Full Size Jeep Network

I want to replace the windshield on my 89 GW. It is very cloudy around the edges and that bugs me. Trying to decide if I need a new seal at the same time. Anyone have experience with reusing the seal in a 25" year old vehicle? Trying to avoid the cost of a new seal if possible.

I would replace the seal at the same time,
Most shops that do windshield will no warranty there work unless a new seal is used.
Besides cheap insurance at the same time.
How cloudy is it, like glass separating/air pockets.
If it's cosmetic then something like Mr clean magic eraser could clear it up

It's been my experience that you have to replace the windshield and gasket together. It's not a matter of age, but rather the change in glass technology. New windshields are thinner because glass has gotten tougher. Old gaskets won't seal the new thinner glass, and new gaskets don't fit old glass. I have no measurements to back this up, but it's my conclusion after numerous trials and thier errors.

Bite the bullet and replace the seal, too. Make sure the glass shop that does it knows how to do OLD style windshields.

The cloudy edges mean that the glass is starting to de-lamninate. And yes, it IS annoying. :- )

New glass and old seals create an interesting dilemma. All the new seals I see advertised are supposedly a replica of the original seals which were designed for old style thicker glass. Does that mean that a new seal (old design) will not fit well with new thinner glass? I agree with everyone's assessment that a new seal is the best approach and I expect I will go that way. I suspect I have no choice for a new seal that has been redesigned for the thinner glass. Even if the seal is still the old design, I would expect it to seal better than a 25+ year old seal.

i guess it depends.. Ill be honest when i took my 1uarter panel glass out the old 27 year old seal was still rubbery flexible like it was new.

I don't believe there are any new seals for old glass. About 8 years ago this was the hot topic on the FSJ forums. Nobody could get the windshield to seal, either because they were having a windshield installer try to reuse the seal, or because they ordered a new seal to install good glass they got from a junk yard. At first it was thought that the available seals were made to the wrong dimensions or that the corners of new glass had a different radius in the corners. Eventually someone posted pics of a new windshield on top of an old windshield and the only difference was the thickness. Since then I've had two new windshields with new seals installed by safelite and neither leaks. They were just under $200 installed each, but I think the price has gone up a little since then.

I have called several installers and all tell me that they do not offer a new seal Need to bring my own if I want a new one. Several sellers offer new seals ranging from $45 to $80.