by Jeep that way on purpose?

Could a Jeep be ordered with hardtop only, and if so did it come with those brackets?
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It doesn’t snap into the brackets but it fits in there snug. I don’t think hardtop-only models came with the brackets.
 
Jamison C said:
It doesn’t snap into the brackets but it fits in there snug. I don’t think hardtop-only models came with the brackets.
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I guess that's my point. If some came without the brackets, then that's not what keeps the window closed. I always remove my brackets and my window stays shut just fine.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
I guess that's my point. If some came without the brackets, then that's not what keeps the window closed. I always remove my non-factory brackets and my window stays shut just fine.
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I agree. It’s an issue with the tailgate bar/tailgate. I still think it has to do with the change in hardtop/tailgates in 2003.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
Was it ever decided whether the hardtop window is supposed to snap into the (original) softtop brackets? As in designed by Jeep that way on purpose?

Could a Jeep be ordered with hardtop only, and if so did it come with those brackets?
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My glass now fits snug into those brackets, it was the root of my problem.
 
Glad I stumbled upon this thread! This forum never ceases to help. Same issue here and will be re-installing the brackets I took off when putting the hard top on. (I'm not convinced the hard top is original/proper year for my '00 since the soft top is not factory either and doesn't use door surrounds.)
 
Just started having this issue on my 05 LJ since putting the hard top back on. Didn't have the issue last winter. I'll try out some of these suggestions. Glad I'm not the only one to suffer.
 
conje said:
My glass now fits snug into those brackets, it was the root of my problem.
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I know the brackets you are talking about but my 2005 does not have the soft top bracket or the screw/bolt holes in the rear door where they would be. Maybe it's just a case of the rubber gasket seal(s) loosing their umf over the last 15 years?!
 
In addition to all above post (some good approaches) to correcting the problem, you might need to take a crescent wrench and barley open the jaws so that they fit snug over the tabs on the left and right side of the bottom where the glass is supposed to stop and the tailgate pushes against. Use the wrench as a small pry bar and push the tabs in or out as needed for the glass to lay flat agains.

I had to do this along with adjusting the glass from the upper hinge screws.
 
conje said:
This makes perfect sense. I bought a 2006 tj 8 months ago (total cream puff 55k miles nothing touched but a lift) and it came only with the hard top. However there were mounts for the soft top and the brackets for the back tailgate were there. I bought a soft top and it came with new brackets - I just switched back to the hard top for the winter and took them off completely and the window issue started. I just didn’t know any better this is my first tj. Will reinstall the brackets tonight and then circle back here to confirm that is the issue. Thanks for the quick reply! I think the tj may not only be the best jeep but the best vehicle I have ever had. Love this thing.
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Just purchased a 2005 TJ and those brackets are missing. Anyone know what they are called so I can buy a set.
conje said:
This makes perfect sense. I bought a 2006 tj 8 months ago (total cream puff 55k miles nothing touched but a lift) and it came only with the hard top. However there were mounts for the soft top and the brackets for the back tailgate were there. I bought a soft top and it came with new brackets - I just switched back to the hard top for the winter and took them off completely and the window issue started. I just didn’t know any better this is my first tj. Will reinstall the brackets tonight and then circle back here to confirm that is the issue. Thanks for the quick reply! I think the tj may not only be the best jeep but the best vehicle I have ever had. Love this thing.
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conje said:
This makes perfect sense. I bought a 2006 tj 8 months ago (total cream puff 55k miles nothing touched but a lift) and it came only with the hard top. However there were mounts for the soft top and the brackets for the back tailgate were there. I bought a soft top and it came with new brackets - I just switched back to the hard top for the winter and took them off completely and the window issue started. I just didn’t know any better this is my first tj. Will reinstall the brackets tonight and then circle back here to confirm that is the issue. Thanks for the quick reply! I think the tj may not only be the best jeep but the best vehicle I have ever had. Love this thing.
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Does anyone know how to order those brackets separately? Mine are also missing.
 
I don't think those brackets were OEM on the 2005 and 2006 TJ. My 2005 is not drilled for them and I bet yours isn't either. I think you'll have to replace the rubber weatherstrip on your rear window. There is a guy on E-bay, cj-jeepsters, that sells them already bonded together or you can get the separately from various on-line places, I.E. Rock Auto, Morris 4X4, Summit Racing, Crown, etc.
 
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My 2004 was a factory hardtop and did not have those brackets or holes for them. I bought some and installed them for my soft top, but it did nothing to help the window popping out. I finally solved it with a seal on the tailgate. This took me years to figure out and is easily the best money I have ever spent on my Jeep. I can slam the door and the window stays put. I tried all of the suggestions on every forum and nothing helped. If your glass pops out over the tailgate, this is the solution.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HLJRR44/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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mrfourpointo said:
My 2004 was a factory hardtop and did not have those brackets or holes for them. I bought some and installed them for my soft top, but it did nothing to help the window popping out. I finally solved it with a seal on the tailgate. This took me years to figure out and is easily the best money I have ever spent on my Jeep. I can slam the door and the window stays put. I tried all of the suggestions on every forum and nothing helped. If your glass pops out over the tailgate, this is the solution.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HLJRR44/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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Thanks for the info. Does water leak into that crevice at the left edge of that new seal you added? Or is the tailgate still open in that last pic? Hard to tell.
 
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