Does anybody know if it is possible to make the rear window on the xB a motorized one kind of like the one on the Toyota 4-Runner. You know so if you want it down or up you just click a button like the windows on the car already.

 

Probably would cost more than it's worth to do it!

It also adds alot of weight!! my pop's 04' 4runner back hatch wieghs a ton!

a window that pops up like on the matrix is probably more doable!

 

it can probly be done but it would take lot of trial and error..and quite a bit of fabrication form a shop. we have had someone ask us about doing this...but we could tell them FOR SURE how much ,how long, or even gaurentee it was gonna work.

 

You'd have to rebuild the whole rear hatch. Make sliders and tracks for the window. Actuators to lift/lower it, custom seals so it wouldn't leak, etc, etc.

They're right, there is a whole slew of work involved. it would be kick ___ though, would look awesome and it'd be original.

 

i tought of doing this..but i ditched the idea

 

Even a pop up one would be great. It would allow good air flow in nice weather.

Hope someone tries this.

 

Good air flow via the back window while driving may not be a good idea in an XB. The XB tends to create its own draft to an extent. You may suck in exhaust fumes indirectly. I know there are a lot of cars out there with lift gate windows, but I don't see too many driving around with them open. It might be for that reason.
Does it seem like I'm guessing?...cuz I am.

 

Pretty much anything can be done if you have money. The only you have to decide is it worth the money to do it, it would look kool, but not worth the money to make it i think, unless you do all the work yourself instead of hiring a shop to do it.

 

Probably right. Not worth the cost/effort for me. Someone else may not be as lazy as me though.

 

It would probably cost 25% of what the car's worth to do that...

 

Not that I would do it but...How about a donor back hatch from somthing else that could be cut out and welded in.
I just want a hatch glass so when I need it I can haul longer things than 8'.


Scott

 

The hatch would wiegh a lot more and would have to change the struts too. :D

 

Everyone on this thread is pretty much right IMO. It would be a PITA to do and would weigh a freakin' ton. Getting it to seal out the water would be a nightmare to boot.

My biggest issue with this would be that it wouldn't LOOK right either. As they are, the back glass of the xB sits nice and flush with the gate. For a roll down, the glass must be inset about a cm or two from the door. This would give a wierd sunken area to the back door.

My solution to the not-being-able-to-haul-stuff-thats-real-long problem? I bought an '85 Nissan pickup for a grand. Best utility mod ever!

-Alex

 

There's also not enough space in the current hatch to facilitate the glass, much less all the hardware needed. And you'd choke yourself driving with it open, it would suck all the exhaust right in the window. (insert image from Thunderbolt and Lightfoot - trunk full of bunnies...)

With the weight and space restrictions, I'd think it'd be easier to cut it in half and hinge the bottom down - split door style.

Something i think would be trick, functional and more do-able would be to make the rear side glass vent open. If you could strip the workings out of a minivan or something and hinge the front edge and make them power open/close like in my Gr. Caravan. It would vent the box beautifully and would eliminate the ear-pounding airflow when you only want one window open up front.

 

Correct. I remember safety advisories being issued during the 70's warning owners of station wagons to avoid driving with the gate window down.

Outstanding idea! Having a "tailgate" would be a lot more useful. I will definitely keep that in mind if I decide to go forward with my idea of a *****'s Overland Wagon mod. :D

 

The weight and added thickness to the rear hatch wouldn't be worth it to me. Plus opening the back window while driving will not only suck in exhaust fumes, but a ton of road dirt also. I drive less than a mile from the car wash, and my back window is already coated w/ a layer of dirt and dust.

For me, the Cons by far outweigh the Pros.

 

WOW, that would be such an awesome mod! I have to drive everywhere with my windows up because of the noise.

 

I just open them in pairs, sort of. If I open the driver's window, I crack the driver's side rear window part way. If a passenger wants theirs open, the whole side gets some wind. Plus, if you only have the driver's window open, the wind hits the b pillar and slaps me right upside the head... But not when the rear is partway down...