Liftgate glass replacement

[shmukster]

Been making progress resurrecting an 87 FJ60 that has been sitting since at least 2007. When I bought it the liftgate glass was smashed. I removed all the glass shards from the gasket, the gasket is still in place. yesterday I brought home a rusty liftgate with a good glass. The donor glass is nice, as is the rubber gasket and the embedded chrome (or stainless?) trim. I have a few questions about installing the new glass. I've installed a few windshields in 40 series and know how to do it using either the string or the plastic putty knife method.

First question I have is which is easiest, installing the glass in to a gasket that is already in place in liftgate opening or better to put the gasket on the glass and install that combo into the liftgate?

Next question, should the chrome (or SS) trim be removed from the gasket for the process of replacing the glass? I don't particularly care of the truck ends up with the trim pieces.

Looking forward to some suggestions and appreciate any help you can give!

 

[Spook50]

I would install the gasket to the glass with a silicon sealant, and then apply a urethane sealant to the outer groove of the gasket to prevent moisture intrusion and future sheet metal corrosion. then I would install it to the lift gate with the rope method.

The lock strip definitely has to come out, and I wouldn't stress over keeping it in good shape when you do because it's insanely easy to damage to the point of being unserviceable. @kevinmrowland I think still sells replacement black lock strip through his Wagon Gear business. I have his lock strip for when I get around to repairing my lift gate as well.

 

[ChaserFJ60]

I installed my own glass by myself. I recommend a buddy to help i had a close call haha. This video is the key to FJ60 rear glass IMO. Install is super easy

 

[shmukster]

Thank you for the video! I'm gonna give it a whirl and am gonna try to keep the chrome trim in place too. Stay tuned and thanks again!!!!!!

 

[FJ40Jim]

Gary, the last time I installed used glass and gasket, the hatch, glass & gasket were all left out in the sun for a couple hours before attacking it.
Makes an old weatherstrip much easier to work with.

 

[shmukster]

Gary, the last time I installed used glass and gasket, the hatch, glass & gasket were all left out in the sun for a couple hours before attacking it.
Makes an old weatherstrip much easier to work with.

Well that should be easy to do what with the weather forecast for the next two days! I did remove the donor glass and seal from the rusty liftgate last evening. Waiting for the exhaust guy to finish up his work, then I can get at the glass.
After that it goes to Kelly Toyota for a new gas tank, a freebie!
Thanks as always for the insight, Jim.