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what is that thing??

6K views 14 replies 13 participants last post by  jeepnpr 
#1 ·
Can anyone tell me what the big black box hanging on my back window of my hardtop is? I have a 2011 sport. I am assuming it has something to to with the rear-defrosting or the wiper, but it seems ridiculously huge and blocks out most of my view in the rearview. Ugh. I did the mod-thingy by turning my rearview mirro upside down, which helped, but that box is hideous. (I must be google search-impaired, because someone else must have asked this before, but I'm not getting any hits.) :redface:
Thanks for not laughing at me too much for this one.
 
#8 ·
Wait, are you talking about removing the motor or the plastic cover?

I don't have a hard top, but my dad does and that thing is absurdly sized. He'd be down for removing the cover if it would enhance visibility, but he's going to want to retain the functionality of the wiper.
 
#10 ·
See I keep my rear wiper for the simple use I found it has in defensive driving. You ever drive on a freeway (or anywhere for that matter) and notice a jerk tailgating you in what may be a nice car that they assume needs to go 15+ over the limit? Well I flip on the water for the washer back there (I alternate with the front) and spray their little delicate cat with water spots. They tend to back off after that. Almost never fails! :p
 
#14 ·
Haha yes! If you have a soft top on the windshield washer still shoots over the roof and onto the car behind you so you can get em either way XD.
 
#11 ·
I took the motor cover off on my old TJ and continued to run the rear wiper with no problems. I don't know, but I would guess you could do the same of the JK. I've been thinking about doing it myself on mine. I wouldn't want to take the motor and wiper off though-I find them quite useful. Visibility is bad enough back there without allowing road grime to build up.
 
#12 ·
After four years of having the black box in my rear-view mirror, I have just learned to ignore it. I like the functionality of the rear wiper and would not consider removing it.
 
#13 ·
Yes, you could remove the box and wiper motor, BUT isn't the black shading (like the trim on the windshield) on the glass itself around that area? Can't get to mine right now to check but I think the removing the wiper will still leave the black area.
 
#15 ·
Checked my back window on my Rubi and yes the black outline is the same as on windshield, so even removing box & wiper motor will still leave the outline.
 
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