I am in the process of fixing my tailgate window, when rolling down it would lean to one side and stop on the other side. I later opened up the access panel and realized one mount from the regulator to the window had gone completely missing, and the other was about to fall apart due to rust. I bought some new brackets with the rubber and cant seem to get them onto the window. I slide the rubber piece into the metal bracket but now I cant get the window in between the rubber U shape, see pictures. What I did first was slide the rubber into the bracket, then slide the regulator circle things into the bracket, so now the bracket can slide back and forth on the regulator arm.

Heres the old one! Disgusting!
Side shot of the old one, the circled portion is where the window is suppose to rest.
Bracket on the regulator arm, cant seem to inset window into the rubber channel.

Does anyone have experience installing these? Any tips or tricks, maybe I'm installing it wrong.

 

Wet glass and inside of rubber "U" with soapy water so glass will slide in.

 

BRB! Trying that out!

 

 

Wow completely didnt see that when I looked at my manual lol.
Soo.. then how do I put the channels into the regulator? Do I force it in there? Those arms don't want to move. My manual has directions to remove the regulator arms.. I think that's the route I go?

Edit: I can just unbolt the regulator and slide it back and forth correct?

 

Wow, this brings back memories, some bad. Be careful this glass will cover a whole acre if it breaks (tempered glass basically explodes if you aren't careful).
RAD is right on the money with the soapy water, you have to do all of this with the glass out of the door, so follow me close on this one.
with the tailgate open latch both sides, stick a screwdriver in the slot and make it latch.
use your key to raise the glass (now in a horizontal position) half way.
remove the interior panel from the door.
disconnect the defog wires (I think I remember one on each lower corner).
unbolt the regulator from the door and slide it to one side to release a roller then to the other side to release the other one.
you may have to disconnect wires and latch rods for this part.
you should now be able to carefully remove the glass from the door.
replace the channels and reinstall.
I found it easier to wrap a couple of ratchet straps around the window and the channel to apply a little pressure at each end while I carefully tapped the new one on the glass.
without that if you tap on one end the other tends to come off. Just make sure the glass is well padded and no metal touches glass while you are tapping on stuff (this is how I found out they explode).

 

Boy did your ratchet strap suggestion save the day. Channels are on the window, finally can use my back tailgate! Thanks all RAD, and akwheeler.

 

glad to be of service, come up to Alaska sometime and I'll let you buy me a drink so we can call it even ! LOL.

 

Awesome, Man!

Me, too!
Cool idea on the ratchet strap.

 

Another tip, try to leave the window up for a few days to give the soapy water a chance to dry up. If you have cold weather and there is any chance your rear window will freeze to the seal in the up position absolutely do not use it for a while or the regulator will pull the new rails off of the glass.