AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Body Shop => Topic started by: amarshall on January 05, 2017, 04:45:09 PM

Title: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: amarshall on January 05, 2017, 04:45:09 PM
I needed to replace the crumbling window channels in my 88 Wagon, and looked in the usual places for a replacement.  There are a couple sources typically mentioned here, but I couldn't find a source with 90 degree molded corners.  Some were sold by the foot, and you would need to cut a corner yourself by trimming some material.

I found a good substitute seal from a Jeep Wrangler.  The TJ wranglers from 1998-2006 sometimes had full steel doors with roll-up windows.  These channels have hard molded corners at the front corner, but the channel can simply be flipped.  I ordered a set of 2 from RockAuto for about $25, the Fairchild KD1012 and they work well.  You would need 2 kits (4 pieces) to do all the doors on a wagon.

Note that the seals are exactly the same width on the Jeep and the AMC's, but the Jeep seals are a little shallower/shorter.  In other words, the AMC channels (the steel doors) are a little deeper than the Jeep's.  On my wagon the seals originally had about 1/8" visible to the outside when the window was closed.  The Jeep seals are exactly flush with the steel door so nothing is visible from the outside.  There is no functional difference and I'm very happy with the fit and the price.

Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: amarshall on January 05, 2017, 05:12:44 PM
Here is an image of the 1/8" size difference.  The window on the left has an original seal and my finger is touching a little bit that is exposed.  The window on the right has been replaced with the Jeep seal and is completely flush to the door.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dfEx-7GGZuB4bwvNcmuUKbvS3Qfg5v7liMQLIFO-T2hpC4bCj00HTGYqSF7e9z6qF2jAokZcCg1e6XiDC4gqXdP33yDTvrgQA3yyKGdVM7dHyH6CdmW-lpVntE_jpdZFFQpY0VeZVqaK2f2z8TeDo20lHjh2L-6t4X_1BYB_PGKeY6_4ywwb8bFY-mCmQ7ptcPyHCMvRRn6l0gt6Yr_f2uEbqfcG5DfI6t9k8unRkkLLfcc8BUHKqRynAOxzObsp09CKmC5ya7FnBn2NUug8XGCRkcc9ZmTHhwfher6OMsuBnFMsL08T0PBy-2apEwmYJ5sKIxHIWaGf6Vj2AguoQ3rpLF_X4UpOPbCMKYdgWNe0AzCPjeFphA1utMk9p7CXOn08hCg8ANmC0PCRBI3_cuQgNSJNA5DuLUjMoq9piSq2z9C6FbqMPyaRMBMCaldHSu23TwW-284dxtjO_RkivNJHUJUbqoGAl-Ni3QtKB3TtxEFVdmisivC2yyDLLgreyYQ_uqz6ijUy6sMJUo7KkYQktKmbveqBijbw8leeBIPQzThrhSPdps3Qu3YPfIh6zeKGMbLev5iedudMHcEXf_-E29QlMsEV142JX6to4e3V94qJoKkYAT3mECvbiggEIIQC9RoU50ZHIAWxwPLZ_klS2b7BEF9Tenx1=w1340-h1005-no)

Here's a shot of the corner showing the molded corner.  The ruler was there to show that the seal is flush with the door, not a great shot though.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4ClNasAcn8as8C3dhHT8AgB_PcJYsUxTfLXOROEmMBtwyzm8kHhMRjmNzxmjIWw5DByMcm2O2k_egDsaEf3w9vh6tDnxtCAm_SqqW2Q0NJX-3PsEZ_0J55yi311WOPVNHKko1GuLfLNSOWFFInmYDALzwpZ4vR8np-J_Tm_HrVhUB1QGFu3YACEJhMT_1Njx8Fu1orF_NeLlMfnzr-Uu67gLFSCAEzyziPKB6kJHHwHI3MrbS_l3puD0NZ_PwX_Aov8FYaMBOiF5SRoX1QOaYPT3UBFC2cGSS7zpV5EXL8npeed3mYf4i7RIEhHOiC0QnLAAmDG08CWi8HnYTH_S9bKeasAj3_E6VUVPjJgI6KMNgnAiM8MBSRTsY4LvKAD5qSoZOsW-QtEVNj1Gosg_oYVhG3XBucs_Pb74t5Xr8pef1rOJRv0ovoJEht79vVFF45du53y8a5Hj9I886z-5JstEvk_yKJoeDdC0bUhW91AnyQpwF_tNG_xOt1LS0TWaJdob0YSL1-h9akq9ItNEFemYdrcdmmhm-OeEYG4osEHPGb_JGB-IZyf4KCF143QZ5bZKEwQp4YnVClxdYWYOGg6EtTPbFMrHiBmkufddJCMO0r2n3wQlvIx4lbmMvwwrtUNLF1HHsNjczXnSvu_wwMo4g8XuzEWr9T8l=w754-h1005-no)

There is one other difference with the Jeep seals.  They have some relief cuts to help with some of the Jeep door curves, as in the photo below.  On an Eagle, these land in the straight section of the door near the mirror.  No problem at all, can't even tell they are there once installed.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i0xV85Kve10JXXicrcrLrcBdryE5U5U7rqurDmNQBEHnM9qpRYJoL64i4LxDL3iz6KXo51RSIMZwcfa3R6arCm8XSEimaJl5q5yEmKEit2U5oxNSaNOxDHtJZBbsHFuXmWbCEUylAvf-KveBKFCTcJrocF1ykKbr99Ews9xq_3Jz-2etzty8_xDaKoMdRXURqfZaxJ3DzTDlGQ5AtuJSJ0e6nKUrJSaaGD7xV_JP6qZq0XzpqQ1t4NhkdxJJVOQVEEql8ifwT0v1kHAmlxR1eLstp6N68kXQAVliM9FqAAdW54Gy6w1IPeu98WdRvxQsK1xoa1oOzeiZNMLEzy_ppA5yZwt__xCwu186mbrdka-SJaGFILbF2k9q-XJ5RpathIr5uhKcO3ZI_Pjfo1YOFJ6Vl789toWFQFXvDaVJG31jS-5z_FJ3WV9xUmWGicjmx65dhCwxHVdyiLraK0FbUfLr4gQcAMMSqJSfa7EJ0nVgnQyhhGaj0g3BGnIz3AZ5dak3SufqIb2LpZnTOAwUT9Q7k-wIQBGGATBlrk2OHcODHRTRY9UGErjrKVbTCdw1H2HhnpN479AmyU4QacbtfWkGFL1GpAUVLrkiNM12XOLImFEEhVZ8zZcZrZAhLvBKrLVLv-2Jv0-QsTShEE8GdyuJxX7uZvWCgeY5=w754-h1005-no)
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: rmick on January 05, 2017, 10:29:27 PM
Check with Tennessee Farmer in the forum I bought mine from him reasonable price as well.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: Firebolt0788 on February 28, 2017, 04:09:03 PM
so im sorry but im new on here and it seems like tons of the images are all broken links or not able to be viewed even on the new topics such as this one ... anyone have any insight on how to fix this ?

this is from viewing on my up to date computer and phone ?
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: amarshall on February 28, 2017, 09:55:38 PM
On this specific post, the problem is likely my fault.  I'm fairly new around here also, and not sure I've figured out how to post images yet.  I'll try to edit.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: Firebolt0788 on February 28, 2017, 10:57:52 PM
whatever you did fixed it  ;D
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: amarshall on March 01, 2017, 12:03:42 AM
whatever you did fixed it  ;D

Great, thanks for letting me know!
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: DAVE on March 02, 2017, 01:50:36 PM
how much extra did you have on these just curious if they would have enough for a 2 door eagle
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: amarshall on March 04, 2017, 12:03:14 AM
There was at least 10" extra on both ends that I trimmed.  Hang tight for a day or tow and I can measure one. I didn;t install them all yet so I have a couple that are uncut.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: racerkilla on March 05, 2017, 10:51:14 PM
Did you pull the door panels and install the new rubber all the way down into the track. I know on the 2 doors that rubber goes almost to the bottom of the door front and back. Curious if it would work on a 2 door. Much cheaper then anything else out.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: amarshall on March 05, 2017, 11:14:57 PM
I was lazy for the first one I installed and didn't pull the door panel.  I just shoved as much as I could into the long track and clipped the rest.

I measured a fresh one.  The short leg is 19" from the corner, and the long one is 60 1/2".  I don't know how long the door is on a coupe, but that seems plenty long to me.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: racerkilla on March 06, 2017, 05:32:14 PM
I think on a 2 door that will still come up short. I measure 19 from top of the glass and only gets you to the upper part of door handle. I know that channel rubber extends almost to the bottom of the door. It is what holds the glass tight when the window is down. Maybe if you left some old in and spliced it would be fine. Most of the time every bit of that rubber is rock hard and brittle.  Same goes for the front wont reach to the bottom of the track either.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: amarshall on March 07, 2017, 10:03:00 AM
Makes sense, this may not be a perfect solution.  Does the full track need to be filled?  Seems like a little missing at the bottom may work, as long as the top is secure.  When I finally get to installing the other 3 doors, I'll pull the panels and try to do it right.  And will take some pictures.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: racerkilla on March 07, 2017, 07:19:19 PM
I like to have the full track on my 2 doors. When the window is down that track is what keeps the window tight inside the door along with the sweeps. This is a great idea for the 4 doors or if the rubber still good inside the doors. 2 of my amx's and sx/4 rubber was rock hard and had to be chipped out of the entire track. I found a supplier online for the 2 door but close to 75 shipped for pair. But with the money I have in them what another 75 at that point lol.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: vangremlin on March 08, 2017, 12:33:37 PM
I like to have the full track on my 2 doors. When the window is down that track is what keeps the window tight inside the door along with the sweeps. This is a great idea for the 4 doors or if the rubber still good inside the doors. 2 of my amx's and sx/4 rubber was rock hard and had to be chipped out of the entire track. I found a supplier online for the 2 door but close to 75 shipped for pair. But with the money I have in them what another 75 at that point lol.

I guess another option would be to buy one extra window channel, trim off what you need from the straight side, and splice it into the window track down in the door.  Just tossing out an idea here.  I'll need to be doing the same thing to my coupe as the rubber is as you described, rock hard, and already missing some sections.  If you try this out, please let us know how it works!  Thanks.
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: racerkilla on March 08, 2017, 10:34:15 PM
Forgot to mention to change the rubber its easier to have glass out of the way. I did one with the glass it and very hard to get rubber down into track, never again. 3 bolts pulls the glass on a 2 door.. pretty simple
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: jeanajavelin on November 10, 2020, 02:42:11 PM
Glad I found this info...I am about to put in an order to replace my fleet eagle 4 door window channels.  Has anyone found anything compatible for the outer window felts/sweeps?  ::)
Title: Re: Substitute Window Channel Seals
Post by: AMC of Houston on November 10, 2020, 03:31:48 PM
Peter Stathes and some of the other AMC vendors sell replacement sweeps for the 4-doors.