Does your softtop TJ have about a half inch gap between the header and the windshield? I’m trying to figure out if mine is warped or this is just normal. I ask because I’ll get some wind whistling through there on days with a very strong head wind. Otherwise it’s fine. Is my header screwed up? Btw that second picture is with the top removed to check for fit when there’s nothing pulling on the header. It does the same thing with or without the tension of the top.
Soft top header gap?
- Thread starter adventureboss
- Start date
Is your header seal the original ?
Have you replaced the seal recently ?
Does your header seal have leaks when it rains ?
You seal looks distorted and very thin....
IF you end up purchasing a new seal; I would recommend OEM over purchasing a knock off.
Member have had problems with aftermarket seals not fitting properly and also leaking...
When I purchased my Jeep 5 years ago I had a constant problem of when it rained; I would end up with water inside the Jeep on the passenger floor and there were occasional wind sounds in strong winds.
My header seal was the original and had shrunk and hardened due to the UV and sun...
I replaced mine with a OEM header seal which had been redesigned; with a larger lip over the windshield frame and the rubber material was thicker and felt different.
This seal fit perfectly and the wind and water leaks are gone.....
Have you replaced the seal recently ?
Does your header seal have leaks when it rains ?
You seal looks distorted and very thin....
IF you end up purchasing a new seal; I would recommend OEM over purchasing a knock off.
Member have had problems with aftermarket seals not fitting properly and also leaking...
When I purchased my Jeep 5 years ago I had a constant problem of when it rained; I would end up with water inside the Jeep on the passenger floor and there were occasional wind sounds in strong winds.
My header seal was the original and had shrunk and hardened due to the UV and sun...
I replaced mine with a OEM header seal which had been redesigned; with a larger lip over the windshield frame and the rubber material was thicker and felt different.
This seal fit perfectly and the wind and water leaks are gone.....
JABCAT
Member
Do you have an original top or an aftermarket top/windshield header? I just installed a Besttop Supertop NX Twill ($1,700) on my son's '03, and the Bestop frame and components are crap. I purchased a used OEM windshield header off ebay ($159) and swapped out the Bestop header. No more gap.
His profile says he is a college professor.Did you work for the federal government before DOGE kicked in?I bought a new top, better/equal than Bestop for under $300 three years ago.
Back in '21 I purchased the Bestop Spice Sailcloth top from 4 WP (last one in California).
The going price at the time was $699 and I purchased the top for $564 with tax.
Replaced the bestop one with one I found on Ebay from an 01 TJ. Definitely fits a lot better. Think it’s quieter too. I still have a little gap in some places so I’ll look into finding a Mopar seal, or if anyone has a link please let me know! I replaced mine a couple years ago with a Fairchild seal but honestly, I don’t think it has ever fit well.
OEM Mopar windshield header seal (55395101AC) available on Ebay sold by a Jeep dealership in Garland, TX.
This one is the newer design seal that I used when I replaced mine 2 years ago and had excellent results.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2672398623...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
$246, wow tough pill to swallow for a seal. Ordered one though, so we’ll see. Fingers crossed this ones better than the Fairchild one I have on currently.
When I purchased the OEM 55395101AC the price $248 which included expedited shipping.
Once you remove the old seal; thoroughly clean across the window frame top to ensure the double stick tape will adhere properly.
After the seal is installed ensure the end tabs are placed properly so there is no wind noise or water leakage.
You will notice quite the difference in quality between the Fairchild and the OEM seal.
The new (AC) rubber compound is denser and thicker than the older (AA) version.
Okay, so I received the OEM seal and installed it today. The mopar/oem seal is built so much better than the Fairchild one. The rubber is thicker, and it just feels much higher quality in general. I don't know why, but even the "new" old header I bought does not sit completely flush with this one, almost like my top is too tight or something and pulling it back. It does definitely fit better though and is even. However, I did use a rubber washer as a shim where the header latch hooks in and was able to get the clamps to close tighter and now it sits pretty much flush with the seal. It doesn't compress that ridge that the header sits on though, is it supposed to?
No one on the interstate this late at night, so I decided to torture test it. There's basically no whistling anymore even at 95-100 mph. I could comfortably listen to music, have a normal conversation with my passenger, etc. (keep in mind I'm bone stock to the tire size and have all seasons and the tub, doors, etc. are fully sound deadened)
It's very nice. I'll have to see how it does next time I'm driving into a very strong headwind. Sure it won't be long with the crazy weather.
No one on the interstate this late at night, so I decided to torture test it. There's basically no whistling anymore even at 95-100 mph. I could comfortably listen to music, have a normal conversation with my passenger, etc. (keep in mind I'm bone stock to the tire size and have all seasons and the tub, doors, etc. are fully sound deadened)
It's very nice. I'll have to see how it does next time I'm driving into a very strong headwind. Sure it won't be long with the crazy weather.
When I installed my new soft top, it was so tight that I had to clamp the front header bar down first. Then I pulled down on the rear corners to hook them in last.
My experience is that after a season of being in the sun here in FL; the header on my '01 seated better onto the header seal.
Suggest you wait until the end of this summer season and reexamine; I would expect you will notice the header will slowly seat better onto the header seal.
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