Riding with rear hatch open

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Thelt

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Anyone ever ride with the rear hatch open? I love the way you can roll down the rear window on a 4runner. I am afraid the struts wont hold and the window will crash shut and break. Any ideas?
 

Wulfhound

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Anyone ever ride with the rear hatch open? I love the way you can roll down the rear window on a 4runner. I am afraid the struts wont hold and the window will crash shut and break. Any ideas?

I drive with mine open sometimes for my dog just don't forget and go thru drive thru's lol
 

dude1116

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Anyone ever ride with the rear hatch open? I love the way you can roll down the rear window on a 4runner. I am afraid the struts wont hold and the window will crash shut and break. Any ideas?

Sometimes I do if I have cargo hanging out. But I do it slowly and cautiously. Warning - the lights will stay on and the ODO will read: "GLASS".

I think the fact that the struts pressure the glass at two small points is actually more dangerous, and leaves it susceptible to cracking. Not completely sure on that one, but that's always how I pictured it.
 

Wulfhound

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I am able to switch the lights off on the KK. the dimmer switch has a setting to turn it off
 

Thelt

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I wish more SUVs had the option to roll down the back glass. Toyota is about the only make to do that any more.
 

Hedsic

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I've gone a few times with the rear hatch open. After so long the dome light shuts off (I discovered this while fishing) but I usually just twist the dimmer to shut it off.
 

Paul M

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No worries of breakage. Despite the small mounting point on the glass the lifters have a shock effect that will take up some vibration/bounce...unless of course yer barrelling down some 2-track - I'd add a bungee then. As it is with my lifters they need replacing after too many years driving on dirt roads...they've lost enough lift due to crud collection that I whack my head on the glass edge thinkin' it's all the way up.
 

TheBlueKJ

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I like to have my hatch open when I'm wheeling but for the most part it's only open when I need it to see backing up at night on the trail. Just gotta be real careful not to hit the glass on a tree!
 

yellocoyote

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I do it all the time in the summer. All windows open and back glass up. No problems.
 

JeepJeepster

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Ive done it several times. Unless youre shocks are practically useless they will let the glass move down some on bigger bumps.

Simply pressing the latch in will turn the lights off and keep the 'glass' off the evic. Pretty easy. Gotta pull the door handle before closing the glass.
 

hectikart

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Ive done it several times. Unless youre shocks are practically useless they will let the glass move down some on bigger bumps.

Simply pressing the latch in will turn the lights off and keep the 'glass' off the evic. Pretty easy. Gotta pull the door handle before closing the glass.

I do the same thing...just press the latch in so it thinks it's closed in the back.

Make sure you have all the windows rolled down if you drive with the back open. Just the back open can create an air current that ***** exhaust into the jeep...and then you die. So, windows down. I always get a little nervous about the rear shocks holding up....I don't take it on trails with the glass up, but so far on-road around town, no problems.
 

dude1116

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Cool. I'm definitely sporting this look soon then. Cause I've always thought of it myself. I just love the feel of a completely open vehicle! :p Plus I won't lose as many MPGs if I'm highway cruising with all the windows down if the rear glass is open!
 

Thelt

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If it ever stops raining again I am going to try it out. We do not have many real off-road areas that are open to the public around here but we do have a lot of forest service dirt roads that are fun to ride.
 

VAhlene

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lol now there's gonna be all these Liberty's driving around with rear hatches open :Hump:
 
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Atrus

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I wish more SUVs had the option to roll down the back glass. Toyota is about the only make to do that any more.

Agreed! I loved that on my full sized Bronco.

I have driven with the glass up when I've gotten lumber and molding before that won't fit in the KJ otherwise. I don't like doing it though, I feel like it's just a matter of time before that window shatters.

So, I guess my answer is yes, very occasionally and in a pinch, but I avoid it if possible.
 

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