Would you want a powered sliding rear window?

[Falcor]

Yes, please!!!! I briefly tried to do this myself using a powered window opener. It would have worked, but was gonna be bulky. I remember seeing something done like this from a Tocoma forum.

I ran across this one today.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/converting-sliding-rear-window-to-power.64816/

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[Wheelin98TJ]

There is a thread here too:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/power-sliding-rear-window-its-possible.28792/

 

[Mr Miami]

I am not a fan of Jeeps (and other vehicles) adding more and more "stuff" that will eventually break at some point. For a power rear window whatever .... in my opinion, there is no way I would pay for it unless it was already there and I was buying it off the lot. The only time I have ever even opened mine was when I went to Home Depot and bought some 12' trim. I opened the little window in the back, slid the trim in, and drove home.

Maybe I'm the odd one here but I nearly bought a '24 Max Tow instead of my '24 JTR. The Max Tow was about 10k less (32k vs. 42k when Stellantis was giving the big discounts in '24 and '25). The Max Tow had the roll up windows (I think '24 was the last year they were available). Anyway, I would have bought it but at the last minute they would not sell it to me since there was the recall thing for something on the dashboard that didn't work properly and they had been waiting for 6 weeks to get the part but still hadn't received it and had no idea when it would be available for sale since they can't sell a vehicle with an outstanding recall. Anyway, I know it sat it the back of that dealer for another few weeks and I ended up buying my JTR at another dealer.

So short answer is, no, I wouldn't pay a penny for another power anything.

 

[sheath]

The slider in my JT gets used almost daily. Kind of a pain in the butt not being able to control the amount of opening from the driver's seat.

I'm a fan, but would prefer OEM components for the drive unit. Not off shore aftermarket parts.
When trucks went to "crew cab" style, every truck I owned up until this JT had a powered slider. The '07 Ram with over 125,000 miles that was sold in 2022 had all the original hardware and functioned flawlessly. None of my factory equipped rear power sliding windows had any issues.

I am very much a fan of OEM components. Ease of getting replacement parts when traveling, and the testing done gives confidence they will last.
If an OEM drive unit was used, a $600 kit would open my wallet, versus making my own.
After market drive unit, and even at $300 I wouldn't buy it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Soft top owners can vote, but we know this isn't meant for you.

How often do you find yourself wanting a bit more fresh air while driving but don't want to pull over and reach back, or even get out to open the window. And you find the side windows to not be an option?

Maybe you have a dog that would like to stick their head out the window but it's raining or snowing?

Maybe you have kids that you need to keep the side windows locked/closed.

Or maybe you are about to go through the wash and just remembered the sliding rear window is still open?


This is for you!

(Background on me)
I'm an electronics wiz, I taught robotics to a local high school and volunteered at the local tech college for robotics education. I enjoy tackling new challenges, and seeing other happy when they get what they need/want. I'm also disabled after a severe motorcycle wreck, and it's been challenging find work to pay the bills and still be happy, since I cannot afford college and have always wanted to work in the robotics field (or even teach it). I've developed products before, but never mass produced them (yet) due to financial struggles primarily. But when I create something, I'm old school, meaning I build it to last...unlike most modern products. I also do my best to be fair and offer a quality warranty that benefits both the customer and myself. I believe integrity and quality are the most important things a product/brand should provide.

My main gig currently is growing within the I.B.E.W. of my local union. I'm currently a CW2 since I was never professionally taught any of it, but with a background in: robotics, low voltage, pneumatics, programming, AC/DC systems, construction, IT (A+, Network+, Security+), computers, and much MUCH more...they were happy to take me on. Just waiting for my next assignment.


(The details)

I've seen some of the mods done to power the rear sliding window, but they're all a bit different, some cleaner than others, but almost if not ALL of them do NOT fully open the window, and most require an new switch to be added, or don't work with the OEM AUX switches.

I too would like to be able to control my rear sliding window without getting out or unbuckling to do so. My service animal also agrees (and sometimes gets upset when I won't roll the side windows down).

I'd like to develop and offer a quality solution, that looks minimal and as OEM as possible for this (non?) issue. But before I go investing time and money, I'd like to hear some feedback on this topic.

Please vote and share your thoughts! This will help determine whether I develop this product for the Gladiator community or not.

I’d definitely be interested in this. I rarely open it, but I would constantly if I could without pulling over.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

The slider in my JT gets used almost daily. Kind of a pain in the butt not being able to control the amount of opening from the driver's seat.

I'm a fan, but would prefer OEM components for the drive unit. Not off shore aftermarket parts.
When trucks went to "crew cab" style, every truck I owned up until this JT had a powered slider. The '07 Ram with over 125,000 miles that was sold in 2022 had all the original hardware and functioned flawlessly. None of my factory equipped rear power sliding windows had any issues.

I am very much a fan of OEM components. Ease of getting replacement parts when traveling, and the testing done gives confidence they will last.
If an OEM drive unit was used, a $600 kit would open my wallet, versus making my own.
After market drive unit, and even at $300 I wouldn't buy it.

"Ease of getting replacement parts when traveling, and the testing done gives confidence they will last."
When have you ever walked into a parts department and actually walked away with the desired part same day???? You need to share the contact info on that dealership.

This guy sounds like an AI chat bot selling me on a dealership.


I'm almost the opposite of you on this one. I'm completely ok with DIY here. I'm going to install it in a manner that will be easily replaceable and not buried in a place that I can't reach without a third elbow. OEM means it's going to break and almost guaranteed to be backordered to hell when you do want to replace the part.

 

[sheath]

"Ease of getting replacement parts when traveling, and the testing done gives confidence they will last."
When have you ever walked into a parts department and actually walked away with the desired part same day???? You need to share the contact info on that dealership.

This guy sounds like an AI chat bot selling me on a dealership.


I'm almost the opposite of you on this one. I'm completely ok with DIY here. I'm going to install it in a manner that will be easily replaceable and not buried in a place that I can't reach without a third elbow. OEM means it's going to break and almost guaranteed to be backordered to hell when you do want to replace the part.

I've got a bit over 40 years of build projects for myself and others. I've also been hired by shops to support their customer projects. Over that time I've learned some easy, and hard lessons regarding parts.
This comes from my personal experience, as well as the experience of other professionals I've supported.
Ymmv,

Just a few reasons I lean towards OEM components when possible:
* Using OEM parts opens up the availability of parts from the OEM vendors like Dorman. These parts can be obtained through companies like Napa Auto Parts, etc..
* Wrecking yards, and eBay have been a great source for me to get good condition used parts.
* OEMs are required to directly support parts for at least 10 years in most cases.
* I've run across issues of off shore vendors either stopping parts production, or changing a part enough that it no longer fits the application. In those cases I've had to revamp the design to fit a newer part.
* Durability studies, and constant QA analysis done by OEMs, and U.S. mfgs are pretty rigorous. Even parts they bring in from off shore vendors are typically high quality.
* When drawing up electrical schematics, and/or trouble shooting guides to support a project I can use OEM information to support the documentation.

 

[SaiintNick]

I said No because I don't want Jeep to have something else they can screw up, but I would say yes because it would be a cool feature if someone not at MOPAR made one.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

I've got a bit over 40 years of build projects for myself and others. I've also been hired by shops to support their customer projects. Over that time I've learned some easy, and hard lessons regarding parts.
This comes from my personal experience, as well as the experience of other professionals I've supported.
Ymmv,

Just a few reasons I lean towards OEM components when possible:
* Using OEM parts opens up the availability of parts from the OEM vendors like Dorman. These parts can be obtained through companies like Napa Auto Parts, etc..
* Wrecking yards, and eBay have been a great source for me to get good condition used parts.
* OEMs are required to directly support parts for at least 10 years in most cases.
* I've run across issues of off shore vendors either stopping parts production, or changing a part enough that it no longer fits the application. In those cases I've had to revamp the design to fit a newer part.
* Durability studies, and constant QA analysis done by OEMs, and U.S. mfgs are pretty rigorous. Even parts they bring in from off shore vendors are typically high quality.
* When drawing up electrical schematics, and/or trouble shooting guides to support a project I can use OEM information to support the documentation.

Fair enough, makes more sense once you explain it. To me, OEM means dealer parts. The fix-it section by Dorman has saved me many times over.
For this application, I'd rather go DIY. I recently needed to replace the Exhaust clamp (the one right at the start of the Cat-back exhaust I was installing. O'Reilly's, NAPA, AutoZone, Advance Auto none of them had it nor could they order it. Had to go to dealer and order it. Two weeks later it still hadn't come in. I finally got a hold of a similar part at AutoZone because I talked to an old timer that new of a box, top shelf back of the warehouse that had random parts collecting dust for 100 years that had a piece that was kinda close. Turns out he was right and I got an exhaust clamp that was 1/4 inch too big but I was able to make it work. Good thing my area doesn't do emissions...

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