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Rear Window upgrade?

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Old Feb 23, 2026 | 04:22 PM
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Rear Window upgrade?

Has anyone switched out the solid glass with defrost in it window with a powered sliding glass with defrost rear window? I would think you could run it with a up fitter switch.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 10:54 AM
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Really don't think you could run it through an upfitter since they're on or off. You'd have to potentially use two, one for open, one for close, but that seems like a lot of extra wiring. You could likely just get the ceiling trim that includes the button and run the harness for the rear window, if it isn't there already.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 03:10 PM
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12 Volt reversing switch. Make sure circuit is properly protected.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 03:29 PM
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I was thinking of using a "latching relay". I am surprised no one has made the switch between the fixed window to the sliding window though. As far as powering it I think there are a few options.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by pblair18040
I was thinking of using a "latching relay". I am surprised no one has made the switch between the fixed window to the sliding window though. As far as powering it I think there are a few options.
Most people who get a truck w/o a sliding rear window don't want a sliding rear window, so I'm not surprised. My FIL actually hates having a sliding rear window. It doesn't leak, but he doesn't like the big 'frame' around it.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 04:05 PM
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About the only thing I use my sliding rear window for is to hear my dual exhaust...

I could see a time where I' might want it to haul a 16' something-or-other... Speaking of which, I carried more than one 10' piece of PVC completely inside my SAAB 2-door sedan. Granted, it was 1/2 or 3/4 and was bendy enough that I could put one end in the passenger side footwell and angle to the opposite side of the trunk.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 04:33 PM
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Well, Where I live its spring and I thought I could live without it.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 04:49 PM
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I plan to install a manual sliding rear window in my 2026 F250 reg cab when I get it. Ford will not install sliding rear window in the reg cab XL.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2026 | 04:50 PM
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It looks like the rear window has limit switches at each end. If you only wanted the window open or closed then a single upfitter switch and Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) relay (Upfitter ON = Relay ON (NO closed)) could be used to open it all the way and (Upfitter OFF = Relay OFF (NC closed)) would close it all the way.
Lots of windows on EBAY right now.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2026 | 07:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 99powerstrokedF250
Most people who get a truck w/o a sliding rear window don't want a sliding rear window, so I'm not surprised. My FIL actually hates having a sliding rear window. It doesn't leak, but he doesn't like the big 'frame' around it.
I'd never order a truck with one. My truck came with one off the lot but it's never been opened and never will be. I've had previous trucks with them and for me the change in pressure or something inside the cab when the window is open isn't comfortable. Also, if there's any dust/debris in the truck bed or laying on top of a tonneau it'll swirl around and get sucked into the cab. I experienced that many years ago.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2026 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by pblair18040
Has anyone switched out the solid glass with defrost in it window with a powered sliding glass with defrost rear window? I would think you could run it with a up fitter switch.
Wiring might already be in place for the open/close. Just would need to buy the switch, and the wiring in the overhead area might be there for that too.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2026 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Poncho450
I'd never order a truck with one. My truck came with one off the lot but it's never been opened and never will be. I've had previous trucks with them and for me the change in pressure or something inside the cab when the window is open isn't comfortable. Also, if there's any dust/debris in the truck bed or laying on top of a tonneau it'll swirl around and get sucked into the cab. I experienced that many years ago.
For 2026 XL's getting the sliding window was the only way to get privacy glass. Otherwise I would have skipped it as well.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2026 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by sicdrummer27
For 2026 XL's getting the sliding window was the only way to get privacy glass. Otherwise I would have skipped it as well.
I always have a big rear window graphic of my late dogs so a non sliding window is better for me. But the shop was able to do it with the slider anyway. Just one more reason that I never use it.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2026 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Poncho450
Also, if there's any dust/debris in the truck bed or laying on top of a tonneau it'll swirl around and get sucked into the cab. I experienced that many years ago.
When you open the rear slider you also crack or open a side window to create good airflow. Never just open the back window at highway speeds.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2026 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by LX Sport
I plan to install a manual sliding rear window in my 2026 F250 reg cab when I get it. Ford will not install sliding rear window in the reg cab XL.
I actually tried but no one makes a manual slider that fits the newer cabs. They don’t fit the curvature of the rear window opening. You are stuck with a powered Ford unit which isn’t much more anyway.
I am aware of more than one 23+ reg cab that came with factory rear slider window. Ford says they won’t do it but they have done it.
 
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