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.