Lower trim, on an early car. No side trims.

Someone must have decided that the side trims do a better job.

I have an 03 and don't have those side trims....i removed the lower trim mould for painting a Pita to remove.  2003 RR L322 4.4 ltr Auto Zambezi silver Custom paint

Basic question - is removing them as simple as gently (with some force!) pulling them away from the glass? Guess it’s a compression fit and no glue was used?

Interesting.... my 08MY doesn't have the side trims or lower finisher - even though it still has the original glazing.
The replacement tailgate of a later vintage had the side trims (corroded) and no lower trim - I now know why!

I'm in two three minds - fit the lower finisher - the gap looks odd, but will the finisher trap water? - maybe that's why it was no longer fitted.

Fit the side trims, as nature intended - which will eventually corrode.....

Fit neither, as it currently is - as I've put dog gates in there, water ingress onto the loadspace cover isn't an issue, and I've not noticed any particular issues with water run-off into the boot...

I'd like to keep it as close to the original build as is reasonable (ignoring the L405 wheels, DAB radio etc.), maybe not fit any - I've got used to the look of the tailgate and adding anything when I fit the 'new' one will just look odd.
Any thoughts?

I am quite OEM focused (I even change stereos back to the originals and source original dealer stickers which is a bit nerdy I know). There’s a few things I’m sorting out at the rear so I thought I would just get it done, I guess they must do something other than rot after 2 years!

Incase you go for them here’s the cheapest oem versions I found - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255571653471?mk...media=COPY

I agree that the gap looks odd, having looked at the pic of the TD6 I had, above… I wouldn’t bother with the sides then unless you desperately want them on. I vote for leaving as is or fitting the lower trim. Don’t think it traps any more water than without. It’s a tight fit…

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I agree, the sides look 'add-on' the lower finisher looks 'right' I have the luxury of a freshly repainted bare tailgate to fit so I think I'll be going with the lower finisher but with a metric f*ckton of Sikaflex behind it. Not right for the MY but it'll 'look' right - except to the spotters!

Part of my thinking of replacing them is I have a suspicion that the edges of the glass have deteriorated / the laminate has started to separate and go a lighter colour. I maybe wrong. I think a new pair fitted correctly should not catch the eye too much (especially as my car is black) but agree the lower section that was never on my 09MY looks like it was meant to be there. Probably because in the original design it was…

I removed the lower trim because it was breaking up. I lubed it with dishwashing liquid and tapped it sideways enough to get a good hand grip and then pulled it out. (Tapped with a block of wood between the hammer and the trim to avoid hitting the glass.) Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Thanks for the advice, seems a sensible way of doing it. What was the condition of the glass edge when it came off for you?

Interesting, my car doesn’t have the side strips on the tailgate glass and never had a problem with rain dropping in the car when the tailgate is opened.
Must be down to the fact l regularly dose the rear glass with Rain X so that there is minimal water on the tailgate.
No water, no drips.
I think it is called lateral thinking.

Well that wasn’t difficult, they almost just slid off! Bit of sandy residue to clean / chip off.

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While I was messing about with the rear of car today I thought I’d paint the rusty toe hook matt black, kept catching my eye, again with a black car made sense to sort it out.

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What model RR do you have and how come so rusty?....asking for a friend  2003 RR L322 4.4 ltr Auto Zambezi silver Custom paint

2009 3.6 TDV8. The car has no rust. But this tailgate bolt has! Reckon the rubber boot could end up being a water bowl at a guess, which would be ironic as it’s probably there to stop it getting wet. That or it’s a crap pattern part. As far as the toe hooks, not sure I have ever seen one that isn’t rusty!