lost rear hatch glass today. cheapest option?

vx1kxj · 03-22-2009, 09:16 PM

so out on the trail today i was on a hill and got stuck...no big deal i back down to give it another try. I gun it and get stuck again. The hill was steep so i hit the breaks to keep me from rolling back into some trees (prob shouldnt have done that). locked the tires up and slid don the muddy hill backwards right into a tree and SMASH!!!!!! rear windshield gone (we picked up all the glass off the trail). There is VERY minimal damage to the fiberglass hatch but the windshield is non existant. what is the cheapest option i have. im having trouble convincing my parents that buying a whole new hatch from the JY complete with glass maybe a cheaper option

atv_fanatic · 03-22-2009, 09:20 PM

I agree with you going to the jy would be the cheapest and easiest fix for the window. Just get a whole new hatch and throw it on.

vx1kxj · 03-22-2009, 09:25 PM

thats what i was thinking. there is a guy near me parting out an xj the same color. My parents want it "fixed right by and autoglass repairman" i was thinking about not listening to them and just getting the matching hatch off that guy cheap and fixing it before they have a say in it and when its fixed they wont have a choice in the matter LOL. BTW im paying for the reapai myself

**jeepkid03** · 03-22-2009, 09:41 PM

^^getting the used one is the best option. Especially if its the same color. That will fix any damage you had to your hatch also. Sometimes going against your parents is the only way, believe me mine are really strict. but you know that once they pay a couple hundred bucks for a new hatch window (and its expensive because of the rear defrost pieces) that they wont let you go wheeling anymore. They will say "we just payed to have it fixed and dont want you breaking it again". That happened when I had to fix the steering on my quad. I payed for it all myself then they said they didnt want me to drive it.

edit: read your paying for it yourself. Just do it your way. Your wallet...your way of doing it.

diskman_1 · 03-22-2009, 10:17 PM

If you DO change your rear hatch, make sure that you use the absolutely CORRECT size Torx bit. I have pulled hatches before and those bolts are very very tight. If you strip em you need to grind the heads into hex bolts and use one of those fancy "rounded bolt extractor sockets" from Sears.

Replacing the rear glass is dead simple. It's held in with a rubber gasket. Simply clean all the surfaces and the gasket... Open the hatch up and place the window on the hatch opening with the bottom of the glass started in the hole. Carefully work the rubber gasket back on all the way around. Had mine out several times for various projects myself.

atv_fanatic · 03-22-2009, 10:33 PM

iIhink if i were you i'd just by the hatch of the other xj you speak of.Don't forget if you do change hatch you won't be able to lock or unlock it with your key...

XJohnnyC · 03-22-2009, 11:17 PM

Why don't you just get a piece of glass from a junkyard and put it in yourself? It's pretty easy on the pre 97 models.

In fact, they pop out pretty easily. I had a friend fold his hatch and the glass popped out in one piece. When I rolled my 96, again, the glass popped out in one piece.

I still have that same glass just sitting in my garage.

CherokeeGT · 03-22-2009, 11:44 PM

if put the old lock cylinder in the new hatch your key will be the same still

the lock cylinder is verry simple to change

LeftOfCenterXJ · 03-23-2009, 08:05 AM

Maybe I'm alone here... but I think this sounds like a good reason to CHOP IT!!!!!

**jeepkid03** · 03-23-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Maybe I'm alone here... but I think this sounds like a good reason to CHOP IT!!!!!

I was waiting for someone to say that. If his parents want him to do it right they'd prolly flip when they walk out and see half the jeep missing and him standing there with a sawzall

mctwin2kman · 03-23-2009, 08:41 AM

Check your insurance to. I have no deductible glass breakage on mine with only liability insurance. The glass is part of my theft, glass, and fire policy. Last time I broke a window it was free. LOL!

LeftOfCenterXJ · 03-23-2009, 08:46 AM

As far your parents go, just go get a quote from a glass shop, then tell them how much that replacement hatch is. I'm sure when they see the difference in price they might become more leanient.

vx1kxj · 03-23-2009, 10:17 AM

thanks guys, if i can get that hatch for 100 or less i think its more worth it. Im going to make a couple phone calls and ill post what i come up with

vx1kxj · 03-30-2009, 06:57 PM

ok guys i got this hatch today for 100$ this one even has a working wiper! is the lock/opening mechanism pretty straightforward to swap out by removing the interior panel?

vx1kxj · 03-31-2009, 12:24 AM

bumpage plz