Rear Liftgate Top Trim

[Cdrum]

Hi Folks! Happy almost Christmas! Way back in August I prepped our 2002 GMC Envoy for my son to take to Rochester, NY while he's attending university. The truck has been great -- and earlier this week I flew up to co-drive back with him. When he picked me up for our ride, he described a 'crackling' sound from the rear. Upon quick inspection, I discovered the upper black plastic trim over the rear liftgate was cracking apart and likely to further disintegrate in our 300+ mile return trip. I effected some parking lot adjustments (ripping it off) so we could proceed on our merry way. Now that we're home for the holidays, I'm trying to figure out next steps --

1) How to find the part -- appears to be part # 19120563 but locating it new is stupid expensive. Finding used ---well I'm not able to find the part.

2) It kind of looks like a mess to replace, anyone done this before?

I'll post photos tomorrow.

Cheers!

 

[mrrsm]

It's more complicated than one might think back there because of the Dual Hinges for both the Lift Gate ...and the Rear Window. However, THIS Dude performed a Very Clever Repair and between whatever HE does below and the very excellent Diagram attached here as well... and some thoughtful use of JB-Weld Products suitable to the situation you find... there is NO Doubt that you and your Son will sort things out here:

For Folks who don't LIVE there... A Lil' Bit Of Trivia about the City of Rochester... Originally the Home of the Eastman-Kodak Company...(I once worked the Homicide of one of their Retirees down here in Florida... he died in my arms after my efforts as the First Responder to arrive and provide CPR... failed to revive him.) AND... it is the home of the Famous Swedish Composer, Howard Hansen, Conductor for the Rochester New York Symphony and The Man who provided the incidental End of Movie Music for "The Alien" " ...his Symphony #2...The Romantique... it goes something like THIS:

 

[Mooseman]

It's a little different than in that video. The third brake light and plastic trim (6) are one piece and is also attached to the hinge as well as having two screws and double sided tape on the bottom of it. The screw inserts in the trim will likely break the standoffs they're in and you have to use a scraper to peel the tape off.

Probably the only way to find one is used in a pick-n-pull yard and take it off yourself. I'm pretty sure they're NLA from the dealer.

In all snow regions, you MUST clean off all snow and ice from that area as that is what breaks that plastic trim piece. Someone once said that if you ever find one in a yard to take it even if you don't need it as eventually you will need it. I have been pretty religious in cleaning it.

 

[Cdrum]

Thanks all for the input. Like the first video @mrrsm posted, 10-15 years ago I had the hinge separate from the glass. I repaired it at the time one truck using a glass adhesive, and it has seemed to hold up over the years. GTK that you can used JB Weld too. IIRC, the tube of glass adhesive was quite pricey.

As you can see from the photos I updated my original post with, it has really shattered. I have probably most of the pieces. And as @Mooseman suggested, I bet it was snow/ice that started the fracturing. It's going to take me a while to find one in a pick'n pull. So I'm thinking I might try to repair in place with the broken pieces. Is there any adhesive membrane I could use - maybe self-adhesive window/roof flashing? How necessary is this piece of trim?

 

[Blckshdw]

You can always try searching car-part.com and maybe track it down at a junk yard reasonably close in your area.

 

[mrrsm]

Is THIS the full assembly you are seeking? This one is offered over on eBay for $26.24:

BLACK/SMOKE LENS 3RD THIRD LED REAR BRAKE TAIL LIGHT FIT 02-09 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY | eBay

<li> COMPATIBILITY:</li> <li> <ul> <li>2004 - 2007 Buick Rainer</li> <li>2002 - 2009 Chevy Trailblazer</li> <li>2002 - 2006 Chevy Trailblazer EXT</li> <li>2002 - 2009 GMC Envoy</li> <li>2002 - 2006 GMC Envoy XL</li> <li>2003 - 2008 Isuzu Ascender</li> <li>2002 - 2004...

www.ebay.com

...and for others in need of the Glass Unit... The Link and some More Images:

Envoy Ranier Trailblazer Bravada GM rear hatch window back glass 15292872 | eBay

GM 15292872 Rear Hatch Window without Rear Defogger. 2004-2007 Buick Ranier. 2002-2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. 2003-2009 GMC Envoy.

www.ebay.com

 

[Cdrum]

@mrrsm - unfortunately no, that's not the part. The glass and hinge assembly are fine. There is a plastic trim piece that is screwed on one side and taped on the bottom. It holds the rear brake light.

I removed the shattered remains, and have a good idea of how to get one off at a junkyard. The double-stick tape though presents a problem - no clear way to separate without breaking. Welcome any ideas.

 

[azswiss]

The double-stick tape though presents a problem - no clear way to separate without breaking. Welcome any ideas.

Acetone, a flexible razor blade, and a lot of patience. Maybe a splash of penetrant (e.g. PBlaster) as well.

 

[Blckshdw]

I've also heard you can try dental floss or fishing line, although I've never tried it myself.

 

[Mooseman]

If you do get one at a pick-n-pull, make sure you get one that's the same as yours. SWB and LWB and different. Yours seems to be SWB.

 

[mrrsm]

Another related On Topic Thread... Check out the Diagrams added in Post #8 by @Blckshdw :

Hi mount third brake light panel/ lift gate upper molding

Hello I'm trying to confirm a part number for the upper lift gate panel. The problem I'm having is which panel to choose. My problem is that the original neon brake light in my 2002 trailblazer LS burnt out so I replaced it with the only available option, the led light. I was told that I...

gmtnation.com

 

[Cdrum]

Another relat

Hi Folks! Happy almost Christmas! Way back in August I prepped our 2002 GMC Envoy for my son to take to Rochester, NY while he's attending university. The truck has been great -- and earlier this week I flew up to co-drive back with him. When he picked me up for our ride, he described a 'crackling' sound from the rear. Upon quick inspection, I discovered the upper black plastic trim over the rear liftgate was cracking apart and likely to further disintegrate in our 300+ mile return trip. I effected some parking lot adjustments (ripping it off) so we could proceed on our merry way. Now that we're home for the holidays, I'm trying to figure out next steps --

1) How to find the part -- appears to be part # 19120563 but locating it new is stupid expensive. Finding used ---well I'm not able to find the part.

2) It kind of looks like a mess to replace, anyone done this before?

I'll post photos tomorrow.

Cheers!

View attachment 110802
View attachment 110803

ed On Topic Thread... Check out the Diagrams added in Post #8 by @Blckshdw :

Hi mount third brake light panel/ lift gate upper molding

Hello I'm trying to confirm a part number for the upper lift gate panel. The problem I'm having is which panel to choose. My problem is that the original neon brake light in my 2002 trailblazer LS burnt out so I replaced it with the only available option, the led light. I was told that I...

gmtnation.com

My son says I'm a little psychotic since I decided to repair it! Here's what I did:

* acquired a plastic welding kit and some Bondo
* tacked everything with super-glue & baking soda
* melted metal stitches into the cracks
* went back and used ABS filter rod to fill in gaps (1 was quite large, about 1 x 5 inches long)
* used the Bondo to fill the uneven parts
* sand, prime, fill, repeat
* will top with black lacquer

Not my best work, but I think it'll do - not pictures of the final results yet, but this will give you the gist.

Frankentrim:



Stitches:


Filling the missing pieces:



The first coat of Bondo:

 

[Cdrum]

final outcome -- instead of painting, I used automotive vinyl wrap. My first time using wrap, so I have a bubble I wasn't able to get out... but good enough. This is close to a factory finish.