Rear Window ideas. Creative minds step inside

[Lethal Tendencies]

So I bought my truck with the rear window already like this. I don't particulary like the look. Need ideas on what to do with this. Would like some kind of slider or removeable rear window. The roof has a 5" chop . Thanks for any ideas.

[Peanut74]

Have you thought about a powered rear window? It would look cleaner than a slider and something you could roll down as your moving down the road.

If you want a crank style you can use one out of a Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
For power units you can use one out of a Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, or Chevy Avalanche

[sick472]

I like the idea of a removable rear window...mainly because that would be less difficult to design and fabricate. Not that a slider would be impossible, just more expensive. My first thought is to cut the panel out leaving an inch or so of lip left and drill holes around the perimeter of the lip, have a piece of glass cut and framed with stainless that has some threaded holes or studs around the perimeter so that it can be bolted or nutted in. There would need to be a gasket between the frame and the lip and that would make it seal AND be removable. You could also look into hinging the top and use old-school pop-out window clamps at the bottom to make in non-removable, yet allow it to be cracked open.

With my limited custom fab abilities...I'd leave this job to a professional. OR, just cut the hole out and have a piece of glass cut and installed with polyurethane goo (like modern windshields).

[geunther]

Originally Posted by Lethal Tendencies

So I bought my truck with the rear window already like this. I don't particulary like the look. Need ideas on what to do with this. Would like some kind of slider or removeable rear window. The roof has a 5" chop . Thanks for any ideas.

Somebody spent some time on that for certain. Wonder why it was backwards, so it looked correct in the rear view?

X2 on the powered sliders. Not that you cant reach right behind you but they usually have cleaner lines. I think they have them that move horizontally so not sure if that means less mods.

[SkidmoreGarage]

This may be one of those situations where it's more work to change it than you might expect and the current look is based on a compromise. I'd really investigate the previous work before I started cutting. You may find a lot of creative problem solving that resulted in the current design. If hate to give advice that resulted in taking a running and driving truck off the road for 5 years.

If I had to fix it, I would look into flush mounting a rear window using adhesive. It's a flat piece of glass, so it shouldn't be difficult to get. It would also make use of that existing frame/flange for bonding. Just paint the window edge black and bond it in. Finishing the inside would be more difficult.

[Lethal Tendencies]

Originally Posted by sick472

I like the idea of a removable rear window...mainly because that would be less difficult to design and fabricate. Not that a slider would be impossible, just more expensive. My first thought is to cut the panel out leaving an inch or so of lip left and drill holes around the perimeter of the lip, have a piece of glass cut and framed with stainless that has some threaded holes or studs around the perimeter so that it can be bolted or nutted in. There would need to be a gasket between the frame and the lip and that would make it seal AND be removable. You could also look into hinging the top and use old-school pop-out window clamps at the bottom to make in non-removable, yet allow it to be cracked open.

With my limited custom fab abilities...I'd leave this job to a professional. OR, just cut the hole out and have a piece of glass cut and installed with polyurethane goo (like modern windshields).

Kinda like the hinge idea. Reminds me of the aftermarket sunroofs they used to install on cars in the 80s. I remember having one of those installed on a car it popped up and was removeable.

[Lethal Tendencies]

Originally Posted by SkidmoreGarage

This may be one of those situations where it's more work to change it than you might expect and the current look is based on a compromise. I'd really investigate the previous work before I started cutting. You may find a lot of creative problem solving that resulted in the current design. If hate to give advice that resulted in taking a running and driving truck off the road for 5 years.

If I had to fix it, I would look into flush mounting a rear window using adhesive. It's a flat piece of glass, so it shouldn't be difficult to get. It would also make use of that existing frame/flange for bonding. Just paint the window edge black and bond it in. Finishing the inside would be more difficult.

I agree with the amount of work. I think if the logo was reversed I may be more willing to live with the idea.

[Caddylackn]

Well, I think this customization was done so that the previous owner could drink beer in the cab without fear of being pulled over by somebody following him .

The emblem was reversed so it appeared correct while driving and he/she was looking in the rear view mirror. Looks pretty lame from the outside though. The previous owner probably got sick of hearing all the comments and questions on this dumb customization and sold the truck.

Have you thought about a custom head ache rack? It would cover that, and just put a rear view camera on the rack so you get your visibility back.

I also hate in the bed tanks, what a lame idea for a street truck. There is so much wasted space under the bed on a fleetside that there is no reason to put a tank here where it is in the way of hauling anything or adding a shell.

[special-K]

Let's keep our discussion on the topic of the rear window

[Zeroman]

Flush fit.....

[va72longhorn]

X2 on the flush fit and as Skidmore described. Unless they left the window flange when they chopped the top. You could have a piece of safety glass cut and trim a rubber seal to fit in that case.

[67C10Step]

Unless you get into some real ugly when you cut out the existing custom work I'd leave a flange and go with a flush fit like Zeroman showed in his post. Clean, clean and would be classy from now on. Not a slider or opener but I really like the look.

[Lethal Tendencies]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

Unless you get into some real ugly when you cut out the existing custom work I'd leave a flange and go with a flush fit like Zeroman showed in his post. Clean, clean and would be classy from now on. Not a slider or opener but I really like the look.

I agree that does look really good. Would really like a slider or removeable window. Gets hot in the cab in the summer

[CG]

Maybe an RV window?

https://www.amazon.com/Driver-Side-U...0&sr=8-36&th=1

[Lethal Tendencies]

Originally Posted by CG

Maybe an RV window?

https://www.amazon.com/Driver-Side-U...0&sr=8-36&th=1

I was looking at some RV/ Trailer windows. The problem I have found so far is the height. I only have about 7" working height.
Thanks for the idea

[Lethal Tendencies]

Found this on line. I bit pricey https://www.sidchaverscompany.com/pr...ng-rear-window

[Greasey Harley]

Originally Posted by Lethal Tendencies

Found this on line. I bit pricey https://www.sidchaverscompany.com/pr...ng-rear-window

I like this option as long as the measurements jibe, this might be a good option. That's a clean piece of hardware.

[Peanut74]

The above solution would definitely make installation easier and less time consuming. The price is really not that bad.

[special-K]

Pricey but probably easy/simple compared to other options. That saves a lot

[Lethal Tendencies]

Originally Posted by Greasey Harley

I like this option as long as the measurements jibe, this might be a good option. That's a clean piece of hardware.

I talked to the manufacturer , the window pushes out on the hinges but does not completely come out, which I think would be cool if it did come out. The one that would fit my application is the 7" X 24 " for $1036

[HO455]

What is the existing window blank made of?
You could cut it down to a 1 inch lip and get a piece of smoked lexan cut to fit. Then attach a seal to the lexan and secure it in place with dzus type fasteners to the lip .
Once you have the bugs worked out you can have a piece of tempered glass cut to fit.
It would be like a T-top either on or off.
Where is the fuel tank in the truck?

[LT7A]

How about a flush fit piece of glass with hinges and clamps from OBS extended cab side windows? Or snap up a couple of '80s sunroofs and use the hardware.

[Lethal Tendencies]

Originally Posted by HO455

What is the existing window blank made of?
You could cut it down to a 1 inch lip and get a piece of smoked lexan cut to fit. Then attach a seal to the lexan and secure it in place with dzus type fasteners to the lip .
Once you have the bugs worked out you can have a piece of tempered glass cut to fit.
It would be like a T-top either on or off.
Where is the fuel tank in the truck?

Its a piece of glass. The tank is sitting in the bed. Not a bad idea of cutting a piece of plexiglass as a template.

[CG]

Originally Posted by Zeroman

Flush fit.....

I really like keeping this kind of stuff stock, its never outdated looking.

But after saying that, I really really like this rear flush glass. I could see doing that on something I owned (cept its probably pricey lol).

If OP wasnt looking to have a window that opened this is the way I would suggest.

[Warrens69GMC]

https://breezerwindows.com/