Door seal alternatives

[NickDawson]

Nick,

Did you get your soft top squared away?

not exactly - Id love some pics if you have any.

I'm also waiting for find a better pop rivet tool - the $10 version from the local hardware left them loose and weak. Until I find that I'm not going to drill the body.

[TedW]

'm also waiting for find a better pop rivet tool - the $10 version from the local hardware left them loose and weak. Until I find that I'm not going to drill the body.

Get yourself a Marson "Big Daddy." It's the cat's whiskers. Will handle the toughest genuine Land Rover pop rivet with ease. Look on ebay / the web and be prepared to spend around $100-$125. The LAST rivet gun you will ever buy (and I've bought plenty).

[Jim-ME]

Nick,
I'll post pics tomorrow when I've got daylight.
Jim

[thixon]

Nick,

Slow down! Do not, I repeat, Do not cut anything off the door tops! You will ruin the door tops, and be really ticked off.

The lip the seal fits onto is the one you have circlied in your first picture, and again in the third on your hoop set. The u shaped channel in the cross section drawing I posted slides over it. the lip everyone is recommending you grind off is the small 90 degree bend at the top of the lip, on the bulkhead in your first photo. If you really want to cut it off, a grinder will make short work of it. Just remember, its not the whole lip, but the very small 90 degree bend at the top of said lip.

However, you don't need to cut it off. If you take your time installing the aftermarket seal I'm talking about, you can work the channel of the seal over than lip, and it will fit just fine. I'm not to this stage on my truck yet, otherwise I'd take photos for you. Let me be clear here. I am not recommending the actual defender seal, but an aftermarket seal that is similar to (and less costly than) the defender seals. Check out the web link I posted.
No sense in cutting somthing off your truck if you dont need to.

[Andrew IIA]

Thanks for the links and advice Thixon. I've been looking for this sort of solution for replacing my old door seals.

Do you know where in their huge catalog the seal you recommended is found ? [edit: found it, page 108]

Regards, Andrew
'63 SIIA 88" SW

[Jim-ME]

Nick,
Shoot me an Email at jestump@aol.com and I'll send you pictures.
Jim

[Armordave]

I got the defender molding sets from RN. My experience in installing them (without trimming the lip) has been a little more tedious than others have explained, but I seem to be making it work. I did the back door and now doing a front door. Question: Im not sure how the sill molding is supposed to go on. Does this piece have to be revitted? Does anyone have a picture of one installed?

[jvsimmons]

Door Seal

Travis,
I contacted Restoration Specialties as you suggested - They wanted a part number. Do you still have that info for the door seals?

Jim

You can buy generic, press on door weatherstrip, by the roll. What you're looking for is similar to what others are indicating as "defender" style weatherstrip. The link I've given you is good for all types of weatherstripping, from window channel to, to door weatherstripping, to anything in between. Call 'em up, and let 'em know what your trying to accomplish. They'll help.

You can also buy rolls of this stuff at any autoparts store if your in a hurry. As usual, you'll pay more for it there (a lot more).

One more thing, you'll have to cut it, but its an easy project. If you take your time, the results will be excellent.

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go to home depot/lowes/menards and buy the stick on foam window and door weatherstripping and attempt to glue/stick it in place. You will be much happier with the performance and look of the automotive press on style stripping. You'll thank me later, trust me.

http://www.restorationspecialties.com