Top Hinged Side Cargo Windows??

[5Cruiser]

Someone on Expo mentioned there may be a mod or aftermarket set up for making the rear cargo window top hinged for huge access to the cargo area from the side.

That would be insanely cool.

Someone show me it can be done, please.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Search in the 80's section, someone did it there. They replaced the glass with sheet metal, so don't go there thinking you're still going to have a window. I'm not aware of a kit.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Kevin from Wagon Gear has made something like that for the 60 Series wagons. It is possible, just gotta find someone to fab it

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[jonharis]

Sign me up for a set if they ever get built..........that would be sweet.

 

[4Peanut]

What Alex said. https://forum.ih8mud.com/wagongear/307003-so-kevin-about-those-windows.html

 

[marius]

You can buy them in south africa not sure from who

 

[jgray]

After just breaking one of these windows (about an $800 window from Toyota IIRC) and enjoying the luxury of accessing my gear from the side of the truck for a couple days, I have to say it was pretty nice... Even my passengers remarked on how nice it was until I made my duck tape window...

 

[jonharis]

I want, I want, I want! Just read through most of the above thread. It was very productive and I think with the minor changes (flush mount, etc) that people suggested, these could be awesome! It would reduce the amount of times I need to do the 5 step, soon to be 7 step process to open my tailgate by ~30-40%.

Grab a beverage from the fridge...done
Get the dog food bowl....done
pack something near the middle row with out removing everything else....done

 

[Mxndrnks]

There are just a lot more obstacles in getting these designed for our rigs vs. a 60 series. I would like to see it done. But, I dont see Kevin having the time or resources to design one for us anytime soon. Someone with a 100 would either need to find the mystery source in South Africa or design one themselves...

 

[4Peanut]

If we all chip in and buy Kevin a 100, we'll have side windows, tailgate lids and side panels in no time!

 

[natvet]

Truck camper shells have similar designs. Possible source of design or production... Just thinking out loud

 

[patrickfinley]

Isn't there already a huge access to the cargo area?

I can see if you had a rear tire mount and jerry cans that this would be a sweet thing to have.

 

[BamaHeel]

Seems like it might be easier (although less useful) to have the windows hinge from the front edge as they already pivot at that point and open towards the front.

 

[re_guderian]

Seems like it might be easier (although less useful) to have the windows hinge from the front edge as they already pivot at that point and open towards the front.

I bet it would get ripped off/bumped into in pretty short order.

 

[5Cruiser]

Seems like it might be easier (although less useful) to have the windows hinge from the front edge as they already pivot at that point and open towards the front.

This may be a good idea. Keep it simple and utilize the existing design as much as possible.

Here's a dumb question...if you removed the mechanism that opens the windows automatically...how far would they open as is?

What if all you have to do is loose the power opening, and modify the mechanism to lock closed and open without a limiter. Holy cow, I'm going to go look at it. Who cares if you have to open it from the side, if it can be actually be done!

 

[re_guderian]

This may be a good idea. Keep it simple and utilize the existing design as much as possible.

Here's a dumb question...if you removed the mechanism that opens the windows automatically...how far would they open as is?

What if all you have to do is loose the power opening, and modify the mechanism to lock closed and open without a limiter. Holy cow, I'm going to go look at it. Who cares if you have to open it from the side, if it can be actually be done!

looks like they're just studs on the front end? definitely seems like it would be easier to adapt a true hinge there.

 

[hoser]

You can buy them in south africa not sure from who

Big Country

 

[alexinWC]

It seems like a front opening rear window could be a simple enough mod.

Going off of what 5cruiser and re_guderian started, you could replace the bolt in the front of the window with a hinge and use the existing opening mechanism as a way to lock/unlock the window. For ease of installation, make it manually operated so you can fully push open the window when it is at full vent. Add in a shock or guide at the top or bottom of the window so it will stay open on an incline and you're good to go!

The problem, as always, would be the hardware needed for a job like this. New hinge, modifying the window, bonding on the shock/guide and mounting to the interior, plus anything else that would be needed. At least we have an advantage over the 60 and 80 since our rear windows open from the body of the vehicle.

 

[bluecruiser]

even having this Big Country type on one side would be pretty slick. I think I could do without one window way back there.

 

[jonharis]

Hmmm Don't like the SA design at all. The thing that appealed to me about Kevin's design was that it retains OE Glass and all the major components are internal. That other design looks like something a mud runner fab shop in GA (no offense to our brothers to the south) would come up with. Not very conducive to the 100 series physique. I'm OK with form over function but have my limits.