Toyota Tacoma: How to Replace Windshield Molding

Is your windshield trim getting rusty or just downright tired looking? This article will show you how to replace it and get your truck looking a lot nicer in the process.

By Brett Foote - January 26, 2016

This article applies to the Toyota Tacoma (1996-2015).

Toyota owners know the struggle of shoddy factory windshield trim, those nasty metal pieces that tend to rust and lead to leaks over a period of time. It's a big reason why pretty much every new vehicle has rubber windshield trim, which provides a much tighter seal and doesn't rust. Some enterprising Tacoma owners have figured out a way to easily convert their metal trim to rubber, and it's a relatively easy job that could save you from major problems down the road. Keep reading and we'll walk you through the process.

Toyota Tacoma How to Replace Windshield Molding

Materials Needed

Flat head screwdriver or chisel
1/2" weatherstripping
Rubber sealant
Black vinyl baseboard trim
Exterior adhesive
Extra windshield trim mounting clips
Masking tape

Step 1 – Remove the old metal trim

Using a flat head screwdriver or other flat tool, pry the old metal trim from around the windshield and pull it off. The trim is held in place by little plastic clips, so you'll want to remove them as well. More than likely you will break a few of these clips, hence why we recommend buying a half dozen spares; call it cheap insurance. At this point you can simply push in a new set of metal trim if you so desire. If you have rust underneath the trim (which is quite likely), you'll probably want to go ahead and sand it down and spray it with a rust inhibitor to keep it from spreading further before installing new trim.

Toyota Tacoma replacing windshield mold trim — Figure 1. Remove the old metal windshield trim.

Step 2 – Install new trim

Once your surface is prepped and clean, install a length of 1/2" weatherstripping in the groove between the windshield and body. Use a rubber sealant to fill in the gaps on each side of the weatherstripping, which will also serve to hold it in place and provide a waterproof seal. Install the black vinyl baseboard trim over top of the weatherstripping, cutting to length. Once you have the trim measured and test fitted, use a good exterior adhesive to glue it into place. It's a good idea to use masking tape to hold the trim in place until it dries. Once dried, remove the tape and you're done!

Figure 2. Place weatherstripping in place and use sealant to fill the gap.
Figure 3. Cut trim to fit and hold it in place with tape until it dries.
Figure 4. The finished product is more durable than the original trim and won't rot.