As usual, every tool possible was needed, except a screwdriver which was the original installation mechanism. A 5/16" wrench with hammer on some of the screws, a vice grip and even a chisel were all necessary, not to mention the usual PB Blaster.
 |
| Before |
There was an antenna at each corner, as well as another above the driver's window. For now, tape covers the holes until I hear what's best for plugging them, something that will sand smoothly for the paint later.
 |
| After |
The left side already has the amber marker off for refurbishing. |
| Left side with two antennas removed |
One additional removal was the extra set of fog lights below the front bumber. Five non-OEM pieces now gone.
 |
| Two fog lamps, three antennas and hardware |
To get some more of the windows opened, it took PB Blaster at each of the three latches per window and a rubber mallet before and after to shake things up a bit - carefully! I'd alternate between prepping a window, letting it soak while I worked on another antenna screw, then back to open the window. They all did! Only the last two on both sides of the upper deck remain, because of tables or benches in place that prevent the latch bar from pulling out and up. So much for emergency escape windows! |
| Right side open .... |
 |
| Fresh air at last... |
Some of the windows, once freed for the first time in decades, would not close again. That's because the rubber seals, now hard as rocks, would hang down at the bottom of the window and, of course, that blocked the window from closing. I ended up rolling sticky tape in the slots, then pushing the hard seal pieces back up to get them shut. New seals are in the plan!
What a great three hours!! Slowly but surely we push on ....
