rear window replacement

I recently replaced the rear window in my 2009 Tacoma. An unsecured load slid forward when I hit the brakes and broke the passenger side glass panel. Mine has the slider window. I had to modify the replacement window I got from a junkyard and I thought other guys may run into the same problem.

The rear window is one complete assembly. You can put a piece of glass on just the side that is broken but I didn't want to do that. The replacement glass glues on top of the remains of the broken original glass where it meets the window frame. A new factory complete rear window is about $450, aftermarket $250. I got one out of a junkyard for $75.

To take my broken window out I worked from inside the cab. I removed the plastic trim and loosened the headliner. Using a oscillating tool with a scraper blade on it I cut the gasket around the perimeter of the window frame where it joins the metal cab body. There are 2 bolts on the bottom 2 corners of the window. On the top 2 corners there are plastic tabs instead of bolts.

The window I got from the junkyard had been hacked out of the vehicle with a sawsall so the guy cut the 2 plastic tabs on the top corners. What I did was drill a hole in the plastic where the tabs were and screw in some metal studs. Then use a nut and washer to hold the stud to the attachment point on the cab. I feel with a metal bolt at all 4 corners the window is more secure that it was when it came from the factory. I could not find a window at a u pull it junkyard so I don't know if it is possible to get the window out without breaking those 2 plastic tabs.

Once the old window is out, clean up the remains of the original gasket on the cab with a razor, apply a nice thick bead of urethane to the surface of the window frame that meets the cab, and bolt the new window in place.

 

too bad you didn't take any pictures would be a good sticky for peeps in the future who are looking for a DIY rear window replacement. I do think the middle window is replacable? without much hassle.

 

I would have taken pics but my camera is not focusing right so getting good close ups isn't happening. The middle window is replaceable without taking the entire assembly out.