Many newer pickups have bigger cabs that allow for more passengers. Particularly on those cabs that have a rear seat, a sliding rear window is an option that will certainly meet with appreciation from backseat passengers. Most auto-glass shops can install these for you, but installing one yourself may be easier than you might imagine. Like sunroofs, sliding windows come in various styles, including power models that open using an electric switch, manual ones with double sliding doors and those with single sliding doors. In our demonstration, we installed a simple model with a single manual sliding door. This particular model installs on the vehicle in factory-drilled holes using studded nuts. Materials: Sliding-window installation kit
Socket wrench
Box-end wrench
Cordless drill
Torque wrench Putty knife
Trim-removing tool
Screwdrivers
Rubbing alcohol
Glue remover
Furniture pad or old blanket
Rags
Work gloves - For easier access to the window, and a more convenient work space, remove the front seats from the vehicle before you begin this project. Consult your owner's manual or vehicle service manual for the location of the retaining bolts and instructions on how to remove the seat.
- You'll also need to remove the rear-seat back. On our example vehicle the bolts holding the seat back in place were accessed by folding the rear seat bench forward. We also removed the seatbelts by lifting of the cover and removing the bolts that hold each seatbelt in place (figure A) as well as the plastic trim panels surrounding the rear window.
- With the seat back, seatbelts and trim panels removed (figure B) you can access the nuts that hold the rear windshield in place as well the side brackets (figure C) that secure the plastic trim. In our case there were a total of 12 nuts holding the glass in place. Take note of the orientation of the side brackets. You'll need to remove them, and you'll want to make sure they are later reinstalled in their original position.
- Carefully remove the window-mounting nuts (figure D). In some cases some of the nuts may be located beneath the edge of the headliner. It may be easier to remove those using a box-end wrench rather than a socket wrench. Use caution when accessing these nuts as headliners are easily damaged.
- Once you've removed all of the mounting nuts, use a putty knife to break the glass free from the weather seal that goes around the edges of the window. Carefully slide the blade of the putty knife behind the edge of the rear wall, and gently pry it away from the window to loosen the seal (figure E).
Tip: If you're doing this project alone, it will be helpful to break the seal first on the top and bottom edges of the window -- leaving the right- and left-side edges attached. Then move to the outside of the vehicle before breaking the seal on the side edges. This will make it easier to remove the glass while ensuring that it does not accidentally fall out and break. - Once you've broken the seal all the way around the window, very carefully work the window free, lift it out of the frame (figure F) and lay it aside. You may want to have an old blanket handy to lay the glass on. Since you are working with glass -- and to protect your hands from the sticky sealant -- wear work gloves during this part of the procedure.
- With the glass removed, remove the old sealant using your putty knife (figure G).
- Prep the window unit itself by cleaning around its frame with rubbing alcohol (figure H).
- After cleaning the surface thoroughly, press the new weather sealant on the window unit according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure I). Once it's applied all the way around, remove the paper backing from the sealant.
- Prepare the surface of the window pinch-weld to accept the new window by cleaning it with glue remover and following up with rubbing alcohol (figure J).
- Carefully position the new window in place, making certain that the studs on the window line up properly with the holes on the pinch-weld (figure K), and secure the window with the original hardware.
Important: To ensure a good seal, first finger-tighten all of the securing nuts, then go back and tighten them down in a crisscross pattern using a wrench. Tightening in this way, rather than going consecutively from one nut to the adjacent one, helps make sure that the seal forms evenly as the window is tightened into place. - Reverse prior procedures to reinstall the seat backing, trim, seatbelts, and front seats.
Important: To meet safety guidelines, the bolts securing seatbelts must be torqued to exact specifications when they are tightened down. Consult your owner's manual or vehicle service manual for the proper torque specs.
RESOURCES :
Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896
Vehicles provided by Lance Cunningham Ford
Vehicles provided by Lance Cunningham Ford
4101 Clinton Highway
Knoxville, TN
Web site: www.lancecunninghamford.com
Jackson Manufacturing, sunroof products
Special thanks to
Jackson Manufacturing
Manufacturers of sunroofs and other automotive ventilating glass products.
58038 C.R. 3 South
Elkhart, IN 46517
Phone: 219-293-7710
Web site: www.jacksonmfg.com
Manual sliding rear window for pickup
Tri-Vent® manual rear sliding window from
C. R. Laurence Automotive Products
2503 East Vernon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90058
Toll-free: 800-421-6144
Fax: 800-262-3299
Web site: www.crlaurence.com
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