Sorry if there is an existing post available, but I tried and couldn't find any posts regarding my question.
I recently realized the rear window of my 3rd gen is going down not as smooth as it used to, and I wonder if anyone does a frequent maintenance (eg. grease/lubricate) the rear window unit. What do you use if you do and how do you do it?

Thanks,

 

I've never messed with mine in the 9+ years I've owned the truck, but it does sound pretty sketchy these days. I've worked on a friend's 4Runner, so I'm familiar with what the mechanism looks like. Your best bet is to remove the plastic panel on the inside of the hatch, and then take a look at all of the pivot points, gear teeth, etc. Lube and grease what you can.


Andreas

 

you might want to pull off the panel and lube up the tracs im gessing it works similar to a sunroof and dirt and whatever build-up might get in and slow it down some

 

Thanks guys, not too sure how complicated it is to pull the plastic panel out, I hate the feeling of breaking something.

 

I just did this last week. I bought some silicone spray and used almost half a can spraying down in all the crevices. Worked really well.

 

if spraying the runners doesnt work id suggest looking at the motor itself on the regulator. the small cog on the motor wears away in the middle so it doesnt connect properly with the regulator it grips it instead. making the rear window slow going down and up. removing the panel is an easy job and taking the motor off is easy theres 3 bolts holding it on. a good tip is if the cog is fubar i replaced mine with a toyota previa driver window motor same part as the hilux but half the price. if you ebay toyota previa you will see what i mean.
word of warning though if you take the motor off to inspect just be VERY careful that you have something to prop the window up with as the mechanism will release after removal. or if you do it the other way with the tailgate down have something to to take the weight of window or it will crack under its own weight. i found this out the hard way