So basically I want to remove the bottom window trim also known as the Belt Weatherstrip/Molding.

In case anyone is wondering the belt weatherstrips are the trim pieces at the bottom of each window. I have an XLT with black weatherstrips, however I want to swap them for the chrome strips that come on the higher-end trucks.

I'm trying to replace all four of the moldings, one from each door, I already have the parts, purchased them directly from the dealer (F $120x2/ R $110x2), however the dealer quoted me $600 to install the new ones, I probably wouldn't mind paying for this except they need to have the truck in their shop for two/three days and that's not possible for me at the moment.

So...

From the looks of it, the weatherstrips only have one screw/pin and the rest of it looks like it attaches by snapping on with the clips attached to each trim piece, But I have no idea how to take the old ones off... Any help?

Does anyone have any idea how to remove the current ones and install the new ones?

 

So nobody? I guess I'll try and figure it out tomorrow then.

 

In case anyone wants to know in the future.

So I figured it out myself, not hard at all. Takes less than 20 minutes to do all four doors.

Basically the trim pieces have one screw and a couple of snap on clips. To take off the old ones, you first take off the screw located at the side of the door. For the front windows the screw is located on the side of the door near the door handle. For the rear windows the screws are located on the side of the door where the hinge is rather than the side near the door handle.

once you unscrew them, you can just get a trim tool and wedge it in there and just pull them up. Some may be harder to pull off than others, and others may not even need a trim tool at all, you might just be able to pull them off with your hands by pulling up hard.

If you plan on using them in the future I suggest using a trim tool and carefully taking them off, I broke two of them in the process, snapping them at their thinnest point. For me it didn't matter since I'm never using them again.

Another suggesting is to make sure you have it snapped in properly, so the felt or rubber doesn't rub up against the window causing friction and noise.

It's crazy that the dealer wanted $600 and two days in the shop for something that can be done in 10-15 minutes if you know what you're doing.

Here's a comparison after doing the first one.

 

Wow expensive mod. Glad you were able to do it yourself. $600 what a ripoff. Was the price you listed for each or a pair? Looks good

 

Hope you enjoy them. Putco makes them for $ 93.00 . Even cheeper at auto truck & toys $ 80.00 for all four pieces. And they are fantastic looking. And you don't have to remove the trim.

 

Yeah each part is sold separately, the front ones are $120 each and the rear are $110 each. So total $460 for all four parts. Not too expensive if you only have to replace a single part as a repair but yeah quite pricey to swap them all.


Yeah I thought about it, but then in the end I decided to go with the factory looking option. And actually removing the trim was incredibly easy.

 

Good idea doing that yourself!! And here I am thinking of removing the chrome ones on my Platinum, lol.

 

Any chance of removing them unharmed and in reusable condition? I might be interested in buying them from you if you do decide to go down that road.

 

Cool

 

Right. I'd opt for less chrome, not more of it.