Upper windshield frame weather seal

BigDan

TJ Enthusiast
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Joined
Aug 21, 2021
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139
Location
St-Jean Baptiste , Quebec.
2005 LJ

Removed my hardtop to paint it ,
Noticed that the weather seal on top of winshield frame is flattened and lets rain penetrate
Would a foam cell strip do the job or only Jeep original seal will do ?
Thanks
Dan
 
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My guess is that a foam cell strip would likely work in all but the heaviest of down pours. I could be wrong of course, but as long as it fits well I can't see why it wouldn't.
 
2005 LJ

Removed my hardtop to paint it ,
Noticed that the weather seal on top of winshield frame is flattened and lets rain penetrate
Would a foam cell strip do the job or only Jeep original seal will do ?
Thanks
Dan

Hello !

For your 2005 LJ, if the weather seal on top of the windshield frame is flattened and allowing rain to penetrate, it's crucial to get a proper seal to prevent leaks. Foam Cell Strips are often used as temporary or alternative solutions for weather sealing. They can be easier to work with and cut to size. However, they might not provide as secure or long-lasting a seal as the original part. Over time, foam can compress or degrade, potentially leading to future leaks. For a lasting and effective solution, I would recommend using the Jeep original seal or a high-quality replacement like the Crown Automotive seal or Precision seal. These will likely provide a better fit and durability compared to a foam cell strip.

Crown Automotive 55395101AB Header Opening Seal for 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ & Unlimited: https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/header-opening-seal-wrangler-tj

Precision Replacement Parts BWF610097 Header Opening Seal for 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ & Unlimited: https://www.quadratec.com/p/precisi...-opening-seal-wrangler-tj-unlimited-BWF610097

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out !

Thank you,
~Lorraine
 
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Hopping on here as I installed the Crown Automotive seal a month or two ago along with a new Bestop header assembly as it was looking like a macaroni noodle. That seal is not long enough to span the top of the windshield and the adhesive is pretty bad. It looks like its 1/2 too short and wont line up easily causing a gap when the top is installed.

It causes a horrible leak and whistles like a pig going down the highway.

I might try the Precision one since I am unable to locate a MOPAR seal anywhere within a reasonable price/distance.
 
I'm reusing my old one after removing it for paint. Going to try 3m molding adhesive tape. Hope it works okay.

I don't think just a foam strip would stand a chance of working.
 
I'm reusing my old one after removing it for paint. Going to try 3m molding adhesive tape. Hope it works okay.

I don't think just a foam strip would stand a chance of working.

I have some 1"x1" foam tape I used for sealing up my 6.5 adapters, I can run it across the seal and do a test drive to see if it actually does anything for my issue....
Here is to hoping (And not dishing out $250 for a seal)
 
If it helps at all, there appears to be 2 very common versions of the header seal. The good version is like OEM in that the U channel that goes over the pinch weld at the rear of the frame is molded at 90 degrees to the rest of the rubber. The terrible versions are molded flat and they roll them up to ship them. The OEM style have to ship straight or mostly straight in a long skinny box. The other problem with the rolled up version is the U is too tight at the bend of the U. When you tap it on the pinch weld, it spreads the lower end open too far, doesn't look good and then won't stay on very well.

I've ordered and returned 4 of them trying to get another good one that works well. A couple from the same seller who sent the good one, I ordered another one because the first one was nice, got the crap one instead. Back it went.
 
If it helps at all, there appears to be 2 very common versions of the header seal. The good version is like OEM in that the U channel that goes over the pinch weld at the rear of the frame is molded at 90 degrees to the rest of the rubber. The terrible versions are molded flat and they roll them up to ship them. The OEM style have to ship straight or mostly straight in a long skinny box. The other problem with the rolled up version is the U is too tight at the bend of the U. When you tap it on the pinch weld, it spreads the lower end open too far, doesn't look good and then won't stay on very well.

I've ordered and returned 4 of them trying to get another good one that works well. A couple from the same seller who sent the good one, I ordered another one because the first one was nice, got the crap one instead. Back it went.

Similar to your thread about "Dash trim, bezel, knee blocker retainer clips" this is great information.
 
If it helps at all, there appears to be 2 very common versions of the header seal. The good version is like OEM in that the U channel that goes over the pinch weld at the rear of the frame is molded at 90 degrees to the rest of the rubber. The terrible versions are molded flat and they roll them up to ship them. The OEM style have to ship straight or mostly straight in a long skinny box. The other problem with the rolled up version is the U is too tight at the bend of the U. When you tap it on the pinch weld, it spreads the lower end open too far, doesn't look good and then won't stay on very well.

I've ordered and returned 4 of them trying to get another good one that works well. A couple from the same seller who sent the good one, I ordered another one because the first one was nice, got the crap one instead. Back it went.

Do you know of any that are the OEM style, other than the OEM that appears to be around $200?