So, if you haven't noticed I've been posting a couple of questions of about body parts. I'm restoring my old 4Runner, and I'm discovering the car all over again. With the help from this forum I felt like I fixed most everything mechanical that broke or needed upgrading, so I'm now learning all the bits about the body.

The trim around the rear side windows was cracking. I thought it was just the paint on the trim weathering. I tried to sand it down, didn't have much luck. I then used paint stripper on it. I was kind of shocked to find it didn't work. But it did lift the "paint" off the trim, so I tried to pull. I found out that it's in fact rubber. And not only is it rubber it has a flange of rubber around the trim.

Now I have partially torn off and sanded down rubber coated trim. At this point I can't just paint over it. I'm not sure I could have to being with since the rubber was pretty bad cracked.

Any suggestions? I'm feeling I should just remove the trim from the glass and cut off the rubber, paint it and be done. But I'm worried about loosing the flange part. Will it look weird not having the flange? Does the flange provide any function or is it just esthetics.

I'm trying to decypher what you are talking about. Are you referring to the rubber, that surrounds the furthest rear side window glass (the one that kinda bolts in, and curves towards the top of the shell)? Is it the external part you are talking about? If so, I will be removing my glass to keep or sell, the rest will be chopped up and tossed in the dumpster.

It is the back half of my old shell, that still has the glass that I am dumping...

Yeah it's the glass you're talking about. The windows that are removed from your shell. The black trim pieces that go around the glass are coated in rubber not paint.

If your rubber is in good shape let me know how much you want for the windows/trim.

Absolutely. Been strapped up in the garage for the last 6 years. I'm outta town tomorrow thru next week. If you can hold out until then, you can give me $20 plus the shipping.
I would rather have someone use it all, rather than toss it all. I'll start carefully removing the glass/trim next week from the partial shell I have left over.

You can get the whole window out in one shot if you leave it in the sun then use something to pry the frame out of the roof... comes out like butter.
You have to remove the whole frame first before doing anything else... it come apart pretty easily after that, just a bit of a pain getting the glass out...

Thanks!

We'll see how it goes.

Worst case, I'll just cut the fiberglass around the windows, and let Chunky deal with it.

Judging by what you have done to your truck, you will have no problems.

There is also a string in the butyl rubber holding the window on that you can pull, but i didn't need it. Any pics of the fixed roof?

might help

http://www.toyotafiberglass.com/l_trim_install.htm


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I just bought a full used shell local for $60. Painted it to match the rest of the truck. I haven't had a full shell on there in years. Looks pretty good.

Staceman the top looks great. Nice job with the repairs. Have you ever thought about installing a cavas type top like the old vw vans. One that slides and folds back? Might be kinda kool.
Cory thanks for the info for removing the "L" trim. I was trying to figure it out on my own with no luck. All you guys have been really helpful and generous with your knowledge. I know many of us are more than thankful. So next is, how do I get the black "4runner" trim off without breaking the tabs behind it?