Anyone ever modded or replaced the rear hatch window so that it could be opened? A recent trip for lumber made me realize It would really help if there was a way to open the rear glass.

Never seen it done and I think it would be a LOT of $$$$$ if you wanted to do that. Though, that would be awesome. I would even settle for having pop out side windows (for the dogs)

that would be a pretty cool mod, but pricey.
you could always find a donor hatch and experiment with latches and hinges from another truck, but you'd likely need to sacrifice the wiper and defroster.

a donor for experimenting would probably be a must. I was thinking that you might be able to make it a retractable one that would just simple drop down into the hatch, like the 4runners had. Just another idea you can think about

I don't think you could drop it into the lower part of the hatch. There's too much stuff in there and I don't think there'd be room - hatch opening handle, lock, etc. I'm thinking these would get in the way.

A pop out or even a removable one, like the moonroof window would be cool though.

The reason I don't think this has been done and why Nissan didn't offer it is because of the issue with exhaust fumes. They tend to "puddle" behind the truck while it was going down the road. If you had an open window there, the fumes would then come into the truck. Just a thought...

-G

yes, the fumes would be the biggest thing, just look at how the back window gets on wet roads.

i can tell you that without extensive metal work/welding/sheetmetal there is no way to make the roll down kind. not to mention all of the wires you would have to make longer that are squoze in there. i have taken my hatch apart several times and it pretty much sux in there. the closest/easiest you could probably come would be to use one of those limo get your freak on window seperator things but then you have to worry about making it water tight.

now you could possibly make the pop up kind work if you could cut holes in the glass and fab a bracket/hinges to hold the glass without shattering it. oh and you would need the shocks to hold it up when open. i think it would be much easier to make it water tight if you went that route.

i will have to look through all of my pics but i may have one of the plastic cover off so you can see all the crap in the door. (if you haven't taken it off already)

a trip to a junkyard is in your future.

"A picture is worth a thousand words!"

-G

wait. my xterra has a rear window defroster? so much better than my truck i sold!