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Rear Quarter Window Latch Fix

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Rusty White Taco, May 25, 2011.

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  1. May 25, 2011 at 7:56 AM
    #1
    Rusty White Taco

    #1
    Rusty White Taco [OP] Active Member

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    Debadged, Front 5100s at 2.5, 1" rear shackle lift, 5125s in the rear, trimmed exhaust pipe
    As many 1st gen xtra cab owners have, I have had issues with the rear quarter window latch. The plastic arm is not terribly strong and tends to break, and one of mine was broken. I couldn't bring myself to spend $30 to buy the factory replacement because there's nothing that tells me the new one won't break too.

    So, I looked for a more permanent solution, and came across someone who makes a billet replacement. Unfortunately, the guy did not return my calls (despite the fact that he's local to me and I offered to bring cash whenever it was convenient for him). He has a website with a store, but if he won't return calls, there's no way I'm going to provide him with my credit card. That aside, there were reports that his part didn't always work well, so that was further motivation to stay away from him. Here's a thread about the billet replacement and the guy: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/103220-access-cab-1-4-glass.html

    Anyway, with the above in mind, I set out to make a replacement part out of steel. Here's what I did:

    Took a piece of scrap steel I had in the garage (1 1/4" x 1/8") and cut it to length. Unfortunately, I only had 1/8" steel and the original plastic arm is 3/8", but I went for it anyway (hoping that 1/8" would work):
    [​IMG]

    Took the broken arm and traced around it to set the general shape:
    [​IMG]

    Cut, grinded, and filed the steel until it matched the original and then drilled two 11/64" holes for the pins (I didn't take pictures of the refining of the shape because I wasn't terribly confident it would actually work):
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Painted it:
    [​IMG]

    Test fit it:
    [​IMG]

    Installed it:
    [​IMG]

    It worked the first time. It was a perfect fit.

    I just thought I'd share a solution that can be accomplished with about $0.25 in parts (steel) and some elbow grease...
     
    Rusty White Taco, May 25, 2011
    #1
  2. May 25, 2011 at 8:20 AM
    #2
    ERIC

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    ERIC Well-Known Member

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    nicee i might have to check that out one of mine broke too!
     
    ERIC, May 25, 2011
    #2
  3. May 25, 2011 at 8:39 AM
    #3
    Southern01Taco

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    Southern01Taco Well-Known Member

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    Nice fix. I wish I would have thought about doing this. I bought the billet ones and they work pretty good. I had to bend the piece attached to the cab a little so the window would close tight, but I haven't had any problems since.
     
    Southern01Taco, May 25, 2011
    #3
  4. May 25, 2011 at 9:13 AM
    #4
    twfsa

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    twfsa Well-Known Member

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    Yeah I bought the aluminum ones that you refered to and I also e mailed the guy to tell him they were shit and never got a return e mail, I don't use the quarter glass windows but if I were to replace a broken latch I would go back to the OEM.
     
    twfsa, May 25, 2011
    #4
  5. May 25, 2011 at 2:32 PM
    #5
    shitroc

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    shitroc Master of War

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    Nice write up, mine have been busted for years. I've never bothered to fix em since I never use those windows but if I ever do get around to it this is how ill do it for sure.
     
    shitroc, May 25, 2011
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  6. May 25, 2011 at 7:38 PM
    #6
    pittim

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    pittim mittip backwards

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    very nice! i broke mine whenever i leaned my truck into a tree...I'll definitely have to do this.

    You could always make 3 of em if you want it to fill out the space.
     
    pittim, May 25, 2011
    #6
  7. May 26, 2011 at 11:22 AM
    #7
    Rusty White Taco

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    Rusty White Taco [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks! Yeah, I had originally planned to make 3 of them, then tack weld them together, but based on the fact that it works fine with just one and the fact that it was not easy to refine the shape of one, let alone 3, I am just going to leave well enough alone. I may fill in the extra space with a 1/4" spacer of some sort if/when I'm bored and feel the need to mess with the rig...
     
    Rusty White Taco, May 26, 2011
    #7
  8. May 28, 2011 at 12:49 AM
    #8
    sirsaechao

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    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    sirsaechao, May 28, 2011
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  9. May 28, 2011 at 9:13 AM
    #9
    Rusty White Taco

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    Rusty White Taco [OP] Active Member

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    Rusty White Taco, May 28, 2011
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  10. Jun 1, 2011 at 10:43 AM
    #10
    Sign Guy

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    Sign Guy Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that tip. I'm gonna make one for mine now. I was pretty ticked when I opened up the window and couldn't close it because of that part. I think I'm also missing a pin that I can probably get at a hardware store too.
     
    Sign Guy, Jun 1, 2011
    #10
  11. Jul 29, 2018 at 2:38 PM
    #11
    xguntherc

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    xguntherc Taco Time

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    Hey.. which area did you bend to get the latch to stay shut? I bought the bikebi replacements too. One constantly opens and drives me nuts... You mean the only metal attached to the can/truck ?and which way did you bend it.

    Thanks
     
    xguntherc, Jul 29, 2018
    #11
  12. Jul 31, 2018 at 9:36 PM
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    Tacomasapien

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    Tacomasapien New Member

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    Cory, this is apparently an old thread and I don't know if you'll get reply from the previous posters. I am having the same problem as you. I replaced my billet swivels but the latches still work their way open. I also read the 'bending' idea and will try it out and let you know. If you've already tried it, please let me know which way you bent it asap (on this thread) before I try it. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2018
    Tacomasapien, Jul 31, 2018
    #12
  13. Aug 2, 2018 at 8:07 PM
    #13
    Tacomasapien

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    Tacomasapien New Member

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    Okay, Cory or anyone interested. If your latch won't stay closed or constantly works it's way open, the fix is easy as hell: With the latch opened, from the inside of your Taco, grab the black bracket with you finger and carefully bend in inward (see photo). Just do a little at a time, so you don't go too far. Good luck!



    DSC01098.jpg
     
    Tacomasapien, Aug 2, 2018
    #13
    Taco_Mayhem and frizzman like this.
  14. Jan 9, 2019 at 12:10 PM
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    Taco_Mayhem

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    Taco_Mayhem, Jan 9, 2019
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  15. Jan 9, 2019 at 2:44 PM
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    kgw

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    kgw Well-Known Member

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    kgw, Jan 9, 2019
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  16. Jan 9, 2019 at 3:52 PM
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    eimkeith

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    eimkeith Well-Known Member

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    eimkeith, Jan 9, 2019
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  17. Jan 9, 2019 at 4:01 PM
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    se7enine

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    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    se7enine, Jan 9, 2019
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  18. Jan 9, 2019 at 4:02 PM
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    eimkeith

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    eimkeith Well-Known Member

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    eimkeith, Jan 9, 2019
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  19. Jan 10, 2019 at 11:53 AM
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    TWJLee

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    TWJLee Well-Known Member

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    TWJLee, Jan 10, 2019
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  20. Jan 11, 2019 at 12:48 PM
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    otis24

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    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    I kinda like that mine broke because I can fit the mag mount for my ham radio antenna through the open window now.

    I'll probably replicate this when I upgrade my antenna.
     
    otis24, Jan 11, 2019
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