How does this trim go on? (1 Viewer)

[mingles]

Shine a flashlight up into the fender well from the inside while someone puts a hose on it from the outside. This way you can see exactly where the water is entering.

The other common leak source in that area are the clips (and corresponding holes) that hold the belt molding strip that runs along the bottom of the slider window. There are foam gaskets around those clips that dry out and let water in. New belt moldings solved that leak for me.

 

[StaticTorque]

Bummer. You’re just hitting the louvre with water?

Mostly that whole quarter panel on one side.

 

[StaticTorque]

Shine a flashlight up into the fender well from the inside while someone puts a hose on it from the outside. This way you can see exactly where the water is entering.

The other common leak source in that area are the clips (and corresponding holes) that hold the belt molding strip that runs along the bottom of the slider window. There are foam gaskets around those clips that dry out and let water in. New belt moldings solved that leak for me.

The new vents I got did come with new seals around the clips. I can see it’s coming from the D pillar, but I can’t really see too far up there. Even with putting my fat head as far in as I can lol.

 

[StaticTorque]

This is where I just found another leak. On both windows it’s leaking from the Red Circled area in the photo down below.

 

[leucadiacruiser]

I'm wondering if rear window seal isn't in your future. I haven't had to do that one yet.

 

[cahill]

If I'm looking at your photo correctly, it is exactly like mine and I followed my factory side (that is, I'm assuming it hadn't been replaced before I bought it 18 years ago At the bottom corner, it switches from the window rubber being on top to the louvre rubber being on top.

I agree that at the top and bottom corners it switches from teh window rubber being on top to the louvre rubber being on top however if I am seeing things correctly it looks like the window rubber in the photo is under the louvre in the middle section and needs to be lifted up on top.

Doubt that this is the source of the leak though from the newer photos and agree that it likely needs a new gasket. I would probably replace the runs at the same time while the window is out or at least clean the runs really well as they tend to collect a lot of dirt/debri over the years and make opening the rear quarter windows difficult.

 

[StaticTorque]

I'm wondering if rear window seal isn't in your future. I haven't had to do that one yet.

I do believe that might be in the near future for me. I just bought the rig about 2 months ago. When I asked the owner "What would you do to it if you kept it for 2 more years?" His response was "Replace all the window seals." Living in the PNW this is a priority for me to fix. I know for a fact that it is coming from the D pillar, when I look up, i can see it running down the pillar, but cant see exactly where from.

 

[StaticTorque]

I agree that at the top and bottom corners it switches from teh window rubber being on top to the louvre rubber being on top however if I am seeing things correctly it looks like the window rubber in the photo is under the louvre in the middle section and needs to be lifted up on top.

Doubt that this is the source of the leak though from the newer photos and agree that it likely needs a new gasket. I would probably replace the runs at the same time while the window is out or at least clean the runs really well as they tend to collect a lot of dirt/debri over the years and make opening the rear quarter windows difficult.

Correct. I ended up going to Harbor Freight and picking up some plastic pry tools to get that rubber seal over it. I believe i succeeded at that. The new vent trim pieces came with a new seal around the perimeter, plus new seals around both clips, and the bolt connect to the vent piece.

 

[polloelastico]

I just replaced all my rear quarter window rubber including louvres, so I'm pretty familiar with how it all works at this point. For your leak, it could be the air duct under the louvre, you can pull it out a bit (with the louvre off) and put some 3m strip caulk around the edge. Of course, you will break that middle louvre clip (even brand new ones are crazy brittle) and mangle the rubber gasket if you remove it again, but that louvre is just for show in my opinion and doesn't keep any water out.

 

[StaticTorque]

I just replaced all my rear quarter window rubber including louvres, so I'm pretty familiar with how it all works at this point. For your leak, it could be the air duct under the louvre, you can pull it out a bit (with the louvre off) and put some 3m strip caulk around the edge. Of course, you will break that middle louvre clip (even brand new ones are crazy brittle) and mangle the rubber gasket if you remove it again, but that louvre is just for show in my opinion and doesn't keep any water out.

ah! so the leak would be coming from that air duct, and not that louver?

 

[polloelastico]

That's my guess. I mean, outside of where the louvre clips and bolt go in, there isn't any place for the water to get in around there except that vent. The foam around the edge of that is probably all dry and rotten and letting water in. You can use silicone, but I like the 3M strip caulk, you can just roll a thin bead and call it a day.

 

[StaticTorque]

That's my guess. I mean, outside of where the louvre clips and bolt go in, there isn't any place for the water to get in around there except that vent. The foam around the edge of that is probably all dry and rotten and letting water in. You can use silicone, but I like the 3M strip caulk, you can just roll a thin bead and call it a day.

as ive said before, i had duct tape covering the louvers for a week and never had a leak. The new louvers i bought came with all new seals, clips, around the louvers, everything.

 

[polloelastico]

That's my guess. I mean, outside of where the louvre clips and bolt go in, there isn't any place for the water to get in around there except that vent. The foam around the edge of that is probably all dry and rotten and letting water in. You can use silicone, but I like the 3M strip caulk, you can just roll a thin bead and call it a day.

The louver edge seals are just decoration and are not water tight from what I can tell.

 

[StaticTorque]

That's my guess. I mean, outside of where the louvre clips and bolt go in, there isn't any place for the water to get in around there except that vent. The foam around the edge of that is probably all dry and rotten and letting water in. You can use silicone, but I like the 3M strip caulk, you can just roll a thin bead and call it a day.

The louver edge seals are just decoration and are not water tight from what I can tell.

youve honestly given me a great idea. i didnt think about it could be the air duct. i was thinking in my head that the louvers need to stop water from coming in, but what would if it does? I will check that tomorrow

 

[StaticTorque]

youve honestly given me a great idea. i didnt think about it could be the air duct. i was thinking in my head that the louvers need to stop water from coming in, but what would if it does? I will check that tomorrow

in your opinion whats the nicest/easiest way to take that louver off? What 3m caulk do you use? 3m marine adhesive/sealant?

 

[polloelastico]

I like this, it's good for redoing the door seals too if you need to pull it back to access the internals: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Strip-Calk/?N=5002385+3293194020&rt=rud

How to get the louver off without breaking the clips? Not convinced it's possible, it's so brittle. But IIRC, after the bottom nut is removed from the long bolt, you should pry the top clip off next, and then rather than try and pop the middle one out, slide it up to release the clip from the bracket, then pop the clip out later from the body. That said, you should accept the fact they will likely break and be prepared to pony up another 50 bucks at partsoup for new ones if that bugs you.

 

[StaticTorque]

I like this, it's good for redoing the door seals too if you need to pull it back to access the internals: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Strip-Calk/?N=5002385+3293194020&rt=rud

How to get the louver off without breaking the clips? Not convinced it's possible, it's so brittle. But IIRC, after the bottom nut is removed from the long bolt, you should pry the top clip off next, and then rather than try and pop the middle one out, slide it up to release the clip from the bracket, then pop the clip out later from the body. That said, you should accept the fact they will likely break and be prepared to pony up another 50 bucks at partsoup for new ones if that bugs you.

Okay thank you for your input. The ones i just bought from amayama seem basically brand new, so i dont think theyll be as brittle. But with that said, i am scared to take them back off lol. I'm going to call a local LC guy thats close to me and see if he can help me. Not having luck, and the internet can only help me so much. Where exactly do you use the 3m strim caulk? Around the louver? Around the air duct vent? Or both? I appreciate your help and input, thank you.

 

[MPS]

Am a bit late to this thread. I did the same project a few months back. The trim does cover the side panel until the bottom corner then it goes underneath. I carefully used a pocket knife to pull the trim over the vent cover. Had to be careful to not cut it in the process, but it worked. Interestingly, one of the side panels fit perfectly flush to the side of the car, while one still had the bottom part stick out a bit. Not sure why it didn't lay flat like the other but I suspect the part might have been flawed on that bit. Might go back in on a rainy day, remove the inside trim to reach the screw holding the panel and try again. As noted by others, the older plastic insert that holds the upper part of the cover in place had slots that allowed you to slide it up into a locked position. The newer ones are fixed so once you push them into the locked position they can't be removed without breaking them and starting over with a new piece.

 

[tech_dog]

I just fought this battle after installing new rubber weather strip and reinstalling the quarter windows. I used a small plastic trim tool to lip the weather stripping over the entire louver front edge, every bit of the way, and it sits flush and looks right. At no point is the rubber weather strip tucked under the louvre, not even the very end at the bottom front where it's a narrow edge and tricky to tuck.

I wish the FSM had told me to install the louvres before the weather strip as it would have been considerably easier that way. I don't consider the louvers to be the best-engineered Land Cruiser part....

 

[tech_dog]

Interestingly, one of the side panels fit perfectly flush to the side of the car, while one still had the bottom part stick out a bit. Not sure why it didn't lay flat like the other but I suspect the part might have been flawed on that bit.

I had this exact situation, and it was because the bottom front of the louvre, after the rubber weatherstrip lip makes the turn and gets thin, was behind the louver. I used a trim tool to bring the thin lip of rubber weather stripping to the front and now it sits perfectly flush.