Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

It's getting cooler & close putting the hard top back on for the winter. Last time it was on, I remember a major leak at the front corner and top of the door (vent window area). I don't expect it to be totally leak free, but this is a river flowing in. Think I may be missing some weatherstriping or something. Also the door glass doesn't fit very snug against the top either.
So I was sondering if y'all had some pics of your tops in that area?
Is there supposed to be something on the door itself too? All my weatherstipping is only on the top.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Your body mounts are probably shot. It's causing the body to sag in the middle making the top not align properly.

The only thing other than the seals is the drip rail deflector.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/ProductImages/08-9178.jpg

On the door, you should have the door caps above the vent window.
http://www.brotherstrucks.com/images/9640.jpg

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Hey Bouncy when I bought my Blazer all seals and deflectors were missing. If I understand correctly the top pic mounts to the hardtop and bottom mounts to door at wing window top?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Yes, the top one, the deflectors, mount between the hardtop and the windshield frame.

The door caps mount on the very top of the wing window on the door. Those do not get removed when you pull the top off.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Them things have gotten pricey too :(

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

What hasn't?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

The body mounts are good, but I don't have either of the two pics you are showing. It looks like my doors are cut up truck doors. They don't even have the screw holes where the door caps would mount.
Anybody got a pic of the drip rail deflector on a truck. Not sure I really understand where/how that goes?
Thanks for the help!

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

My hard top isn't on the truck, so I don't have any pics, but it goes on the underside of the door glass frame to the underside of the windshield frame. They have about a 45 degree bend in them so the wide part can mount to the hardtop and the narrow part mounts to the windshield frame. Look and see if you have two holes in each spot, which is where it screws in.

Also, find yourself a tube of RTV or weatherstrip adhesive. Put a few spots on the bottom of the header seal just before you put the top on the windshield frame. Sometimes, driving around the block with the top loosely bolted can help settle it in place a bit more.

For the gaps around the doors, are they at the top rear corner of the door? If so, I'd still suspect the body mounts. You may need to shim them a bit to raise the center of the body.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

I'm a ways off before putting top on but also would like some closeup pics whenever some one has time.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Okay, I dug the hard top out of the shed Saturday & got it cleaned up (with a little help)! Are these the holes your taking about where the drip rail deflector should mount?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Nope. Those holes are the mounting points for the hardware that holds the top in place. There are K5 specific sunvisor mounts that bolt to the windshield frame in the spot you are pointing at and then there is a mounting bolt that goes through the sunvisor mount into the top in the hole you're pointing at there.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

I need to do the same thing to mine when I get to it. I don't even have any weather stripping yet so I am subscribing for now.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Thank Bouncy for you input on this. I was wondering how the drip rail deflectors installed and where to buy them. A quick search on google yielded this http://www.classicparts.com/prodinfo...713&variation=. Has anyone ordered these or another set from a board vendor?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Looks like I need the deflector also . Do they really work? I have just redone my top and its getting $$$$ new glass,new windows and new bed rail seals so far and the list keeps getting longer..

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Work is all relative. They probably work better than nothing, but they aren't great.

As for where to purchase them, I seriously doubt there is more than one manufacturer. There isn't enough Blazers still on the road to warrant more than one. Buy them from your favorite vendor.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

LMC has both.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

mmmmmmmmmmmm wes would be my favorite vendor............wes

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Yup, Wes! Use LMC for the pictures, Wes for the actual orders!

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

hey bouncy..what kinda pics do you draw all day?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Here's mine.

http://images103.fotki.com/v421/phot...pg_orig-vi.jpg


http://images103.fotki.com/v421/phot...pg_orig-vi.jpg


http://images103.fotki.com/v422/phot...pg_orig-vi.jpg


http://images105.fotki.com/v451/phot...SCN1993-vi.jpg


http://images105.fotki.com/v450/phot...SCN1994-vi.jpg


http://images105.fotki.com/v449/phot...SCN2000-vi.jpg

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

I one of the owners of a graphic design firm, soon to be the sole owner - http://www.imageink.com

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Good call on the sealer before putting it on.. I'm not that smart...

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Thanks everbody for the info & to BobbyK for the installed pics.
This site is SOOOO helpful!

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

What he said:cool:

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Thanks for the link bouncy...thread jack off sorry op

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Just wondering, were the drip rail deflectors factory on all 69-72 Blazer/Jimmys? Or was this a '72 only thing after GM couldn't figure any other way of sealing the tops better?

You sure don't see any of these on any of the for sale blazers. At least I haven't. My Jimmy doesn't have holes in the window frame for two of those screws.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Thanks for the installed pics I just got a new set for mine. Anyone know where to get the hardware for them?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

I just used short, stainless panhead screws from Lowes.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Yup...go stainless.

I'm sure your not doing a 100 point concourse resto,so it doesn't really matter.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Nice info guys

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

I'm bringin' this one back up as no one answered 71jimmy, and I'm in the same boat, or tub maybe I should say:-). Anyway there ain't no way that my '70 ever had drip rail deflectors. I am wondering that they are for single-wall tops only? And yes my truck does use the vent window caps although the original ones were smooth on top and aftermarket ones have those lines on the top. The top has never been off of mine yet since new so I know there hasn't been any alterations made.

Later---DAC

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Well I can't answer whether or not they came factory either.
But they did not help much with tht leaky top issue; no wonder they went to 1/2 removable tops. Just have to know that's part of it...or least it is on mine!

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

So It's back! I too am bringing this back up as I have the same question about these deflectors as my 70 Blazer also doesn't have the holes in the windshield pillars. Were these only available on the 72 models or a factory fix? I get quite a bit of water coming inside at this location so am considering installing the deflectors but if they don't really help then I don't really want to drill holes and install them. Are there any other fixes for this area?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Do you need these drip rail deflectors when using a soft top as well? Or just a hard top?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Glad to see I'm not the only one My 71 leaks from everywhere. front windows, between bed sides and top, and all around the back window. I took out the carpet the first year I had it because it leaked so bad. After having replaced all the floors in my 69 Camaro, I was paranoid of the K5 rusting out under the carpet. I don't understand how these 2wd guys have all the custom interiors and stereos in these trucks. I guess they don't drive in the rain ever. I'm going bed liner on the entire floor and bed, and a bikini top for the mid summer sun, and winter rain. Otherwise can't beat rollin' around topless.:metal:

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

I also have leak issues with my 70 jimmy. My top is double walled and most of the water comes in on the driver's side right where the wing window meets the top. I want to install all new weather strip for the whole truck. You said LMC has all the parts?

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

These deflector do seem to be 72 specific. Don't know if it was stock or an add on tho. The door caps were smooth on top in 69-70 then got lines on top in 71-72 it seems.

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

I saw a thread about issues with the bolts for the top seem to break or strip. I like the idea about changing nuts to wing nuts should I use any special grade of bolt and wing nut like all stanless steel? Also on my 70 GMC Jimmy the PO had to replace and weld in the metal strip above the windsheild and below the top. maybe he didn't get it lined up quite right. Could I use the rain deflectors for the 71-72 on my 70 I know I would have to drill some holes. But if you know anyone who have done this on their 70 and it solve the water problem I would do it in a second.
Thanks for your help this website has been so helpful and informative I don't know what I would have done without this forum!!

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Hey guys, I bought some new drip rail deflectors and could not see where to mount them. According to the pictures shown above, this would mean you have to take the screws out of the deflector on the windshield bar before taking the top off? Is this right?
Thanks,
JD

Re: Weatherstipping for leaky top
 

Also have a 1970 K5 and don't have screw holes on the windshield pillar for the rain deflector to screw into. I'm just going to use weatherstripping adhesive, if it stays, no need for screws.