New weatherstrip alternative

malus_rex · September 20th, 2009, 09:19 PM

So in the never ending quest to find cheaper and cheaper methods of improving my Z, I ran across a weatherstrip which can be easily found in the junk yard in good condition which matches the inner door seal on Z coupes almost perfectly. I pulled it from a first generation (1993-2002) Kia Sportage (didn't check the exact year).

It has the correct cross-section and is almost exactly the same size as the stock weatherstrip. It is also much softer and more pliable than the precision kit's version, which I expect will alleviate the difficulties getting the door to close. I was able to pull it from the Kia easily without tearing simply using a flat blade screwdriver to guide it.

The only trimming needed is to cut about 6" off since the Kia doors are bigger. The new strip has a molded corner which I lined up with the 90 degree curve at the front of the door.

I've yet to reinstall my doors, but once I do I'll post the results here. I don't anticipate any problems.

lumberjackj · September 20th, 2009, 11:45 PM

sounds like a good alternative!
Now, I wonder if we can find a source online for these cheap?

Wedge · November 1st, 2009, 03:05 PM

updates ?

malus_rex · November 2nd, 2009, 04:44 PM

Real life has delayed the progress on my Z, so I still haven't reinstalled the doors. Once I do I'll update the thread, but it may be a while.

JeffGarcia77 · November 2nd, 2009, 05:23 PM

Real life? Zs ARE real life.

Good find there, Malus. Good research.

srbigbutt · November 2nd, 2009, 08:05 PM

I got to remember this when I go to the Junk Yard again.

az240z · November 6th, 2009, 11:04 PM

me too

DavyZ · November 7th, 2009, 09:26 AM

I bought some weatherstrip from McMaster Carr, but I would love some strip that had more pliability to it. This Kia Sportage door weatherstrip sounds very promising. I'll have to pull some when I go to the JY.

Davy

palosfv3 · November 7th, 2009, 11:32 AM

1998 - 2003 Cavalier 2 door weatherstrips work very nicely. About $45.00 ea at you local Chevy dealer.

280Z-75 · November 7th, 2009, 04:33 PM

I installed acura integra weather strips (94-2001 integs) in my Z. My doors close fine, just fyi if you can't find the KIA type.

jerryb · November 7th, 2009, 05:14 PM

Any pics?

Quote:

Originally Posted by palosfv3

1998 - 2003 Cavalier 2 door weatherstrips work very nicely. About $45.00 ea at you local Chevy dealer.

jerryb · November 7th, 2009, 05:15 PM

Any pics?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280Z-75

I installed acura integra weather strips (94-2001 integs) in my Z. My doors close fine, just fyi if you can't find the KIA type.

signal34 · November 9th, 2009, 07:33 PM

Pics would be great. I need to replace the weatherstripping on my 77 and if I can save some bucks in the process all the better.

bodywerx · November 12th, 2009, 09:35 AM

I stripped a 96 Maxima, and the weatherstripping is IDENTICAL for the doors.

I used all 4 doors, more than enough for my 240.

I also used a Saturn weatherstripping for the hatch, profile is very thick, but closes with a slam, and the hatch is still even with the body.

I will post some pics later today.

AlienJedi · November 12th, 2009, 11:35 AM

Anyone post pics of there setup?

RT Hunter · November 12th, 2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodywerx

I stripped a 96 Maxima, and the weatherstripping is IDENTICAL for the doors.

I used all 4 doors, more than enough for my 240.

I also used a Saturn weatherstripping for the hatch, profile is very thick, but closes with a slam, and the hatch is still even with the body.

I will post some pics later today.

What do you mean when you say you used all four doors? What did you do with the other 2 door weather stripping left over?

Also, I think this should be sticky, or at least have the 1st post updated with list of what works (and photos would be great).

bodywerx · November 13th, 2009, 06:06 AM

There is not enough with only 2 doors, you need at least 1.5 maxima doors to finish 1 side.

You do however have to adjust the door strikers to use this wheather stripping. I installed it yesterday.

palosfv3 · November 13th, 2009, 07:15 AM

2003 Cavalier

More pics at picasa link below signature.

Apex944 · November 13th, 2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodywerx

There is not enough with only 2 doors, you need at least 1.5 maxima doors to finish 1 side.

You do however have to adjust the door strikers to use this wheather stripping. I installed it yesterday.

I had the same problem when I found some weatherstripping from a Kia Spectra the other day, was only about 1 foot short. I went with the Kia Spectra due to the fact that the pick n pull I go to was merged with the domestic pick n pull, and of course they did not have any Kia Sportage's...

The upper corner by the quarter glass fits perfect and it all slides on like it belongs there.

I only had to move the strikers out just a tiny bit to re-align the door latch to the striker, the door closes alot more firm and solid now than it ever did before. Less 'metallic noise' when closing the doors like it had with the old weatherstriping.

I'll see if I can upload some pictures of it's fitment later on tonight...

JeffGarcia77 · November 13th, 2009, 04:15 PM

How much are junkyards asking for these (Kia, Maxima, Integra, etc.) used door seals? I realize it will vary, depending on the yard, from giving them away to charging "book" price.

Thanks

September 20th, 2009, 09:19 PM	#1
malus_rex Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lynchburg, VA/ Laurel, MD Posts: 7	New weatherstrip alternative So in the never ending quest to find cheaper and cheaper methods of improving my Z, I ran across a weatherstrip which can be easily found in the junk yard in good condition which matches the inner door seal on Z coupes almost perfectly. I pulled it from a first generation (1993-2002) Kia Sportage (didn't check the exact year). It has the correct cross-section and is almost exactly the same size as the stock weatherstrip. It is also much softer and more pliable than the precision kit's version, which I expect will alleviate the difficulties getting the door to close. I was able to pull it from the Kia easily without tearing simply using a flat blade screwdriver to guide it. The only trimming needed is to cut about 6" off since the Kia doors are bigger. The new strip has a molded corner which I lined up with the 90 degree curve at the front of the door. I've yet to reinstall my doors, but once I do I'll post the results here. I don't anticipate any problems.

November 7th, 2009, 09:26 AM	#8
DavyZ Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 5,118	I bought some weatherstrip from McMaster Carr, but I would love some strip that had more pliability to it. This Kia Sportage door weatherstrip sounds very promising. I'll have to pull some when I go to the JY. Davy __________________ Remind me again...is the object of all of this just to collect parts, or to actually install them at some point...?

November 7th, 2009, 11:32 AM	#9
palosfv3 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 109	1998 - 2003 Cavalier 2 door weatherstrips work very nicely. About $45.00 ea at you local Chevy dealer. __________________ Larry 1957 Facel Vega FV4 available http://picasaweb.google.com/wgmauto http://www.wgmauto.com/

November 7th, 2009, 04:33 PM	#10
280Z-75 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 43	integra weather strip I installed acura integra weather strips (94-2001 integs) in my Z. My doors close fine, just fyi if you can't find the KIA type. __________________ 1975 280z so clean, so nice.

November 9th, 2009, 07:33 PM	#13
signal34 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 41	Pics would be great. I need to replace the weatherstripping on my 77 and if I can save some bucks in the process all the better. __________________ 2004 350Z Roadster 1981 280ZXT 1977 280Z 1978 280Z Parts Car 1978 280Z 2+2 Parts Car(Well, at least most of one in various plastic baggies) We are the people our parents warned us about

September 20th, 2009, 11:45 PM	#2
lumberjackj Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 35	sounds like a good alternative! Now, I wonder if we can find a source online for these cheap?

November 1st, 2009, 03:05 PM	#3
Wedge Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alma,Québec,Canada Posts: 223	updates ?

November 2nd, 2009, 04:44 PM	#4
malus_rex Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lynchburg, VA/ Laurel, MD Posts: 7	Real life has delayed the progress on my Z, so I still haven't reinstalled the doors. Once I do I'll update the thread, but it may be a while.

November 2nd, 2009, 05:23 PM	#5
JeffGarcia77 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Santa Clara, New Mexico Posts: 63	Real life? Zs ARE real life. Good find there, Malus. Good research.

November 2nd, 2009, 08:05 PM	#6
srbigbutt Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 136	I got to remember this when I go to the Junk Yard again.

November 6th, 2009, 11:04 PM	#7
az240z Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 28	me too

November 12th, 2009, 09:35 AM	#14
bodywerx Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kanata, Ontario Canada Posts: 12	I stripped a 96 Maxima, and the weatherstripping is IDENTICAL for the doors. I used all 4 doors, more than enough for my 240. I also used a Saturn weatherstripping for the hatch, profile is very thick, but closes with a slam, and the hatch is still even with the body. I will post some pics later today. __________________ Bodywerx Dave Jones 71 240Z HPI Cup Racer (RC) 240Z

November 12th, 2009, 11:35 AM	#15
AlienJedi Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 18	Anyone post pics of there setup?

November 13th, 2009, 06:06 AM	#17
bodywerx Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kanata, Ontario Canada Posts: 12	There is not enough with only 2 doors, you need at least 1.5 maxima doors to finish 1 side. You do however have to adjust the door strikers to use this wheather stripping. I installed it yesterday. __________________ Bodywerx Dave Jones 71 240Z HPI Cup Racer (RC) 240Z

November 13th, 2009, 04:15 PM	#20
JeffGarcia77 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Santa Clara, New Mexico Posts: 63	How much are junkyards asking for these (Kia, Maxima, Integra, etc.) used door seals? I realize it will vary, depending on the yard, from giving them away to charging "book" price. Thanks

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