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rollable tailgate window

6K views 35 replies 16 participants last post by  MAXGroup 
#1 ·
Peeps, I have a 2015 Overland and want to change the rear fixed window into something more usable. I googled and searched the forum for someone who has replaced the fixed rear window with something that moves up and down. The reason I would like that is to have the ability to carry longer stuff (8-10'). My Tundra had a sliding rear window and it was the quickest, easiest and safest way to carry pvc, boards, pipe, etc. I don't like the options on the GC to use a roof rack or running lengths out the passenger side window or out the sunroof (ha). There are several obvious challenges (even before looking at the space inside the gate itself), such as, window wiper (I don't need that), location of tail lights, license plate and light, door locking mechanism, etc. Since I can't find anything on this, I am starting to assume it is just not doable? Thoughts appreciated (ridicule, not so much :D). Thanks.
 
#4 ·
MDBones, non taken. I absolutely love your idea and I was already there until I sold my 2007 Tundra, which got me down to only 3 cars (Miata, BMW M3 and jeep plus my wife's X6). See the problem? MY WIFE! Well, she's got a point. And besides, if I can do what I've described with the rear window, I like the challenge but, of course, it is a fool's challenge if it is impossible.
 
#10 ·
There's no room in there for a roll-down window to work.

About your only option would be to look into obtaining a 2011-13 rear door and seeing if you can swap it into place.

Be forewarned..
The rear door marker lights are different on the 11-13 years, so you would not have your LED marker lights in the door.

Probably the best source would be a local salvage yard with a GC that has been in a frontal collision, see if you can drive back to the vehicle and compare the two (measurements, latch points, etc).
 
#11 ·
I'm making an assumption here, but I don't think you'd have to swap the whole gate. Glass, hinges, lock, some interior trim, and maybe a few other bits & pieces. If you can find a complete hatch at a pick-a-part, then buy the whole thing, use what you need, and sell the shell on Craigslist.

I didn't use it much on my '12, but when I needed it, it was nice to have. I'd love to have that functionality on my '15.
 
#13 ·
Search the forum for "flipper glass". The rear window used to flip open --- as stated earlier model years 2011-2013. While I only really needed the flipper glass a few times for long items in 3 years of ownership, it was a nice feature to have for other times especially if just wanted to reach in and grab something so it doesn't roll out or whatever when opening the entire liftgate. Even better, Home Depot (at least in my area) rents trucks etc. pretty cheaply for the transport of the occasional bit item. I've had to do that once for some 4'x8' sheets of plywood.
 
#15 · (Edited)
For likely less than what it would cost you to come up with something that opens at this point (MY11-13 had the "flipper glass" but that's out of the picture now), you could pick up an inexpensive utility trailer to haul longer things. Honestly, that's what I did even though I do have an opening window back there. I took that route years ago when I sold my 2000 Tundra in favor of something more family-friendly and haven't regretted it.

The big home centers like Home Depot also offer low-cost truck rentals for when you need to "bring home a load" that's not appropriate for what you have yourself to haul with.
 
#16 ·
Good points, guys. MY CURRENT WIFE is not the problem; she laughed when I told her MDBONES' idea of using her X6 to carry long stuff. And, I've been considering Jim_in_PA's idea of a small trailer, it's just that I have a 23' trailer sitting in my yard now. Understand the relative convenience of just renting a truck at HD, and would probably do that for big loads. I'm just trying to build in a convenience factor when I'm out and about and decide to pick up a couple long items (and the window idea fits the convenience factor). Thanks all for the input (and humor, no ridicule). :thumbsup:
 
#17 ·
I regularly grab a few 10' pieces of trim or similar and they fit just fine from the outside corner of the passenger side of the dash to the back of the JGC. ALWAYS put a cloth down on the dash first of course!
 
#19 ·
^^^ Not necessarily. Swapping JUST the necessary parts IMO sounds easier. Not only are the lift gates different, as are the tail lights so it would look pretty goofy. I bet all they did going into MY 2014 is change to a fixed glass and most of the parts could be swapped over to add flipper glass to 2014+. Like others have said you would be swapping over the glass itself, hinges, new latch mechanism etc etc. The 2011-2013 had a button above and to the right of the license plate that would pop the glass. You may have to custom mount that in that location which probably wouldn't be all that hard. As far as the keyless pop using the fob, that might not happen though, but probably not a big deal.

Swapping the entire lift gate would be costly, unless you happen to find one mint condition in your exact color. And if you don't mind converting to the older 2011-2013 tail lights which compared to 2014+, look old and cheap.

Either way this is an interesting topic and would be cool to see if someone could do it. When I had my 2012 Overland I really only needed the flipper glass one time in 10,000 miles so its not a big deal to me. I was able to get a 16' garage door section in my Grand Cherokee :)
 
#23 ·
I highly doubt you could just swap the flipper glass, struts, and latch.
The door structure that allows that to exist would be completely different from the door structure if there is just a glass panel.

Funny you should call the 11-13 tail lights 'old' and 'cheap'....
I think the corny LED surrounds with conventional bulbs on the 14+ models look 'cheap'.

Come on Chrysler... You've got full LED lights on the your cheap SUVs (Compass and Renegade), but not on the top of the line SUV.

Bah! Bunch of 'bean counting' f'ing morons!
 
#20 ·
I would think there'd be a difference in the sheet metal stamping in the window area of the lift gate that would make just swapping the glass, hinges, etc., difficult if not impossible?
 
#26 ·
Wow, so many good ideas! For me, for my purposes, I thought Jim_in_PA's idea solveed my problem: it is exactly 10' from front of dash to rear tailgate, so my 10' lengths of pvc, 2x4's, etc. will fit just fine (I already have a dash cover on). To make that really work, I'd like to be able to remove the passenger head rest so lenghts could sit on top of seat but reading the owner's manual indicates that only dealer's can remove head rest. Tried reclining the seat but it doesn't really get low enough to be out of the way. Please recall, I am just looking for a convenient way to carry some long items, without having to make a lot of adjustments.
Don't know if this takes me back to the rear window idea. When I look at the fixed rear window, it looks to me like a replacement couldn't be hinged up because the window is under the stop light which is part of the rear wind deflector.
A quick perusing of the electronics on my tailgate--back up camera, remote lift, etc.--makes me wonder what I would lose compared to what I would gain. I must be missing something. And how did that guy carry a 16' garage door section (what's the trick, cut it in two 8' lengths?).
I know that no one has supported my idea of finding a way to roll the window down, understanding that a lot of stuff is there (wiper, I could lose that, tail lights, license plate light, etc.) but does anyone know if there is any space in there? Thanks again.
 
#27 ·
I'd say get rid of that X6. Strange vehicle and proof of BMW whoring their lineup and making up segments that don't exist. That should free up some money to buy something to haul long boards.
 
#30 ·
Dropshadow, that seat rack is a nice idea and it would give me the convenient capability I am seeking. But the one question is: the owner's manual says head rests can only be taken out by dealer. I've taken many out of other cars but I don't see how this comes out of my JGC? Understand, at best, FCA frowns on this but it is my jeep after all. Can they be removed by an ordinary citizen?
 
#31 ·
The headrests are "active" headrests which instantaneously change position during certain types of collisions. That's why they are not removable...they are integral safety systems.
 
#32 ·
this thread is the exact reason I haven't even contemplated trading my 12 in yet. I would love the new High Altitude in white.. But the lack of flipper glass is basically the only reason I haven't. I use mine all the time not just for long items but when groceries are piled high in there(usually on top of my wifes massage table) I have to use the glass so the groceries dont come falling out. I really don't know how you guys with the newer jeeps can handle not having it. I really wish they didn't get rid of that feature. But like others have said try out an older gate and part it out possibly.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Jd', the fact of the matter is that many of us who have the 'flipper glass' didn't even know we had it until long after we bought our JGC. My previous SUV didn't have one, so I never looked for it. While some folks use it a lot, that's not universal. I've only used it about a half-dozen times and that was when I had my horse trailer connected and needed something out of the back of the Keep...like a bag of carrots. :) I could have opened the lift gate no problem, but just reached in through the glass. I'm convinced that Jeep felt this was a cost savings item and the majority of buyers wouldn't even notice it was missing.
 
#35 ·
I hear ya. Weren't they having leaking issues with them at one point or another too?

I agree with the lower post as well. I got rid of a truck when I got the jeep. I too use a trailer most of the time when hauling long stuff. There is those times when you don't have a trailer with you and you decide to buy something long. Or hauling pipe is a PIA on a trailer(with no closed sides atleast) so I would throw a 10' pipe through the flipper glass over take the trailer..
 
#36 ·
Gents,
First of all the M6 is a cool car, I don't have one so its an honest opinion.
Second some time the best solution to a problem is a low tech simple solution.

And it is a roof rack!
Cheap you can quickly take it off, and will hold whatever you buy in Home Depot or lowes ;)
 
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