On the topic of hard top vents

[hear]

The 02 I picked up last week has a hard top with the side vents. Well, it has the holes where the vents used to be. Installing new vents shouldn't be a problem, but I'm wondering what goes on behind the vents. Since they're gone, I can peek in and see that they're essentially open to the back corner of the tub. Or they are on this one anyway. Is that how it's supposed to be? I get that the vent has some sort of water seal, but I want to be sure I'm not missing something else to "close up" the bottom of the hard top, if that makes sense.

sorry no pics.

 

[KennethS]

There are the outside plastic (?) grids, and behind that are rubber flaps that are affixed at the top and hang down to block the openings - essentially allow one way air flow (outward). I do not know what ‘s inside of those, but I would guess nothing, just openings into the gap between the inner and outer shells of the top.

But then I am just guessing at what you are asking about the vents.

 

[hear]

Yeah that, but then if you follow that opening behind the vents down to the lower inner edge of the shell. Like, if you’re inside the jeep, can you reach *into* the back corner of the hard top?

 

[KennethS]

Like, if you’re inside the jeep, can you reach *into* the back corner of the hard top?

No, the inner shell is solid. There is an vent on the inside above the lift gate that connects to the side vents through the channel between the inner and outer shells.

 

[DuckNut]

Just glass over them. There are enough air leaks in a heep that proves these overkill.

 

[KennethS]

Just glass over them. There are enough air leaks in a heep that proves these overkill.

I would not bank on that. Years ago I put a later model hardtop without vents on my ‘98 and with the AC or vent turned on there was an extremely loud whistle from the air pushing the lift gate glass open slightly. The whistle was coming from the air escaping at the lower corners. The vents are there for a reason.

 

[hear]

I’m not in possession of the top, which is part of the challenge here. Turns out it’s not really open to the inside like I thought. There is a rectangle where the wiper & defog harness connects.

I have new vents coming & will fiberglass the cracks, that doesn’t seem hard.

I know there is a thick weatherstrip around the sides & upper edge of the glass (or rather the glass smashes into that stripping which is mounted to the top. But is there anything on the lower edge? What goes on the tailgate if anything?

This is what I have right now.

 

[lBasket]

I’m not in possession of the top, which is part of the challenge here. Turns out it’s not really open to the inside like I thought. There is a rectangle where the wiper & defog harness connects.

I have new vents coming & will fiberglass the cracks, that doesn’t seem hard.

I know there is a thick weatherstrip around the sides & upper edge of the glass (or rather the glass smashes into that stripping which is mounted to the top. But is there anything on the lower edge? What goes on the tailgate if anything?

This is what I have right now.


View attachment 605867

Nothing on my tailgate just the flap on the bottom of the glass

 

[hear]

Nothing on my tailgate just the flap on the bottom of the glass

Pics, if you please?

 

[lBasket]

Pics, if you please?

It is less of a "flap" and more of a "tube" than I remembered

 

[KennethS]

That lower seal has a groove where it slips onto the edge of the glass and is glued in place.

 

[hear]

That lower seal has a groove where it slips onto the edge of the glass and is glued in place.

oh... any idea what thats called? I definitely don't have one.

 

[KennethS]

Lower lift gate glass seal and retainer.

I found these. Hugh difference in price, so more investigation is needed.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/...MIt7GG3tS8jAMVcS1ECB2DhSeWEAQYBCABEgIQCfD_BwE


https://www.extremeterrain.com/crow...MIt7GG3tS8jAMVcS1ECB2DhSeWEAQYASABEgLoefD_BwE

 

[hear]

Interesting. Found one on ebay for $70, new.

I need to get my eyes on a "fully outfitted" hardtop so I can see how this goes on, and I guess how it stays on?

 

[hear]

Also, my 97 TJ came with a hardtop (but the hard top is not on-prem at the moment), and my tailgate has a bit of weatherstripping along the top edge. The tailgate you posted didn't have that... variation of the 97 or what?

 

[lBasket]

Also, my 97 TJ came with a hardtop (but the hard top is not on-prem at the moment), and my tailgate has a bit of weatherstripping along the top edge. The tailgate you posted didn't have that... variation of the 97 or what?

Mine is a 97 as well. It's not exactly "pristine" so maybe I'm missing something, but it doesn't leak.

 

[APC]

To eliminate the tailgate / glass rattle and lack of environmental seal between them (dust,rain, etc). Install this seal on the tailgate lip- Vertical Bulb Trim Seal Bulb Diameter 12.7mm x Grip Range 3.5mm | Trunk, Boot, lid, Hood, Hatch Rubber (1 Meter). It's the BEST $7.99 you will spend on Amazon all year. It eliminated the irritating rattle on washboard roads on my ole 97' TJ Hard Top.

 

[KennethS]

Interesting. Found one on ebay for $70, new.

I need to get my eyes on a "fully outfitted" hardtop so I can see how this goes on, and I guess how it stays on?

Mine is loose on one end, so I can see that the plastic has a channel that slips over the edge of the glass. It appears to be attached with some sort of adhesive, but I don’t know if it’s a glue or window trim tape. I suppose a silicone adhesive would work well.

 

[hear]

that stuff had started to split on mine, so I bought some a while back but never even took it out of the bag. Looks like I'm about to have a reason to.

 

[Rickyd]

Also, my 97 TJ came with a hardtop (but the hard top is not on-prem at the moment), and my tailgate has a bit of weatherstripping along the top edge. The tailgate you posted didn't have that... variation of the 97 or what?

The two 97s I've owned or worked on didn't have a weatherstrip on the tailgate top. Just the one on the lower glass edge