Rear Window Opener?

[vadr45]

The more I drive my 09 3-door, the more in love I am...and the more I think of things I'd like to do if time and money were infinite. So here's my latest brain-burp:

Most small cars in the 70s and 80s used to have rear windows that opened on a front hinge and bolted down in the rear. It was a wonderful way to keep the car aired out in the pre-universal air-conditioning era and allowed you to open the car up at highway speeds. Does anyone make a conversion kit for 3-door Yarii so that we can open our rear windows?

[instantninja]

theres a company that makes a kit for FJ Cruiser rear windows. if theres enough interest i'm sure they might make one for yaris'. http://www.fjfreedomwindows.com/

[instantninja]

there are vent windows availble for FJ Cruisers, I bet the kit could be adapted to use on a Yaris.
http://www.fjfreedomwindows.com/

[vadr45]

Thanks, i-ninja, I've called and left a message at the nearest dealer asking if the FJC kit can be altered for the Yaris. I don't see why not - it's essentially a moon-roof kit for the side of the car, but it sure would be great if someone had come out with a Yaris-specific kit!

[CTScott]

The FJ kit is very cool. This idea has been discussed on here in the past, but it was never implemented. With my 5 door it isn't an issue, but my kids hate the fact that the windows don't open on my 3 door.

[Captain Slow]

I thought you were talking about the back-glass. It'd be awesome if you could roll down the window in the hatch and get some massive air going through.

[vten]

i want this as well !! subscribed

[suckerface]

For a long time I was looking into attempting to make a power rear (hatch) window. Was looking at the actuators in the 4runners. Was going to try to fab in some guides for the window to slide in, and wire a switch up front to lower it.

Only problem is that the glass is glued in (per Scott) and exhaust fumes may be likely to get in (per Garm). Never got around to it, but I'd love to see it done! The rear vent windows sound great too!

[Captain Slow]

Imagine how fun it'd be to cruise down a country highway with the windows and the hatch glass open.

[vadr45]

Originally Posted by suckerface

...Only problem is that the glass is glued in (per Scott) and exhaust fumes may be likely to get in (per Garm). Never got around to it, but I'd love to see it done! The rear vent windows sound great too!

Yeah, I remember the rear window opening in my father's 1964 Plymouth station wagon: massive intake of noxious gasses to the front-seat lungs. But that should not be true if the rear side-windows could be opened. In my Karmen Ghia I used to get bad gas smells when turning left at 35+ MPH...but that smell was from the front and the flow from the back side slits was pure...and helped the gas fumes to dissipate.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by instantninja

theres a company that makes a kit for FJ Cruiser rear windows. if theres enough interest i'm sure they might make one for yaris'. http://www.fjfreedomwindows.com/

Idahotom would probably buy one. His dog doesn't like the fact that the rear side windows don't roll down in the 3-door .

[Klink10]

I know I would and mine died.

[Captain Slow]

I'd buy a kit like that (assuming it's not super expensive) in a heartbeat. Even if it was like a targa top type thing and you had to remove the window and leave it somewhere. On a day with a totally clear weather forecast you could remove the window just to ride around then put it back on when you got home.

This would probably also be the easiest and cheapest solution and would still seal well.

If anyone feels like taking the project up please feel free to take my idea and run with it, I just want a free kit if you make one ;)

[vadr45]

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

I'd buy a kit like that
This would probably also be the easiest and cheapest solution and would still seal well.

Actually Captain, I may have found a cheaper and easier solution, provided that you can cut and drill car-glass. A Morris Minor owner made this air hole for his dog in his fixed rear window:



It actually looks as if it could be done with glass in the Yaris rear window, but leakage in rain would be a problem.

[Captain Slow]

that and it looks terrible

[vadr45]

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

that and it looks terrible

Yeah...but he replaced his glass window with plastic, so it scratches every time he opens or closes it. And I suppose that dog-slobber doesn't help. But it's a Morris Minor, fur cryin' out loud, and they look like poached eggs at the best of times.

But if your point is that the right way to do it is to hinge the glass window at the front and put a pop-out latch at the back, I am compelled to agree with you.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by vadr45

But if your point is that the right way to do it is to hinge the glass window at the front and put a pop-out latch at the back, I am compelled to agree with you.

I think that's the concept, which would be cool if it could be done at a decent price!

If I am not mistaken, even my 1976 Ford Pinto had these. Why modern cars don't I can't fathom. My only guess is that it might be easier to break into the vehicle with them...

Cheers! M2

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by vadr45

Yeah...but he replaced his glass window with plastic, so it scratches every time he opens or closes it. And I suppose that dog-slobber doesn't help. But it's a Morris Minor, fur cryin' out loud, and they look like poached eggs at the best of times.

Easy now! The "Maddiemobile" was a white 1959 model Morris Minor!