Windshield

[TheNerfsmith]

Hi guys,

 

What’s the best method for getting a new windshield and what at all would be beneficial or different for putting a 97+ one into my 89 MJ.

[coheed]

I called a few different shops last year and most of the chains didn't want to touch the truck because of the age. I eventually found a local shop and asked them to order one for a 2000 XJ and get a new rubber gasket to replace the plastic tabs and chrome trim. They installed it with no issues and even treated some rust in the window frame.

 

The windshields are the same for all years, only the trim is different. The rubber trim you don't have to worry about flying off down the road or finding new plastic clips when they break.

[TheNerfsmith]

13 minutes ago, coheed said:

I called a few different shops last year and most of the chains didn't want to touch the truck because of the age. I eventually found a local shop and asked them to order one for a 2000 XJ and get a new rubber gasket to replace the plastic tabs and chrome trim. They installed it with no issues and even treated some rust in the window frame.

 

The windshields are the same for all years, only the trim is different. The rubber trim you don't have to worry about flying off down the road or finding new plastic clips when they break.

I‘ve heard that a Comanche rearview mirror won’t go to a newer windshield. That’s not something I’m really knowledgeable about and want to know if that’s true. 

[coheed]

Just now, TheNerfsmith said:

I‘ve heard that a Comanche rearview mirror won’t go to a newer windshield. That’s not something I’m really knowledgeable about and want to know if that’s true. 

I don't know why it wouldn't. Unless it's been replaced with something real odd it should just be the normal style that has an anchor glued to the glass. 

[JZLAJeep]

31 minutes ago, TheNerfsmith said:

What’s the best method for getting a new windshield and what at all would be beneficial or different for putting a 97+ one into my 89 MJ.

We had our MJ windshield replaced at Safelite. I asked them to use the 97+ rubber gasket and they were happy to install that instead of messing with the aluminum trim. I highly recommend this upgrade. Cost was ~$180 a couple years back, probably more now.

 

As far as mirror, the MJ mirror fit. Even if yours doesn't it's pretty easy to get a replacement from a junkyard or Amazon.

[pizzaman09]

I used Safelite, they did it in my work parking lot.  No issues at all, they used the older style.

 

That said they scratched the daylights out of my cowel, they were not careful and I wasn't actually happy.   

[AZJeff]

I cannot understand why a glass shop would not do work on an MJ "due to its age".  The glass is attached to the body with the same urethane adhesive an almost all other vehicles.  The only variation from newer vehicles is the use of the chrome trim around the glass/body joint, and that is merely held on by clips attached to welded studs on the body.

 

As others mentioned, converting to the new style glass trim (97+ XJ type) eliminates the chrome trim pieces, and makes glass installation that much easier.

 

[Eagle_SX4]

5 hours ago, AZJeff said:

I cannot understand why a glass shop would not do work on an MJ "due to its age".  The glass is attached to the body with the same urethane adhesive an almost all other vehicles.

Probably due to unknown rust issues that may be found upon removal of the windshield. Most glass shops won't have the resources or capabilities to repair rust. 

[AZJeff]

3 hours ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Probably due to unknown rust issues that may be found upon removal of the windshield. Most glass shops won't have the resources or capabilities to repair rust. 

That is a good point.  Due to me being in AZ, and having a Comanche that lived it's life in a relatively benign environment, I have never had those worries.

[TheNerfsmith]

Update: Safelite would not install a newer 97+ Cherokee glass into my 89 MJ. They said it’s the wrong year and don’t want to do anything about it. 

[TheNerfsmith]

Just now, TheNerfsmith said:

Update: Safelite would not install a newer 97+ Cherokee glass into my 89 MJ. They said it’s the wrong year and don’t want to do anything about it. 

Despite already breaking the first one they had got in and then going to the appointment and holding up their hands.

[89 MJ]

A good body shop should either have the capability to install the glass or will be able to give you the name of a good glass shop. We've always Glass On Wheels in La Crosse, but you should have something closer.

[Pete M]

pretty sure I used safelite with breanne's truck.  either way it was an in-driveway experience.  I told them it was a 97 XJ.  I never uttered the word Comanche.  no one seemed to care. 

 

that said, after removal there was rust I had to deal with but the guy happily came back a couple days later.   

[ratrapp]

ive learned most of the time its best to get a locally owned glass company instead of safelite.we had a customer ask if he could get safelite to replace his windsheld while i was putting an engine in his truck.i told him not a problem but i had nothing to do with it.they broke one of his wiper arms and scratched the crap out of his a pillars.for some reason he thought i was responsible since safelite washed there hands of it since it was done on my lot.i told him to have a nice day and not come back.

[fiatslug87]

As ratrapp said use a local guy. I luckily have a neighbor that’s an owner/operator, saw his truck as we were walking the dogs. I had him remove my rear slider and clean up all the urethane.

[AZJeff]

3 hours ago, TheNerfsmith said:

Update: Safelite would not install a newer 97+ Cherokee glass into my 89 MJ. They said it’s the wrong year and don’t want to do anything about it. 

Safelite is a bunch of idiots, obviously.
 

The only real difference in the windshield between the 97+ XJ and the older MJ/XJ is that the later style has a rubber gasket that slips over the end of the glass and surrounds its perimeter, whereas the older style had separate metal trim pieces that covered the gap between the edge of the glass and the body.

 

The actual method of attachment of the windshield to the opening in the body of the vehicle is identical in both variants and employs the usual urethane adhesive.

 

In actual terms of installation, that the rubber gasket, even when present in an original installation, often is permanently bonded to the old glass with excess adhesive, and cannot be reused.  That means having a replacement rubber gasket is always prudent if you are the glass installer.