Can I buy a plastic removable bubble window to replace the glass rear window in a Toyota 4runner?

May 15, 2011 9:20 PM

Where can I get a plastic removable bubble window to replace the glass rear window in my Toyota 4runner?

The motor keeps wearing out, now the glass is broken. I don't want to spend any more money on that rear window. I just use my 4runner for farm-type errands.

I can't just leave it open in the winter.

So I thought why not just attach some kind of removable window like I have seen on boats. A snap on kind of thing.

Can I buy something like that?

posted by cda to travel & transportation (7 answers total)

If there's something ready made like that then you can probably get it through JC Whitney. They have live chat feature on their site that let's you ask a rep directly.
posted by Horselover Phattie at 9:30 PM on May 15, 2011

What year is the 4Runner? I doubt anything is available off-the-shelf, but it would help to know which 4Runner you have.
posted by mosk at 10:16 PM on May 15, 2011

Cut a sheet of plexiglass, install snaps on the plastic and on the car. snap it on and off as needed. (you could run some foam along the edge as well to seal it.
posted by tomswift at 3:28 AM on May 16, 2011

It is a '94 4runner. Thank you for the answers so far.
posted by cda at 4:20 AM on May 16, 2011

My memory from the owners manual of my old 4Runner (which also had problems with the rear window -- it's a design flaw that Toyota never solved) is that it warned you not to drive with the rear window open, because an open window would pull in exhaust fumes. If that's correct, your idea might be less ideal.

But if that's not the case, I'd suggest visiting an auto upholstery and canvas shop (or a boat one) and have them make you up a window out of flexible vinyl, like on soft-top Jeeps. I think that will be a lot easier to deal with than a bubble or plexiglass window.

However, it will also probably cost about as much as repairing the current tailgate (or getting a new one from the junkyard), especially because it will instantly drop your truck from "ok" to "beater" in terms of resale value.
posted by Forktine at 5:59 AM on May 16, 2011

J C Whitney didn't have anything. I called my local Auto Glass shop and they couldn't understand why I would want to do that. I called a local boat upholstery shop and they said sure thing. So I am going to stop in there for an estimate. I'll post here with details if I get this done.
posted by cda at 10:08 AM on May 16, 2011

Be forewarned that Lexan (or, Plexiglas) scratches very, very, very easily. Like, touching it with your fingers while it's dry and dirty will leave light scratches. It's not a huge issue in boats because you rarely need to see through them as you would a rear window.
posted by TheNewWazoo at 4:51 PM on May 16, 2011