Had a little incident this weekend when I went to close my convertible top…was a little windy and it must have pushed the top pane out a little when closing (the seal between the 2 panes had come apart) GRRRRRRRR!
Got the replacement rear window glass from CJ’s Pony Parts:
The top portion looks like it should zip right into the existing top portion of the rear window glass frame. How does the bottom adhere? Thought it was velcroed in but looks like it is permanently attached to the back panel of the frame/roof.
Bigger issue is it looks like with this new silicone seal/strip between the two panes I have no option but to leave it in when closing the top (there is no “bend” there). Does it simply unzip from the top and slide into the well when closing??? There is no way you have to fully remove and re-attach from the top/bottom every time you take the top down. That would make no sense.
Don Rush did a West Coast Classic Cougar You Tube video on replacing the convertible top on a 69–I believe that should answer your question. I’m afraid if I remember right, that zip on piece is actually part of the top replacement
Thanks…I don’t need to replace the whole top just the rear glass panel. I am planning on using the existing top zipper (just going to unzip the new one and discard the panel above it) and just need to adhere the bottom piece…my concern is that really thick silicone strip between the 2 panes (WAY thicker than the original). I just don’t see the panes bending the way they are supposed to when that top is lowered…something does not seem right!
OK, so I decided to take on the project on Saturday!
Not too horrible in all honesty…took about 2 hours…thankfully, the new top zipper fit perfectly into the existing old one attached to the “roof”. On the bottom I had to remove the well covering and metal strip from the “front” end of the trunk lid, detach the stapled old bottom flap, staple the new bottom flap into place and reinstall everything.
Of course, since I now have PTSD about the “crunch” I have not tried lowering the top…see about that in the Spring!
Hopefully this will help anyone else dealing with the same issue…feel free to give me a shout!
Yea, with that really thick silicone strip between the two panes I just don’t trust leaving it in when lowering the top…not even sure about unzipping/dropping it in the well and lowering it…it does have some bend to it but I am not going to find out until Spring!
At least I know that back window has no chance of leaking…it is sealed tight now!
Are you sure that silicone strip isn’t being protected by that larger plastic piece and that maybe it’s meant to be removed? That’s far wider than any other glass window divider I’ve ever seen.
I called the manufacturer (KEE Auto) and they said yes it is supposed to be like that/stay on there…it is stuck on there pretty good. I did think of taking a razor to it but I am going to let it be. They also did highly recommend to unzip and lower into the well when lowering the top.
We shall see next Spring…I am going to enjoy my new back window until then!
I was looking at west Coast CC Website, looking for a rear window. If the one you have there is a new one it certainly is not correct. Should look like this one.
I agree, that wide strip does not look correct. It would be in your direct line of vision thru the rear window. But to each their own. Never unzipped the window and never had any issues.
Yea, I am VERY happy that I saved probably $500+ for a shop to install it and I have a non-leaking rear window…I will worry about a thick silicone strip in the Spring!
I echo Trixie’s post on this. Never once unzipped the window to lower the top. Never had an issue in lowering/raising leaving the glass in place.
Does the manual say I need to? I should go look I suppose…
For 70, the manual says “The glass rear window must either be zipped-up or completely down.” I’ve never had a problem with the window folding in half when top is lowered either.
Neither did I but I am not testing it with that thick silicone strip/seal between the panes…will try it slowly in Spring! Most likely will unzip and drop into the well.
I read what you said about the vendor saying that thick strip is correct but I’m sticking with my position that it can’t actually be correct. The small inner strip yes, that’s what binds the two pieces of glass, but that thick outer cover has to come off. That has to be just for shipping.
