Removing and Reinstalling 1987 4Runner Back Seat Windows

My back seat window frame on the passenger side was all rusty and crusty. I snagged a decent replacement at the junkyard. Removal and replacement is simple in theory. Follow along and see how it's done (or at least how it was done in my garage).

[@cbh148]

I appreciate this dude. Bought an '87 manual DLX 4Runner 10 months ago (to go along w/ my '94 & '88 pickups, both Xtracab 4x4 manual 22RE DLXs) that I've been driving, carrying RC car/boat stuff, and doing little fix-up/clean-up projects on. Just recently found my driver rear sliding glass shattered out, presumably due to the August heat here in Alabama. Found a replacement assembly for $350 shipped on eBay, then found someone selling one on YotaTech for $100 shipped, so I ordered that and just used this vid to remove the old one while I wait for the replacement to arrive. Ordered some butyl tape too. Between the busted glass and the paint being very worn on my stock fiberglass top, I considered using this as the impetus to get a SofTopper, but they're like $1200 and I don't know if they're annoying at interstate speeds. Rode in a coworker's stock 2012 Wrangler with the OEM soft top on a 2 hour drive and found the noise from the top fabric annoying above ~60mph. Would hate to have that on this 4Runner since it's comfy and not some dedicated trail rig.

[@wakavevo4557]

Nice looking runner. I love my 86.

[@sampson4886]

Brother you're a lifesaver I bought a L trim but quickly realized how daunting it looked to me once i started removing stuff. I figured it was a unclick/pry the trim out of place kind of deal. Thank God I didn't do that lol

[@wheelbarrow01]

Super helpful video Alex. I was dreading removing my windows to restore my rusty L brackets but you've made it look so easy to disassemble/reassemble. Great work!

[@jetsgo66]

Haha didn’t realize I commented on this video 2 years ago. Watching it now as I’m about to restore a hardtop from the scrap yard. Great tutorial as always, thanks!

[@Samson-EC]

Damn good job Alex...You really come up with some good tricks, like the use of the drill. Awesome....

[@Yotar22]

Thanks for the video. I’m replacing a broken slider window. Great info!

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Hope the video helps. Good luck!

[@DamionStLouis]

Hey man , love your videos!

[@ChrisTopherBedNARLY]

Great video man! Thank you!

[@starwizardmanonthestarwiza2469]

Thank you for that video that help me is I got to replace the same 87 4Runner back window

[@godofyota9541]

Hard to believe it's only tape holding that window in.. great video..

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Yeah, it is just tape, but it's some tough stuff. Not quite as strong as windshield urethane, but tough.

[@petertruman3197]

Tape AND the interior trim. If you neglect to put the trim back in place, the tape will soften in warmer temperatures and the window can/will fall out.

[@jetsgo66]

@@petertruman3197 THIS. I’m missing the interior trim and mine fell out while driving. I used some small clamps to help secure mine

[@BraddaMarlon]

Any leaks from reusing the slider rubber? Also before reusing it had it shrunk?

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Nope, no leaks. It's important to clean out the rubber and the metal frame. There are designed drain holes. If they are clogged with years of sediment and crud, the water won't be able to drip out. Luckily, this rubber hadn't shrunk much if at all.

[@MurrayEstes]

Alex, I will assume the same MO for my 1985 4runner.....Thanks~

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Yes, would be the same.

[@wheelbarrow01]

Hey Alex, in your video you mention restored window rubbers. Did you restore them yourself? And if so, how? Mine have shrunk and not sure how to rejuvenate them.

[@TheAlexManVideos]

I soaked them in hot water and scrubbed all the gunk out of them. Once they are dry some silicone spray helps keep them supple.

[@rachelgordon-ball8012]

I know it's a long shot, is there a chance I can buy the rear sliding glass for the passenger side from you. Mine was shattered by a rock from a lawnmower yesterday. Love your videos they are super helpful thank you!

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Sorry for the late reply but if you still need the glass I'll sell it.

[@RYDENROAM72]

it is hard for me to find that piece that you just replaced. where can i find one???

[@TheAlexManVideos]

The window frames can only be found used as far as I know. The outer-most "L" shaped trim is the same as far as metal ones go, but ToyotaFiberglass in Canada makes a fiberglass replacement. I've never used one so I can't speak from experience about the quality but I've only ever heard good things.

[@berserkerbros4741]

This is a little unrelated to video, but I had an A/C question for you. It's driving me nuts. My 92 converted r134a system has new receiver/dryer and expansion valve. System holds -30 vacuum for days, but when I go to fill it, it won't take freon, even if I jump the compressor. Compressor was working fine last week before I tore system down. Low side pressure just stays at 110. Thanks man! I'm so over it at this point working on it in 90 degree Alabama heat

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Make sure the adapter you're using for the R-134a is working. Some brands don't remove the factory low side Schraeder valve, and just stack the new Schraeder valve on top. This is fine as long as the new valve is actually positioned correctly to open the original valve. You wouldn't notice this problem if you pull the vacuum with high and low valves open, because it would just vacuum through the high side. Also, sometimes the system won't want to take the change from empty. You can charge the system though the high side with the engine off. Then, once you can hear it stop charging, shut the high side valve, open the low side valve, start the engine, and continue charging like normal.

[@berserkerbros4741]

@@TheAlexManVideos I'll check the valves. The new one does indeed work when removed. The high side wasn't taking any in either with truck off and can held upside down.

[@enginerepairguy]

Hi alex. You should do a vlog. About your life. I have been watching your videos for 10 year. Wondering how your life is going. You did went to wvu?

[@jetsgo66]

Did you get your new decals from Jamesdeancreations? They look fantastic.

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Yep, that's where they are from. I was very pleased with the fit and finish. I will say that my original stripes were black. JDC offers smoked, gold, and silver. I ordered smoked and they came looking like this, which I would call silver. Not sure how that happened, but I'm running it.

[@jetsgo66]

TheAlexManVideos good to hear, was the install pretty easy? That’s unfortunate the color wasn’t as ordered but the lighter contrast looks great. I have black decals too so that’s good to know

[@TheAlexManVideos]

Installation was pretty nerve wracking after spending around $250 on just some stickers. I've never installed decals that large and getting them positioned just right and without wrinkles is very hard. Also, I took too long and the backing paper started getting wet and losing its connection to the decals. So then the individual stripes started moving relative to each other. I had to manually align a couple stripes to try to fix it. It turned out okay. The mistakes are small and not super obvious. Having a second person would be very helpful.

[@brianp8144]

Any lead's on the windshield trim for a 92 pickup, Ebay wants 100 bucks a peace for them.

[@jetsgo66]

Anyone attempting this I recommend using a different adhesive than butyl tape, or using butyl and clamping the window in place. Its not worth the window falling out, I found some small clamps that fit in the window channel so that doesn't ever happen again...

[@TheAlexManVideos]

That's how they did it from the factory and these windows don't exactly fall out. Mine haven't fallen out yet since I've repaired them although 3 years is a lot less than 30.

[@jetsgo66]

@@TheAlexManVideos Unfortunately one of mine fell out while driving after a hard freeze. I probably didn’t prep the area perfectly nor did I have ideal conditions while restoring my hard top. But I found a post on yota tech of it happening to someone else so I figured it’s worth mentioning. I’m missing the interior trim that press fits on the fiberglass and window channel which may have also contributed to the problem