All-rubber XJ windshield trim

[coolwind57]

I've unsuccessfully searched for the member that apparently used later-model XJ full, one-piece rubber windshield trim on his MJ.  I'd like to do this myself and was hoping to find a post talking about it.  

 

Any of you guys done this?  If so, should I assume that it's pretty straight-forward?

[Smokeyyank]

I had it done on mine when I replaced the windshield a few months ago. Not a lot to it but I'm assuming you're going to have to put new glass in. Not sure about doing it with out that part. 

[rylee144]

I got mine done by a technician. Went through my insurance, cost me $100 plus the gasket.

[coolwind57]

20 minutes ago, Smokeyyank said:

I had it done on mine when I replaced the windshield a few months ago. Not a lot to it but I'm assuming you're going to have to put new glass in. Not sure about doing it with out that part. 

Yea....my glass is fine.  Just wanted to get away from the metal and to a more cleaner look. Especially now that one piece blew off on the highway the other day.  

 

 I may see if I can pull one from a junkyard and retrofit or something.  May have to dice it up a bit.   

 

I appreciate the input.

[mjben]

IIRC when I did mine, the "gasket" is actually more of a "grommet" - meaning the glass fits into the seal, then it all gets glued in. I doubt you'd get one out of the junk yard in usable shape. Pretty sure I paid around $20 for the brand new gasket from Pilkington. Safelite would likely be around the same.

[Pete M]

While 99% of the rubber gasket upgrades seem to go smooth and without hiccup, there are a couple guys out there that had wrinkles show up in the trim after installation.  I've got no idea what transpired to make that happen though.  

[AZJeff]

The later XJ-style rubber trim actually has a groove in it that slips over the perimeter of the glass before the glass is bonded to the windshield opening in the body.  Often, the adhesive holding the windshield in also bonds the rubber trim to the glass, making salvage of existing rubber trim problematic/

 

Owing to this, the only way to really install this trim is to get a new piece, and then do it at the time of glass installation.   Installing glued-in glass isn't too tough, provided you have the right urethane adhesive.  

 

It's the removal of the existing glass is where your challenge will be.

 

Getting the glass out WITHOUT CRACKING IT is bit tricky, since the cured urethane that attaches the glass must be cut around the entire perimeter, and the the glass must be lifted out.  Once the glass is out, the urethane residue on the glass must be completely removed (or nearly so), so that the new urethane bead applied in the body opening as a clean, flat surface upon which to bond.

 

If you are not familiar with removing bonded in glass, I would defer this to a auto glass company.   You will be much happier with the result, and won't risk breaking your glass taking it out and reinstalling it.

[hedbutter]

I had mine replaced by a glass repair place..I was having a small leak and when he pulled the old one out it cracked. The tech recommended replacing with the newer groment and I think it added 20 to my total.. the truck was bone dry after that so we'll worth it.

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[coolwind57]

On 10/30/2019 at 12:19 PM, Pete M said:

While 99% of the rubber gasket upgrades seem to go smooth and without hiccup, there are a couple guys out there that had wrinkles show up in the trim after installation.  I've got no idea what transpired to make that happen though.  

You're talking about windshield replacement along with the upgraded rubber trim, right?  

 

I sure was  hoping to just replace my metal trim with rubber without messing with the windshield.

[JMO413]

1 hour ago, coolwind57 said:

You're talking about windshield replacement along with the upgraded rubber trim, right?  

 

I sure was  hoping to just replace my metal trim with rubber without messing with the windshield.

The seal goes on the windshield before you install it. Your going to have to pull the windshield. I believe the later windshield is also slightly bigger. I know it's a different part number than the original. I am very pleased with mine. It's just cleaner.

[Eagle]

2 hours ago, coolwind57 said:

I sure was  hoping to just replace my metal trim with rubber without messing with the windshield.

 

It doesn't work that way.

[Warren Mohler]

On ‎10‎/‎29‎/‎2019 at 9:28 AM, coolwind57 said:

I've unsuccessfully searched for the member that apparently used later-model XJ full, one-piece rubber windshield trim on his MJ.  I'd like to do this myself and was hoping to find a post talking about it.  

 

Any of you guys done this?  If so, should I assume that it's pretty straight-forward?

A lot of people have done this with good results the way it sounds, I thought about it myself. after looking at many XJ's that were done at the factory after a few years old gaps as large as 1/4 inch between  rubber and "A" pillar happened, saw this a lot at the dealership and it just did not look good. With a little patience I was able to smooth out my stainless and repaint. Looks great

[olddude]

1 hour ago, Eagle said:

 

It doesn't work that way.

Sure it does --- 89 MJ with 99 XJ windshield w/wrap around rubber seal. 

[Eagle]

56 minutes ago, olddude said:

Sure it does --- 89 MJ with 99 XJ windshield w/wrap around rubber seal. 

 

I didn't say you can't use the rubber trim on an MJ. But you can't just remove the stainless steel trim and install the rubber without taking the window out of the vehicle. As others have already explained, the rubber goes onto the glass first, like a perimeter gasket, then the entire assembly is glued into the vehicle.

[AZJeff]

6 hours ago, Eagle said:

As others have already explained, the rubber goes onto the glass first, like a perimeter gasket, then the entire assembly is glued into the vehicle.

I explained this in detail earlier, but Eagle was more concise in his explanation.

 

To repeat:  changing to the rubber trim found late style XJ’s CAN be done, but it requires a NEW WINDSHIELD be installed.

[fiatslug87]

Do the little "nubs" that hold the clips for the metal trim  interfere with the rubber trim?

[JMO413]

2 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

Do the little "nubs" that hold the clips for the metal trim  interfere with the rubber trim?

Mine are all still there. Didn't interfere with the rubber gasket/trim at all.

[RustyRodder]

Likewise, my 88 windshield came out, 98 windshield/trim went in. 

[AZJeff]

19 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

Do the little "nubs" that hold the clips for the metal trim  interfere with the rubber trim?

The welded nubs don't interfere, but the metal or plastic clips that slide over the nubs to attach the old bright metal trim must be removed.  (You want to do that anyhow, since they promote rusting around the nubs.)