My 2005 Tj is getting leaks between the hardtop and the rear glass. It also whistles when the AC fan is on high speed going down the road. I’ve adjusted the glass with no difference. Anybody know the exact name or part number I need to replace? It’s the seal attached to the hardtop that the rear window closes against. I highly doubt Mopar branded ones exist anymore so any recommendations as to name brands to buy or stay away from would be appreciated.
Rear Upper Hardtop Seal
- Thread starter Bootheel Boy
- Start date
Some time ago, I replaced that seal on my 2000 hard top, but continued to experience rain leaks - until I was advised by a body man to use butyl tape (pookie) between the seal and the mounting ridge on the top. All leaks stopped. Maybe that's all you need to do.
A quality seal kit is critical. (my son-in-law installed a hard top without it - huge mistake) This one has worked well for me - from Fairchild Industries: D4012 – Sponge Seal Kit for a Jeep Wrangler - https://fairchildindustries.com/?s=D4012 - Amazon sells it for 32.99.
Zero leaks.
Kit comes with a hole punch - FWIW, IMO, you don't need it. Attach the self-adhesive seal to the hard top, lower it down — once in place, just feel underneath for the hole in the body — use an awl from the top and punch through the rubber seal. When you install the bolts, just push 'em through the hole. Boom.
Since the install, as the top has settled in (in the South Florida heat) I periodically check the bolts and finger tighten them a bit.
Funny thing: I need to crack my driver and passenger windows to compensate for the lack of air circulation. Every time the door closes, you can feel the vacuum. I'm sure if you're running a hard top without the factory vents, it's common.
Zero leaks.
Kit comes with a hole punch - FWIW, IMO, you don't need it. Attach the self-adhesive seal to the hard top, lower it down — once in place, just feel underneath for the hole in the body — use an awl from the top and punch through the rubber seal. When you install the bolts, just push 'em through the hole. Boom.
Since the install, as the top has settled in (in the South Florida heat) I periodically check the bolts and finger tighten them a bit.
Funny thing: I need to crack my driver and passenger windows to compensate for the lack of air circulation. Every time the door closes, you can feel the vacuum. I'm sure if you're running a hard top without the factory vents, it's common.
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I've got an LJ with a similar issue, did everything I could to adjust the glass. Replaced the seal (might be a different part for the LJ top) as well and it all did nothing to stop water from leaking.
This is the seal I used, though it didn't solve the issue mine was pretty dry anyway.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/liftgate-weatherstrip-97-06-jeep-wrangler-tj
Quite possibly the simplest solution.
This is the seal I used, though it didn't solve the issue mine was pretty dry anyway.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/liftgate-weatherstrip-97-06-jeep-wrangler-tj
Quite possibly the simplest solution.
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The part number is 55175041AF
$78.89
https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/parts/mopar-seal-liftgate~55175041af.html
$78.89
https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/parts/mopar-seal-liftgate~55175041af.html
Should hinges be curved like this? After inspecting the seal it looks like the hinges might be bent holding the glass out away from the seal. This is in the fully closed position.
Mine have a slight curve to them, too dark for a photo now.
Thank you. Looks like my seal has gone soft and doesn’t hold enough tension against the glass.
Just a quick update for anyone experiencing rear glass to hardtop sealing issues.
The new seal I purchased didn't solve the leak I was dealing with but I'm not blaming the hardtop or the seal any more, I think the issue might be the glass itself. The glass is a replacement installed by the previous owner, a PPR Industries piece (which is about all you'll find out there), and upon closer inspection the shape of the glass could be better overall and more uniform as well. I used a dollar bill to check the glass to seal tension and was not surprised to find that there really wasn't any. The seal is barely touching the glass most of the way round and at one location on the drivers side, just where the seal starts to run vertically, there was no resistance at all and I could actually see a little daylight.
As a quick solution, I remembered purchasing an assortment of edge trim rubbers about a year ago, one being fairly small. It seems to not only fit over the seal mounting lip on the hardtop but also inside of the rubber seal. I pulled the seal off, applied the edge trim rubber and reinstalled the seal. I checked the seal to glass fit again and it gave some resistance this time. We'll see how this plays the next time it rains or I wash it, but thought I'd put this out there and offer a link to the material. It's 11/32" high x 3/16" wide EPDM rubber edge trim and is available in lengths from 3' up to 100'.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGF4MFL/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The new seal I purchased didn't solve the leak I was dealing with but I'm not blaming the hardtop or the seal any more, I think the issue might be the glass itself. The glass is a replacement installed by the previous owner, a PPR Industries piece (which is about all you'll find out there), and upon closer inspection the shape of the glass could be better overall and more uniform as well. I used a dollar bill to check the glass to seal tension and was not surprised to find that there really wasn't any. The seal is barely touching the glass most of the way round and at one location on the drivers side, just where the seal starts to run vertically, there was no resistance at all and I could actually see a little daylight.
As a quick solution, I remembered purchasing an assortment of edge trim rubbers about a year ago, one being fairly small. It seems to not only fit over the seal mounting lip on the hardtop but also inside of the rubber seal. I pulled the seal off, applied the edge trim rubber and reinstalled the seal. I checked the seal to glass fit again and it gave some resistance this time. We'll see how this plays the next time it rains or I wash it, but thought I'd put this out there and offer a link to the material. It's 11/32" high x 3/16" wide EPDM rubber edge trim and is available in lengths from 3' up to 100'.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGF4MFL/?tag=wranglerorg-20
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