2nd Gen 4runner quarter window protection

[TimberlineBryce]

Need some ideas for protecting the rear quarter windows on my 2nd gen runner, mainly the top edge where it wraps over the roof is very susceptible to tree damage! I found out the hard way this weekend on the swamp lake trail...

[_HOIST_]

Do you have the ability to build some tube roof sliders? They can easily be made to tie into regular sliders, bumpers, and across the top to each other. This might get you into exo territory though...

[TimberlineBryce]

Ya I was thinking of coming up off the rear bumper and rock slider up the c-pillar and d-pillar then up to a tube style roof hoop and down the front a-pillar into the fenders... Just wondering if anyones ever tried or has any pics?? Only other thing I can think of is just welding it closed with a piece of sheet metal...

[Snowtoy]

While not a 2nd gen Runner, this exo that a buddy had on his '96 might give you something to work off of. 

He considered running some 1" expanded metal to protect the rear window, but figured he would wait and see if he needed to. 

[TimberlineBryce]

Nice! That's similar to what I was thinking. It's a little busy on the rear quarter so I might do mine. A little different but that is te idea...

[yotatough]

It's easy, don't hit trees. Lol. Did the same thing on swamp with my 97.

[TimberlineBryce]

Haha ya funny thing is I broke it out coming out of coyote inbetween the two gatekeepers there's that narrow spot between a rock and a tree then the next day I hit it again coming out of swamp on a tree just past the widow maker but it was already broken out! Lol

[mudaddict]

Just remove em        exo around that area is the best thing to do i hit there i dont know how many times got lucky everytime never broke a window but dang close.

[TimberlineBryce]

So I've been mulling this over for a week now with cardboard on my window and I came up with an idea... I might take some thick sheet metal and weld some reinforcement on the inside of it then trim it to the exact size of the glass then paint it and use the rubber seal and eurethane it in like the glass was... ??

[young guy]

Well if you are going the rout of just closing the window with sheet metal then lucky for you, when you take off the side panel, there is no calking to be had. Due to toyota's good planning there are just a series of 10mm bolts that go around the edge of the window. Once removed you press on the inside of the window and it will pop our, leaving you a gooey tar like substance that was used to seal the window, you will not need to replace this due to the fact that it isnt a hardened seal, so all you have to do is cut the size of sheet metal you need, then send bolts through the edge and into the already placed reinforcement bolts through the frame of teh window (: no calking or anything tricky like that.

[TimberlineBryce]

Thanks ya so I found this out when I went to the junkyard and pulled the glass I was surprise how easy it was to change, but I do plan on doing something for protection in the near future since breaking out windows on the trail is not fun:(

[suprawheeler]

What about building a frame that bolts in and use plexi glass?

[Royota]

I like the sheetmetal idea but what if you did that to frame it, then had replaceable Plexiglases/acrylic or whatever sections so that it still is a window, but waaaayyyyyy cheaper to replace and if one cracks just caulk it, and if it blows out, $20 instead of $200. I don't know I like ALL the ideas suggested here. I would like to see some photos when you finish!

[TimberlineBryce]

Price isn't the issue, I got my replacement glass at the junkyard for $12! 

[IMMUDDY]

I put a piece of smoked plexi-glass to fill in where my glass broke in my roll over. made a stencil out of cardboard and took it to Precision Plastics and they cut it to size. Then drilled holes in for the factory bolt holes.

[ajordan1975]

I put a piece of smoked plexi-glass to fill in where my glass broke in my roll over. made a stencil out of cardboard and took it to Precision Plastics and they cut it to size. Then drilled holes in for the factory bolt holes.

I think that's what I'll be doing to mine soon. Got a buddy who has an uncle that makes windshields for motorcycles.

[TimberlineBryce]

Bought metal today, stay tuned...

[coontailcrawler]

So what happened TaroVR6!??