Struggling With Window Seals

Today, we'll replace the window seal on the tailgate. This took way longer than I expected. It's a good thing I don't do this for a living. This took about three hours; a pro would have done it in 20 minutes.
There are two reasons it took so long. First, this is only the third time I've ever done it. Second, I should have bought the tool the manufacturer recommended.
Live and learn. At least it came out looking good and I didn't break the glass.
I considered editing the videos, but thought: "Maybe I should show what things are really like."
The seal came from Trim-Lok and has the same profile as the OEM seal but for less than half the price. Using the Trim-Lok seals, I will be able to do all the fixed glass for around $100.

[@nathanbuck929]

That was very kind of you, the way you mentioned what your wife suggested! I hear that all the time. I think their rationale is that if you pay a professional, it automatically gets easier. To me it is the same degree of difficulty, just some added experience and maybe tools, but doing it yourself is an accomplishment. Congrats, and thanks.

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

I like to do things for myself even if it takes longer. I'll learn something new and if it's not right, I'll fix it. These days, the "pros" take lots of shortcuts and make lots of mistakes. When that happens, I have to bring it back, convince them it's not right and wait for them to do what they should have in the first place. Then I sit there thinking: "If I'd have just done it myself, I wouldn't have had to argue with an idiot and sit here waiting for him to do what he should have done in the first place."

[@jonholmgren3526]

Thanks for the trim lok tool hints. I made a similar one and it worked great for the windows in my new boat.

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Glad it helped

[@johnsmith9161]

Install the rubber on the glass wrap strong thin string in the channel where the rubber mounts on the body ( do two loops) have someone hold the window in place from the outside.Climb inside and pull one end of the string and it will drag the rubber over the steel edge in the door by the time you have pulled the string around twice the rubber is in place.

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Despite several attempts over the years, I've never mastered the string technique. I probably should have just bought the Trim Lok tool.

[@melvicjunelapidez7324]

Watching from Philippines nice neat and clean FJ still rockin

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Love it. My brother lived in the Philippines for about 10 years.

[@RickMarshallMaps]

Thanks for the very informative video

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Thanks for watching

[@jeremyhunt9960]

Thanks! Getting ready to do this job on my bus and info is hard to come by

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

You got this!

[@mattjamie]

Thanks for the video - made me sure I’ll be paying someone else to do this for me!

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Paying someone that know what they're doing is always a good choice. That said, I think you learn the most when things get hard.

[@ethomas6598]

Those are really difficult to put in, I gave up and sent it away to get fitted😅

[@OffTheLens]

I bought these for a 67 Fj40 so hoping the trim line will work

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

It should. There's a bit of an art to installing them. Recommend buying or making an installation tool and using soapy water to make it slippery. Best of luck.

[@joshvjoshv]

I have a '67 and am about to do this project. Did the glass work ok? I ask because a '67 has thinner glass than a '71. Do you have the part numbers you used? Thanks!

[@OffTheLens]

@@joshvjoshv Worked out fine, saved bunch of money that way too, it helps if you have a bud help you out but can be done solo.

[@npc_retired]

Hey, thanks for the tutorial. I'll be doing this on my 1965 f250. I have a question though: shouldn't I use silicone to make sure rubber stays in place?

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

On this type of window seal you shouldn't need silicone. Once the lock is in place, the seal is trapped with nowhere to go. I don't know if your F-250 uses locking window seals like this. I'd double check that.

[@OffTheLens]

very cool, did the kit come with all the weather seals for all the glass?

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

I didn't buy a kit, I bought the seals I needed from three different sources. The window seals are made by Trim-Lok and bought from Amazon. You buy Trim-Lok by the foot and it took about 40 ft. to do all the windows. The door seals were real Toyota parts from toyotapartsdeal.com. The rear door seals were aftermarket and came Cool Cruisers of Texas. In the first FJ40 restoration, we ordered a kit from Cool Cruisers of Texas that had literally every rubber seal anyone would ever need. That was more than 10 years ago. I don't know if CCOT still sells that kit.

[@gardeningc3028]

Needed help getting the glass out. You skipped the only part I needed help with

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Sorry about that. Unless the rubber is still soft (unlikely), you'll need to cut the seal away. To cut the seal, run a utility knife between the glass and the seal, cutting the channel that holds the glass. The glass will come right out, so be ready.

[@pokerman9108]

did you do the corner windows with the same seal material?

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Yes, it's the same

[@pokerman9108]

@@mikerestoresanfj4069 thank you, I'm restoring a 1969 fj40. Your videos are very helpful. thank you for making them.

[@steventurner8428]

Why did you not clean up the paint along the edges before you put the window back

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Good catch. It would have been better to clean up first.

[@archiestorey9423]

hello can you reply with a link to the seak from trim-lok or the same of the seal??

[@archiestorey9423]

and the link to the seal lock

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

The lock is included. On the type I used, the lock is integral.

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

Here you go: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NL48LXA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@joesixpack7551]

...there's never a 'last project' on the FJ40, so you must be getting ready to sell?

[@mikerestoresanfj4069]

There's always more to do. I'm going to return it to Terry, who owns the vehicle. She might be interested in selling it.