Power rear window mod for $50!

Definitely interested in pics

 

Stumbled across post #42 on this thread from 2010 by @Engineerlt and plan to use it as a basis for this weekend's install.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/converting-sliding-rear-window-to-power.64816/

 

After monkeying with it for an hour, my quick take-home is this actuator is a good find. I ordered the linked one, rated at 1000N, but figured for the low cost it may be weak. In brief, when connected to 12V if you hold each end and try to fight it, the speed may slightly change but it keeps going no problem. When driving this side window, it draws around 16W at 12V.

I did some quick Cardboard Aided Design then upscaled the fitment part to 1/2" thick red oak for quick testing. The actuator takes ~15 sec to open or close, and is strong enough that I don't need to remove the little plastic latch that is supposed to keep the window closed, the motor just pops it open without changing pitch much.

Overall I think this motor is a good value and I just ordered up a 2nd one for the other side. I'll transfer the cardboard profile to aluminum plate when the 2nd actuator arrives, which may be less stylish than oak but should become permanent at that level of time investment.

Edit: Now that I think about it, one of the most useful benefits of this is that the shell windows can now be left open a couple inches and they cannot be be forced open further by a human outside the vehicle unless they were to break the window. That is a huge benefit for the summer when parking in the sun.

Video link:
https://imgur.com/a/Z6wTer9

 

I did the install today and it took me about 6 hours to complete. It is a tight fit behind the seats, especially since I have wet Okals on the rear seats. I didn't take pictures but I could if anyone thinks it might help.
I made a bracket for the stationary end to mount to and I used mirror double sided tape to fasten the other end to the glass.

I mounted the switch just left of the single cup holder rear of the shifter, in front of the center console.

I used a couple little rubber bumpers under the latch release lever to keep it from engaging the latch.

 

here's a couple of photo's from my install. You can see how I modified the two brackets that came with the actuator and where I used the grinder on the extending shaft to angle it and the bracket to keep them from ripping or grabbing my set covers, because it makes contact on the back of the seat as it pushed the window open.
IMG_0260 by Tim Richard, on Flickr
IMG_0261 by Tim Richard, on Flickr

 

Thanks for the pics! Why six hours? Curious what part took so long

 

idk, maybe I measured and remeasured everything too many times. At first I didn't think the actuator was even going to fit behind the seats, and then figuring out how to anchor it with what I had on had, and then a run into town for wire, double sided tape etc. And then I decided to fish the wire under the mat infront of the front seat to the console, which was a bit frustrating.
As has been said the actuator is noisy and slow, but having a rear window that I can open at the push of a button is worth it.

 

Wired mine up today. Will not work. Im wondering if its because Im running a 20A inline fuse from battery and actuator is rated for 3A max? How are guys getting power to it?

 

The 20A fuse should not affect operation if the fuse is working correctly. The motor wiring is super simple. Use one polarity orientation with the black and red wires, and it should move one direction and stop at the limit switch. Then reverse the wires and it should move the opposite direction and stop at the limit switch on that side.

Maybe try holding the power leads directly on a +12V source that gives at least a couple Amps and if nothing happens something is wrong with the actuator. Sounds like you already checked the inline fuse.

 

When putting actuator wires straight to 12V battery, or reversing wires on battery, nothing happens. Sucks to get a bad actuator out of the box I guess. FML

 

Yea, that sucks. Sorry bud. Mine works great

 

I guess that's one benefit to having an access cab I can just reach back there with my arm and slide the window open open no issues whatsoever but then again, @ 5'7" I do have over a 6' arm span..