How Difficult To Remove Slider? (Found Potential Donor Lwb Mj)

[1987Comanche]

  As the title says I was trolling a junkyard I don't usually frequent and I came across this '88 or '89 LWB 4X4 Pioneer with only 113K miles and factory skid plates.  I know the rear window is bonded to the cab (like the windshield) and I'm debating going back for the slider.  How difficult is it to pull the rear window?  Any pointers on how to get it out if I go back?

 

 

 

 

[Eagle]

I don't know how difficult it is because I've never dared attempt it.

 

That truck looks almost too nice to be in a scrap yard. You should also grab the rear flares (and backing strips) and the taillights. How's the tailgate?

[87MJTIM]

...and the rear bumper...

[1987Comanche]

 I was really surprised to find it.  With 113K miles you'd think she'd still be on the road...

  The RH tail light is broken, LH I think is ok.  The rear bumper is bent up (always on the lookout for a bumper better than my current one...), & the tailgate looked "mossy" but ok.  The interior & skid plates are what grabbed my attention.  It was a bucket seat truck.  Buckets were gone, center console was ripped out, but all the plastic trim (B pillars, under the window, etc) looked really nice.  The headliner was in good shape except that it had faded to some kind of weird yellow (interior is burgundy).  If it was gray I would have grabbed some of it. 

 I'll have to take a closer look at the rear flares if I go back & see if they'll come off without a fight.  I forgot to check the axle...only a metric tonne would have a D44, right?

[ftpiercecracker1]

I forgot to check the axle...only a metric tonne would have a D44, right?

 

All metric tonne trucks did, but that doesn't mean that all others didn't.

 

And as for the rear slider, it can be extremely difficult. You will need a screwdriver and a pick of some sort to remove the rubber gasket and then a very stiff/strong knife and a long thin section of cable. Pencil lead diameter or smaller. A good pair of gloves it a must as well.

 

Once you have the gasket out, use your knife to bunch a hole through the sealant creating a slit for the cable to be fished through, very difficult. Once the cable is through, use to pieces of wood dowel to form handles on both ends. Or don't and just use your hands, hence the gloves. Use the cable to "saw" through the sealant around the window until it is free.

 

Removing the rear slider is possible, I did it myself using the very technique above, but it is VERY difficult.

 

Good luck.   :thumbsup:

[Eagle]

 The headliner was in good shape except that it had faded to some kind of weird yellow (interior is burgundy).  If it was gray I would have grabbed some of it. 

 I'll have to take a closer look at the rear flares if I go back & see if they'll come off without a fight.  I forgot to check the axle...only a metric tonne would have a D44, right?

 

Grab the headliner anyway. If the backer board is in good shape, it can always be recovered. JoAnne Fabrics stores sell headliner meaterial. So does Pep Boy', but the material at JoAnne Fabrics is better quality.

 

Even if you break off the studs on the flare backer plates, they can be drilled out and new studs installed. The rear flares ONLY fit the MJ, so any time you can get a pair ... get 'em.

[danbyrambler]

Search is a good tool

 

How 64 Cheyenne did it - - - Nice DIY with pics

 

http://comancheclub.com/topic/18397-removal-and-replacement-of-my-slider-back-window/?hl=window

 

:wrench:

[1987Comanche]

I was afraid pulling the slider was a royal PITA and it appears that it is.  It does have a frame (as opposed to a windshield) so there's a decent chance I can get it out without breaking it.  I'll have to think on this one... :hmm:

[Eagle]

Based on another thread currently running -- grab the parking brake peddle assembly, too.

 

Might as well grab the ECU if it's not already gone.

[1987Comanche]

Left work a bit early today and went back for a 2nd look.  I only had about 20 minutes before they closed but I discovered she's an '88, the latch on the slider was broken,  and some of the weather stripping was falling apart.  Given the so-so condition and difficulty of removal it looks like I'll be leaving it behind.  Turns out it's a D35 (was hoping for a 44 but oh well), & the tailgate is bowed.  Didn't try the e-brake due to time constraints & as the windshield was MIA I'd be leery of the ECU.

  I did, however grab the M/T specific TPS.  I know those things are incredibly difficult to find. No time to make an attempt at the fender flares 

[Eagle]

Left work a bit early today and went back for a 2nd look.  I only had about 20 minutes before they closed but I discovered she's an '88, the latch on the slider was broken,  and some of the weather stripping was falling apart.  Given the so-so condition and difficulty of removal it looks like I'll be leaving it behind.  Turns out it's a D35 (was hoping for a 44 but oh well), & the tailgate is bowed.  Didn't try the e-brake due to time constraints & as the windshield was MIA I'd be leery of the ECU.

  I did, however grab the M/T specific TPS.  I know those things are incredibly difficult to find. No time to make an attempt at the fender flares 

 

Them winders don't grow on trees, Mate. That "weather stripping" is nothing but trim, the window is held in and sealed by adhesive. Worst case, after installing the slider and letting the sealant cure, another bead could be applied with a slightly convex profile to simulate a trim gasket. The latch isn't a huge deal, either -- I don't think I've ever seen one that had a latch.

[sinkrun]

Did the tail gate have the METRIC TON badge on it? If yes and you don't want it I would love to have it.

[mvusse]

Left work a bit early today and went back for a 2nd look.  I only had about 20 minutes before they closed but I discovered she's an '88, the latch on the slider was broken,  and some of the weather stripping was falling apart.  Given the so-so condition and difficulty of removal it looks like I'll be leaving it behind.  Turns out it's a D35 (was hoping for a 44 but oh well), & the tailgate is bowed.  Didn't try the e-brake due to time constraints & as the windshield was MIA I'd be leery of the ECU.

  I did, however grab the M/T specific TPS.  I know those things are incredibly difficult to find. No time to make an attempt at the fender flares 

 

With a Dana 35 under the back, this truck would not have been a M/T, unless that axle was swapped in at a later time.

[1987Comanche]

With a Dana 35 under the back, this truck would not have been a M/T, unless that axle was swapped in at a later time.

 

  Perhaps but it looks like it's been in there for a long, long time.

 

 

 

Did the tail gate have the METRIC TON badge on it? If yes and you don't want it I would love to have it.

 

  No Metric Tonne badges.  Just "4.0 Litre" on the back

 

Them winders don't grow on trees

 

True.  I might give them a call and ask the most important question: price.  Right now I have no idea what he'd want for it...

[87MJTIM]

With a Dana 35 under the back, this truck would not have been a M/T, unless that axle was swapped in at a later time.

 

Does have a D44 make it a metric ton?  or was there more to making it a MT?

 

The reason is my '87 has "off road" package with a D44.  I just swapped the rear leafs for the General Spring w/ military wrap.  I still have the old leafs (one leaf is broken).

[mvusse]

All 87 and newer Metric Tonne equipped Comanches had a Dana 44 (86 got an AMC20), however, the Dana 44 also came as part of the towing package and could be optioned separately as a "heavy duty rear axle".

 

So MT means Dana 44 (among other things), but Dana 44 does not necessarily mean MT.

 

And the 44s disappear quickly. I happened to come upon a MT Comanche in a junk yard that has been placed 6 hours earlier. The rear axle was already missing.