Re-use weather stripping or go new?

[ColoradoFJ40]

For those of you that have restored your 40 what did you do?

I am in the assembly phase of a long restoration and have some good weather stripping in my opinion. The only thing I will be replacing (unless you all state otherwise) is the front door weather stripping, hard top and rear doors. My plan is to reuse the windshield, and hard top glass weather seals. Is this wise or should I just get all new?

Thank you
Mark

 

[DSRTRDR]

the windshield window gasket is only like $50 from Toyota

 

[apeterson]

save everything you have that is good. it may not be available.

 

[Ambrew]

I just finished mine and went all Toyota weatherstriping. Most, if not all, is still available. I got it from Cruiserdan.

It's really up to you: if it's not too dry and cracking, then why not. But the way I see it, by replacing it all now I wont have to think about it for another 30 years. That and getting rid of the old paint overspray was a bitch.

 

[antFJ]

re-used mine on my 1978 - it was in great condition.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

Up to you. I have found that the door, top, and rear door weatherstrip is gone long before the window seals are gone. If you've removed the windows already, I'd replace those seals on principle. If not and they're intact and still look good, leave them there. The only caveat is if you're changing paint colors. If you're going that far, I'd remove the glass and do everything right.

 

[UZJ40]

The gasket at the bottom of the windshield will crush, and it is usually not good to reuse it. Mine looked fine when I took it out, but I replaced it because it had been smashed down for 30 years now, and I didn't trust it enough to put it back in. They are spendy though... I think it was around $300 for that one form Lowe Toyota.

 

[ColoradoFJ40]

You all bring up some very good points which is why I psoed the question. I think you guys have pointed me in the direction of new and save my current stuff

 

[UZJ40]

It's not fun buying all the weatherstripping you'll need. Fortunately for us though, Toyota still makes most of it (all the important stuff anyway). Here's my stash... I haven't added up what I spent, but I think it's around $2k, and that's at the discounted price