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Vent window...?


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I bought a Cherokee Pioneer new in 1988. The operable vent windows were an extra cost option, which I bought. They leaked. The factory had a "fix" -- replace the operable windows (that I had paid extra for) with fixed glass -- but they wouldn't refund the price of the option. I told the factory rep to pound sand. I smeared the gaskets with silicone grease, closed the vents, and they haven't been opened since. That was 30 years ago.

 

Bottom line -- DON'T DO IT.

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This comes up at least once a year. My vent windows have never leaked water or air, even in the car wash. The gaskets are firm; I keep them lubricated so they don't dry out and crack. I had to replace the latch handle about six years ago on the most used drivers side - the only maintenance I've ever done in 15 years. I really like them and would hate the fixed windows.

 

Bottom line  - Find a nice pair and DO IT.

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7 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said:

This comes up at least once a year.

 

Yeah... I posted it and went to sleep, lol.

I Think I did it as a note to myself since I was on the site.

I searched it this morning and saw all the results. haha

Pretty much the same reactions it seems.

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yeah, it's just one of those things that will never have a consensus.  just be cautious and inspect before buying.  check for cracked rubber and wallowed out pivot holes (and don't throw the old windows out, just in case). :L:   

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 7/11/2018 at 3:15 PM, HOrnbrod said:

This comes up at least once a year. My vent windows have never leaked water or air, even in the car wash. The gaskets are firm; I keep them lubricated so they don't dry out and crack. I had to replace the latch handle about six years ago on the most used drivers side - the only maintenance I've ever done in 15 years. I really like them and would hate the fixed windows.

 

Bottom line  - Find a nice pair and DO IT.

 

I love mine too! My first car, a 73 Dodge Dart, had them so I guess I'm partial. However, my MJ driver's side vent is crazy loose. I noticed a nut and spring up under the window inside the door. Tried to tighten it, but nada. Is there a way to tighten these vents?

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I installed mine right before my trip out west and they were an absolute godsend on the freeway in kansas in summer with no AC!  but the drivers side quickly showed it couldn't keep the rain out no matter what I did. :(  I still have the pass side in place and usable.  in fact, it's my trail mirror now.  I stuck a 3" convex mirror to it and fold it out to see what the rear tire is doing.  :D  

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1 hour ago, NC Tom said:

I love mine too! My first car, a 73 Dodge Dart, had them so I guess I'm partial. However, my MJ driver's side vent is crazy loose. I noticed a nut and spring up under the window inside the door. Tried to tighten it, but nada. Is there a way to tighten these vents?

 

Once in awhile new R & L handle assemblies pop up on Ebay, p/n 83504101 (R) and -02 (L). They really tighten things up. Also the pivot hinge pin gets worn over the years. An easy cheap fix is to drill the worn pin out and replace it with a stainless steel pop-rivet and appropriately sized stainless flat washers on each end.

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2 hours ago, DirtyComanche said:

Can you buy new seals for them?

 

I wish I had them on the highway.  But I think I'd rather just go to the new style large one piece window.

 

The seal IS the problem.

 

Actually, it's not the seal, it's the overall design. There's a metal frame channel along the bottom edge of the glass. BUT ... the metal channel doesn't run the full length of the bottom edge. Obviously, where the metal stops there's a step to the plane of the glass, and the rubber seal can't close that step effectively. That's where they weep. That's where I packed mine with silicone grease to seal it up. As long as I don't open the window, it's tight. If I were to use the window regularly, I would probably have to reapply the grease every week or two.

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  • 2 years later...
On 7/11/2018 at 7:58 AM, Eagle said:

I bought a Cherokee Pioneer new in 1988. The operable vent windows were an extra cost option, which I bought. They leaked. The factory had a "fix" -- replace the operable windows (that I had paid extra for) with fixed glass -- but they wouldn't refund the price of the option. I told the factory rep to pound sand. I smeared the gaskets with silicone grease, closed the vents, and they haven't been opened since. That was 30 years ago.

 

Bottom line -- DON'T DO IT.

Absolutely true!!!!!  ^^^^^^

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