How to fix a fiberglass top of an FJ 40

[josemari]

The fiberglass top on my 1975 FJ 40 leaks in between the fiberglass and the rain gutter and the rain gutter is also starting to rot out. How to repair somthing like this?

 

[Fast Eddy]

Search for "rain gutter" or "hard top repair". There are lots of threads.

Basically, you have to drill out the rivets, repair or replace all the parts, then put it back together with some new weatherstripping. It sounds easier than it (probably) is.

 

[ducktapeguy]

x2 on what FastEddy said. I had the same problem, it does sounds a lot eaiser than it actually is. Fixing the rain gutter is quite a bit of work, it's probably cheaper to buy someone else's hardtop. For the price of just getting a replacement gutter and seal, you could find another one in good condition. Also if the gutter is rotted, the top lip on the sides is might be in pretty bad shape also.

If you want to just seal the leaks temporarily, you could probably just get some sealer and run it around the rain gutter to keep the water from leaking in.

 

[FineWynsFJ40]

CCOT sells the rain gutter channel and weatherstripping. Drilling out the pop rivets is the easy part. To get the metal pieces of the gutter assembly to line up and mark where to drill the pop rivet holes, you will need a fixture. Dad and I screwed some plyboard to some 2x4s, in a pattern around the perimeter of the fiberglass top. We then layed out the gutter, set the fiberglass top down on top of them, arranged them so they all fit together, then traced them out with a Sharpie (including the pop rivet holes). Next, we removed the fiberglass top, made sure the metal gutters lined up, screwed them down with wood screws and washers. After welding the gutter together, we drilled the rivet holes, painted the gutter with a primer, removed it from the jig, then began to pop rivet the gutter to the fiberglass top. Once pop riveted, silicone seal the inside and outside where the top meets the gutter, wait for it to cure, then paint. After that, simply bolt it on using the proper weatherstripping and hardware, and voila! New gutters!

Brian

 

[youmustbecrazy]

I belt sanded all the crap off the fiberglass - paint / liner without removing gutter. I applied new resin, sanded and then applied high quality caulking over rivets and connecting gutter to fiberglass. I'm not out for perfection, but all in all I'm very pleased. Currently 100% sealed and looks good and weathertight. my son went the other route, ended up being a lot of work, and still has a few leaks. If your gutter is shot, sounds like you may have to replace. We found an extra fiberglass top, and cut the needed section of gutter off swapped it out and welded back together - also a cheap fix. It doesn't hurt to get creative!

 

[dgangle]

Advanced search found 97 related threads with "rain gutter" in the 40/55 section. here's a few.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/204536-rain-rail-hardtop-restoration.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/205093-hardtop-rivets.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/186965-removing-fiberglass-top-rain-gutter.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/5951-hardtop-restoration.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/181882-just-arrived-drip-rail-ccot.html