Rear window right-way-rebuild (3 times fast...)

[Dutch]

Ahem... I'd like to do this one right for a change. I plan to set aside a day to repair/rebuild the rear window parts on the 87 GW. Although the window does operate it easily gets racked and jammed about 6" from the top. I know the space is tight and can be a pain but its gotta be worth it. Can anyone tell me the most frequent parts to order and any FAQ's. I would really like to have what I need before I dig in. Despitee the miles she's my daily driver. BTW I've got a reasonable dealer (not including prices) so if you have part #'s... lead on!

Nice to be back... ain't work a bite.

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360 Bored and Smoked
Edlebrock Carb, Cam, Covers and Manifold (They have a line item on my pay-stub).
K&N, MSD, Taylor, American Racing,
Goodrich, ConFerr, blah, blah, blah...Way to many stickers (for my wifes taste)

[LostWolf]

My rear window was having the same problem. When I would try to put it up it would hang up about 4-6in from the top. It turned out to be the latch rod that went from the handle to the latch. I was rusted and bent out of shape. Turns out that it was catching on the lip of the window when I would try to put it up. I could see it by just taking the panel off under the carpet.

You might want to check it out.



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LostWolf
87GW "SuperWagon"
http://lostwolf.homestead.com/files/FSJ/sws.jpg
360AMC, 727, NP229(Replaced),
MotoCraft 2150 (Rebuilt), D44s,
Master Craft Courser Tires
No Modifications, Yet!
TybowKites@hotmail.com
www.geocities.com/yosemite/gorge/1372 (http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/gorge/1372)

[Ralph]

Dutch! Un-friggin-believable! I thought you'd fallen off the face of the earth...

Shoulda known that beautiful burgundy Wag would get you out.

Your tailgate symptoms lead me to suspect rusted/broken side channels, and perhaps a rusted/broken glass retainer channel as well. Nothing tough to do there, but it really helps to shop for prices -- as you know, the dealer will ** http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/frown.gif** you without proper lubricant.

I got the side glass channels from SpecialtyJeeparts for $52.50 -- total including shipping. These mount on either side of your tailgate and are what the glass slides in.

The bottom channel is what the glass sits in so that the regulator can push it up and down. These often rust to pieces. The dealer will also try to sell you a 1"x36" strip of tarpaper for about $9 that is used as "packing" to help hold the glass into the bottom channel. It's not what Consumer Reports would list as a "best buy." I used a few strips of the tarpaper just to position the glass, then I filled it with black silicon from a caulk-gun, and it was a perfect job.

Two more things to shop for are the inner and outer weather seals. These are on either side of your tailgate glass, and the little metal clips are likely to be rusty and will break when you remove the weather strips in order to slide the glass out of the tailgate. If you have trouble finding them, give Jeff Kennedy a call.

What the heck, give me a call when you've got your parts. I'll come down there and we'll just have a tailgate party!

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[andy d]

welcome back Dutch. im gonna suggest a heresy that ive been committing on my wag t/gs that greatly eases maintenance. i figure out where the retainer clips are when the window is about 2" from being all the way down. at that point, i drill a 2" hole with a hole saw. i duct tape the cut outs back in place. with the panel on, whats the diff? the inspection holes allow a very easy access to the inside,especially to clip or un clip the channel from the regulator arms. chances are your problem is that one of these clips has rusted away. or it could be the channel itself.tailgate maintenance,its a great way to stay out of trouble for the w/e http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

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'88 gwag,pure stock

[Dutch]

Yes, yes... physically spent and morally bankrupt but I'm still here. I read the Tech section on tailgate FAQ's and replacing parts (talk about your prolific writers!) so I get the idea of what I need to do. Ralph your advice is well taken and I'm pretty sure the side and bottom channels will need to be replaced. For a hundred bucks it's a no brainer. Your offer of help is also well taken (careful what you ask for?) but how about 1 step better? I see a lot of Ohio members (Celina, Upper Arlington, Riverside, Hamilton [where the heck is Narnian anyway]) so give some thought to throwing open the windows and taking a drive to Cincinnati. What say we throw some steaks on the barby and Sam's got Molson on sale 24/7. I don't have a mud pit but I got room for some waggies in the drive and I guarantee some good lies (err... conversation). I might even tell you how the Post Office bought me 4 new tires/rims and a rear quarter panel...? Matter of fact, I'm hungry so sooner the better.

Give it some thought.

Dutch

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360 Bored and Smoked
Edlebrock Carb, Cam, Covers and Manifold (They have a line item on my pay-stub).
K&N, MSD, Taylor, American Racing,
Goodrich, ConFerr, blah, blah, blah...Way to many stickers (for my wifes taste)

[This message has been edited by Dutch (edited June 06, 2001).]

[Ralph]

Awesome! Just say when!

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J ust
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[Dutch]

Saturday June 23rd. I can easily have the parts by then. Can you dig up the E-mails for the other Ohio Jeep parts stock owners. My organization skills are for crap. I will take care of everything here... Man I can smell those peppercorned T-Bones grilling now!

Dutch