88 Pioneer. Roof trim in need if something. Take it off? Leave it? It needs new gaskets and some of the fasteners are loose like the nut is gone off backside.
Will headliner have to come out? Suggestions please????

 

The outer rails are attached using Well Nuts™. Here's a write-up I did a while back. No need to remove the headliner, btw...

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/to...roject-160808/

 

I replaced mines with a rack from a later model. Since I had the headliner off already, I used a metal bar about 1/8" thick by 3/4" wide cut to the same length as the rack. I drilled and tapped it to match the holes in the rack/roof and remounted the rack. Its much more solid than the rubber well nuts from the factory.

I also removed the trim in the center (4 strips). The plastic or rubber got so weathered and broken so it just started leaking etc. I replaced it with strips from a later model which are just black rubber or plastic held on by foam tape. There are holes in the roof after you remove the original, but the tape just covers it.

 

Ok thanks. Where can I get the rubber gaskets, well nuts and other trim materials? Im thinking replacing all that stuff will be easier than removing trim and repairing all those holes.

 

I got the Well Nuts and stainless machine screws at Ace Hardware. If you don't have that, they're available online.

 

NICE JOB Jeff! (although that vacuum bothers me alittle )

 

Thanks guys. I did stop by Ace and they have a very good assortment of well nuts and stainless fasteners. Where can I get that rubber seal that goes between trim and paint... And the insert rubber for the trim in the middle area.

 

I might check rockauto or jcwitney, after I looked at what Bruce has at my local JY.

 

It's actually plastic (not rubber) and it's not really a seal, it's just decorative and may prevent chaffing between the stainless rails and the paint. If they're not completely ruined, they can be cleaned and reused. I searched Rock Auto, JC Whitney, and a few other odd-ball (but awesome) distributors of XJ parts and found nothing available so that would leave reuse or junk yard.

 

1/8" Neoprene w/PSA just cut it into the strips you need:

 

Hmmm. Mine are in bad shape. So im guessing most rubber products in time would leave a black smudgy mess if not specifically automotive specific. Thanks, Ill come up with something.

 

Sorry Turbo You must have been posting while I was typing. Thats a good idea. I also thought about black King Starboard like they use in the boating world. But I dont know if u can get strips.