Rain-proofing hardtop glass

[alittleoff]

Now that we know you have a roof rack, my earlier comment(s) are moot.
An awning seems to fit the bill. And some kind of raised rib, +- a 1/2" affixed to the rear part of the roof to divert water down the side windows. I'm interested in seeing what you come up with. G/L

 

[Kinardg7]

So you want like a soft gutter fixed to the underside of the top and the glass so the rain runs out the ends? If so i think the water would then pour out the ends causing more problems.

I think a rear awning is your best option given you have a rack plus they are pretty cheap, I have the short rear one on as a side awning and they set up pack down pretty quick, not great in strong wind but I doubt you would be tailgate cooking in strong wind

Yeah, from the sounds of it, an awning would be the easiest thing to put up. Thanks for the ideas guys! Merry Chrysler!

 

[PCO6]

Yeah, from the sounds of it, an awning would be the easiest thing to put up. Thanks for the ideas guys! Merry Chrysler!

I just purchased an awning for the back of my LJ. I haven't used it yet but I plan to anchor it to my roof rack go from there. It's a little light duty but it should be fine.

It's currently unavailable from Amazon. If it's not back in stock soon there are others to chose from ...
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B098QDR67L/?tag=tjforum-20

 

[PCO6]

As designed by Jeep, water will intrude when the rear glass is open/up.
On my 4-Runner, the lift gate is designed to channel the water down the D pillars.
I don't know if the Cherokee's lift gate is designed that way too. Maybe some one will chime in on that.

And I'm not trying to be a **** but, if I had the time to cook something on a fold down tailgate table, I'd make room for an EZ up.

One of the things I enjoy most about my XJ is hanging out under the lift gate (camping, cooking, at car races, etc.). I've never had trouble with rain but you have to be careful when you close it. The area where the licence plate is mounted becomes a pool. If you stand in the middle when you close it it will dump close to a gallon of water on you. I've learned to stand to the side.

I also have a "monster" awning for it. The sides flap down and stays pretty dry under it.

 

[Fishtaco]

I have got this one it cost less than $90au with mounting brackets.

 

[PCO6]

I have got this one it cost less than $90au with mounting brackets.

I have one that's very much like that on the side of my XJ and another one that will be going on my LJ. They are 6.5' x 6'5' and went for about the same price. I used to have a Smittybilt awning that was the exact same construction but the material was a bit better. This material is perfectly fine though and I think they're good value for the money. I've seen them in 5' widths (5'x __'?) and they would be good for the back a vehicle.

 

[Sws]

Mac, I like the way you think man. I do have a roof rack, so the awning may be what I need to just nut up and buy. I do like the idea of a drip rail of sorts.

And for reference everyone, this is the gap im working with

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Loosen the hinge bolt on top of the glass , slide it down a bit . See if that helps.

 

[JP_in_STL]

I wonder if you could get some rubber weather stripping that would stick on the glass below the hinge point that would catch and divert the rain to either side of the glass when its up? Or even a piece of of rope around the glass? Tie a loop in each end and hook a bungie through the loops? You just need something to divert the water running on the glass surface.

 

[Mr. Bills]

ARB #814301 Awning, 1250mm x 2100mm (49" x 83"), $255 on Amazon. Problem solved.