Hard top rear glass seal—what am I missing?

[pc1p]

I've tried searching around and haven't found a good answer. Even the FSM is remarkably vague on this. My recently acquired 2006 LJ has a hardtop but my guess was that this was originally a softtop rig. My goal is to eventually get the parts to hook up the rear defrost and wiper, but for now I just need to get the rear tailgate to seal against the window.

You can see in the photo below that there is a gap between the top of the tailgate and bottom of the window seal:

Am I missing some parts here?? Someone on Facebook suggested that there is a seal on the tailgate, but I have yet to find a Mopar P/N for it. Omix-Ada lists a seal, but it looks like the seal that is currently on the window.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

No, you're good. It's not a strong seal to begin with. Make sure you're closing the window before the tailgate.

 

[CodaMan]

There is no tailgate seal, only the one on the bottom of the hardtop hatch that holds it closed.

 

[JMT]

You look good to me.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

There is no tailgate seal, only the one on the bottom of the hardtop hatch that holds it closed.

There is something I had to add to my '97 TJ to hold the rear glass down after buying the Mopar hard top but I forget what it was. I know I had to replace the pair of small brackets on either side of the tail gate opening from the soft top version to the hardtop version that had a higher opening but I forget why.

 

[nk24]

The best way to seal up the gap is with some bulb trim or u-channel trim.

I used bulb trim on my previous TJ:

 

[nk24]

Another angle of the bulb trim (not my photo, but you get the idea):

 

[Jeffreybomb]

Another angle of the bulb trim (not my photo, but you get the idea):

HeyheyheyHEY! Quit using your brain for things! This ain't Mensa!

 

[pc1p]

No, you're good. It's not a strong seal to begin with. Make sure you're closing the window before the tailgate.

Can you even close the window after closing the tailgate???

 

[pc1p]

Another angle of the bulb trim (not my photo, but you get the idea):

View attachment 254843

This is what (in my head) I was thinking that I was missing... Couldn't find anything listed on any Mopar parts diagram or website.

 

[JMT]

Can you even close the window after closing the tailgate???

You can, but when you drive it will flip open. My kids have closed it that way before without me knowing, and before I knew it I was driving around with the window up (I have a spare delete, so the spare didn't stop it)

 

[pc1p]

There is no tailgate seal, only the one on the bottom of the hardtop hatch that holds it closed.

does my seal look damaged or overly compressed? I get 1/2" of movement in the glass... aside from letting in a ton of rain, it rattles like crazy.

 

[Kid Mechanic]

In the first picture it look like the gate is a bit bent at the top. Maybe just the glare on the photo.

Anyway, is the body line from the gate to the body lining up? It looks a little low, again maybe just the photo playing tricks on me.

 

[pc1p]

You can, but when you drive it will flip open. My kids have closed it that way before without me knowing, and before I knew it I was driving around with the window up (I have a spare delete, so the spare didn't stop it)

Interesting... Never thought about it but didn't think that was possible on my YJ. Figured the tailgate was supposed to press against the seal on the window

 

[pc1p]

In the first picture it look like the gate is a bit bent at the top. Maybe just the glare on the photo.

Anyway, is the body line from the gate to the body lining up? It looks a little low, again maybe just the photo playing tricks on me.

Good eye, I'll have to double check this afternoon...

I know when I installed the Exogate, I spent a good bit of time getting the gap even around the bottom and sides of the gate.

 

[Tom Andersen]

The fit on my rear glass and tailgate was poor also. This is what i used, works great.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019RXHYVS/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[nk24]

Interesting... Never thought about it but didn't think that was possible on my YJ. Figured the tailgate was supposed to press against the seal on the window

If the tailgate is misaligned it is possible, but otherwise you should not be able to. You are right, the tailgate should press firmly against the seal on the window. If the tailgate can't be adjusted any more (or if it is in a good place along the bottom), the bulb trim will help keep it from rattling and from allowing water to come in.

 

[LONGJP2]

In your first picture, the tailgate looks low and not completely closed. You may need to adjust the latch striker and/or hinges.
Have you tried adjusting the glass down.
Also, the hardtop (body) seal might be too thick if someone replaced it with weather stripping.

All that stuff inside pushing out against the tailgate probably isn't helping either.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

I may be off but in the first picture it looks like the close end of the top of the tailgate might be bent up, or maybe a few inches in from that is bent down a little. Heck, maybe even a bit of both but I bet the bulb trim would take care of all of that or whatever else is causing the problem. You can ignore this if you're aiming for a concours restoration.

 

[IAmTodd]

In your first picture, the tailgate looks low and not completely closed. You may need to adjust the latch striker and/or hinges.
Have you tried adjusting the glass down.
Also, the hardtop (body) seal might be too thick if someone replaced it with weather stripping.

All that stuff inside pushing out against the tailgate probably isn't helping either.

I had to raise the striker pin after I put on a larger spare. Every time I would shut one of the front doors the glass would pop out like this.