Tailgate glass replacement

[Instantbacon]

I recently bought a 1991 k5 and I really like it. The main problem with it is the rear glass is broken, and I don't think the motor for it works either. I took apart the tailgate panel (I'm not really a mechanic, just trying to figure it out myself) and started cleaning out all the old glass. I bought a new glass already, but it doesn't come with the rail on it. So my questions are:

1. Does my new glass have to have the metal piece on it, or is there some way to remove the old one?

2. After removing all the top bolts, can you split the tailgate in half to get better access? I cant even remove the old track.

The motor isn't nearly as important as getting the glass in, I hate it getting wet. Thanks for the help.

 

[Jay Bird]

Just had mine replaced and we had to raise the window about half way to gain access to the bolts for the track. I don't think there's anything to take apart to get more access

 

[British Slave]

I recently bought a 1991 k5 and I really like it. The main problem with it is the rear glass is broken, and I don't think the motor for it works either. I took apart the tailgate panel (I'm not really a mechanic, just trying to figure it out myself) and started cleaning out all the old glass. I bought a new glass already, but it doesn't come with the rail on it. So my questions are:

1. Does my new glass have to have the metal piece on it, or is there some way to remove the old one?

2. After removing all the top bolts, can you split the tailgate in half to get better access? I cant even remove the old track.

The motor isn't nearly as important as getting the glass in, I hate it getting wet. Thanks for the help.

1. The metal piece can be removed and reused. Just buy a new filler.

2. No. The regulator has to come out the tailgate opening, remove the inner and outer window seals, then the glass will come out the slot in the top of the tailgate.

 

[Blue85]

You're in luck. This job is easier when the rear glass is broken. As long as the metal piece isn't all rotted, you just need the rubber piece and a tube of weatherstrip adhiesive. Getting the glass/metal assembly out is easy once you remove the inner and outer weatherstripping. Just use a small screwdriver or something to carefully straighen the clips on them and they pull right out. You can bend the clips back and reuse them later.

1) lower tailgate
2) remove tailgate access panel
3) remove inner/outer weatherstrips from tailgate opening (can also do before #1)
4) Unscrew the cable drive from the motor and put chuck it up in your drill
5) Use the drill to raise/lower the mechanism until you can get to the bolts holding the window in.
6) Unbolt and remove.

Obviously reassembly is the reverse, but the whole job here is in swapping that metal channel onto the new glass. If you wanted to remove the whole regulator mechanism, you would do that now, but be very careful about the spring tension. The motor can be pulled just by doing steps 1&2 above.

 

[Lungs]

You're in luck. This job is easier when the rear glass is broken. As long as the metal piece isn't all rotted, you just need the rubber piece and a tube of weatherstrip adhiesive. Getting the glass/metal assembly out is easy once you remove the inner and outer weatherstripping. Just use a small screwdriver or something to carefully straighen the clips on them and they pull right out. You can bend the clips back and reuse them later.

1) lower tailgate
2) remove tailgate access panel
3) remove inner/outer weatherstrips from tailgate opening (can also do before #1)
4) Unscrew the cable drive from the motor and put chuck it up in your drill
5) Use the drill to raise/lower the mechanism until you can get to the bolts holding the window in.
6) Unbolt and remove.

Obviously reassembly is the reverse, but the whole job here is in swapping that metal channel onto the new glass. If you wanted to remove the whole regulator mechanism, you would do that now, but be very careful about the spring tension. The motor can be pulled just by doing steps 1&2 above.

This is ancient, but I still wanted to say thanks for this post!

 

[TLW]

sorry for bumping old threads, but great knowledge here. looking for the 73-75 directions. lol

 

[Bodyman]

How do you remove the glass when it's down?

 

[ZooMad75]

How do you remove the glass when it's down?

If it's a power gate, do like he said in the instructions. Remove the cable drive from the motor in the gate. Chuck up the cable to a drill. Use the drill to drive the regulator up halfway. You will be able to access the bolts to the sash/glass. Remove the bolts. Make sure the weather strips on the top of the gate are off or the sash won't fit through the opening in the gate.

Keep in mind the glass has a slight curve to it. The glass won't come straight out. Pull out and slightly go up as you do and the glass will come out.

 

[Bodyman]

If it's a power gate, do like he said in the instructions. Remove the cable drive from the motor in the gate. Chuck up the cable to a drill. Use the drill to drive the regulator up halfway. You will be able to access the bolts to the sash/glass. Remove the bolts. Make sure the weather strips on the top of the gate are off or the sash won't fit through the opening in the gate.

Keep in mind the glass has a slight curve to it. The glass won't come straight out. Pull out and slightly go up as you do and the glass will come out.

Hello, it's a 85 suburban. Power window. The glass went down and won't come up. With the tailgate open, I can't access anything because of the glass being all the way down.

 

[Bodyman]

Hello, it's a 85 suburban. Power window. The glass went down and won't come up. With the tailgate open, I can't access anything because of the glass being all the way down.

I kept messing with the dash switch and it went back up. I've been trying to find a new motor. The part I find is a cardone 42-21, but is unavailable. I ordered a cardone 42-20....not sure if it is going to work.

 

[Blue85]

Just so somebody says it here: K5 and Suburban have virtually no parts in common for the tailgate window. The designs are quite similar, but nothing swaps.

 

[frankin5]

I kept messing with the dash switch and it went back up. I've been trying to find a new motor. The part I find is a cardone 42-21, but is unavailable. I ordered a cardone 42-20....not sure if it is going to work.

42-20 is the rebuilt motor,

CARDONE 82200 is a new motor made by Cardone.