Rear Hatch Window Operation?

One of the things I love about the 4Runner is the rear hatch window for access to the cargo area without having to open/close the door.

My SR5 Premium has the lock/unlock buttons which double as window controls. However, those controls won't work if any other door is open. For instance, if my wife is getting in the vehicle while I'm trying to stow something in the back before I get in.

is this normal? Is there a way to disable that "feature"?

 

I'm looking for an answer to the same question!

 

I can use the unlock button on the rear hatch to roll down the window even if the doors are open. It won’t let me roll it back up with the doors open though as it’s trying to lock at the same time so it’ll beep instead

 

it may be not easy and require patience, but its possible to teach wife to operate window switch next to front seat.

 

I just watched this Utube link: https://youtu.be/WGi5hCL9yV0

The guy says the 6th Gen will lose the rear window movement feature because the D pillar will slope forward for aerodynamic efficiency, and the glass can’t be accommodated with the hatch door frame. He said the Sequoyia has already adopted this ?

 

is she the wife that got locked in the trunk with the dog?

 

Oooooohhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

 

Bummer that it might go away, I love the rear as well. With a full bike rack in the back I can open the rear window to get all the biking gears/helmets out for example. We have a dog that loves to look out the back and I open the rear for him (summer time).

 

Having the rear window down is what enables me to use the back step to get at the back of the roof. I just need the slightest bit of handhold, which the open window readily provides.

 

Not sure about your question because usually I am by myself.

Not to high Jack thread but I really hope they keep that window as is. Gosh I think it would be great at boat ramp backing up or for any trailer. You can easily hear someone guiding you back.

I enjoy that window while driving too it airs out quickly in warm weather

 

My wife finds it hard to retain some types of technical information but both my daughters can do a proper oil change and tire rotation. OTOH I know plenty of guys who don’t know one end of a screwdriver from the other.

Back to the topic: it was the rear window (along with the lack of the otherwise ubiquitous auto-stop-start) that made me choose the 4Runner over a Wrangler.

 

Yeah, it’d be a shame to lose the ability to have 2x4’s sticking out the rear hatch window opening. Maybe even a dealbreaker for me. It’s so handy for so many oversized things.

 

Yet another reason I'm glad I bought a 5th Generation.

 

Can be just like your Jeep friends now 6th Gen'ers!

 

Good question ya. My 2016 Trail has no buttons, but uses the key turned and held to operate window. I want to try with doors open when I'm home

 

That back window is such a great feature. Will be truly missed if it's not included with the 6th Generation. I once carried home a 10' length of PVC pipe. Just lowered the rear window, lowered the rear armrest (no need to lower the rear seats), and wrapped the one end that was near the dash with a towel so it wouldn't scratch anything. I don't believe I could have done that with any other "enclosed" SUV on the market.

 

Tested operating rear window last night with turn of key (no buttons) and a door open, it worked properly down and up

 

It’s honestly a selling feature for me. That video talks about modern designs and curves in the window blah blah if I wanted an Explorer or one of those I would buy that.

Come on Toyota don’t screw up a good thing. Bueller are you listening ?

 

I miss the lift-gate roll up window more than any other feature on the 4Runner. For ultimate convenience take a look at this old thread (I did it along with many others on here and I love it!)

https://www.4runners.com/threads/ultimate-camping-mod-rear-window-up-down-4th-and-5th-gen.6424/

 

I loved the rear window of my 1996 4Runner, then switched to Tacoma's for a couple years to preserve manual transmission. But, for a variety of reasons, I switched back to 4Runner in 2022. I own a nice utility trailer, and the 4Runner actually pulls it easier than the Tacoma's did. So, with the rear window open capability, I felt comfortable I could handle all my hauling requirements. Here I've got a bundle of 12' vinyl siding for a trip to my cabin in the mountains:



Would have seemed silly to hitch the trailer for this small load.

 

Im impressed the weight of the wood did not break the glass or motor

 

It's not wood, it's vinyl siding, and I didn't use the motor to raise it up, I held it up and then raised the window with the controls on the tailgate.