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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/2003 Wrangler hard top rear window

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Expert: - 10/5/2005


Question
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Followup To
Question -
Over the past several months the rear window works its way from behind the tail gate and rattles as it bangs between the tail gate and the spare tire.  The gas shocks that hold the window in the open position seem ok but have some slop in the down or closed position.  I don't wnat to go out and buy new shocks if that's not the problem.  Have you heard of this issue? If so is there an easy cure?
Answer -
Steve,

The gas shocks should have nothing to do with holding down the window.  Normally, they are there to lift, and hold the window in the open position.

It sounds like you have a faulty latch that should hold the window in the closed position.  I would suggest that you remove the spare, and try to pull and push on the window to see if the latch is coming open or loose.  This could be as simple as some loose screws in the latch mechanism.

Carl

Carl,

There is no latch on the rear window of a hard top Wrangler.  There is a rubber gasket on the bottom of the window that gets compressed when the tail gate is closed.  

Answer
Steve,

I checked out the 2003 Wranglers, and you are right, there are no latches on that model.  Our local dealer said that they will pop open, as in your case, if they are not adjusted right.  They said that any Jeep dealer should be able to adjust this for you, and it should be covered under a warranty.

Carl

PS:  I learn something new every day.

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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