1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Fixing Access Cab rear side window latches

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by ToyotaJim, Jun 9, 2021.

  1. Jun 9, 2021 at 5:54 PM
    #1
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    I just did this on both my Gen 1 Tundras and ask this be a sticky to help others with some very useful tips. Time investment, 10-20 minutes per window if you follow my instructions.

    Problem: These came with flimsy cheap plastic, and they generally break.
    Solution: Inexpensive aluminum latches.

    This is the broken part:Resized_20210610_150922.jpg

    What you'll need.
    1. Latches. You'll need 1 for each window. They are little macaroni shaped aluminum or steel. I ordered from Amazon, a 4 pack (I have 2 trucks; order 1 latch per window) plus a steel dowel was $9. So this is a $2 solution per window. There were many vendors and I used this one. My items were shipped immediately and perfect fitment: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0925TZVQG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8

    Latches.jpg

    2. Tools:
    * Liquid wrench or other penetrating oil;
    * Medium sized hammer;
    * Large or medium locking vice grips;
    * Phillips screwdriver with long shaft;
    * Large/medium channel locks or similar.

    Continued.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021
  2. Jun 9, 2021 at 6:10 PM
    #2
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    3. Operation. You have to carefully remove 1 screw and 2 roll pins on each latch, and then reverse order to install.

    4. Steps.
    A. This is important and only takes 1 minute. None of the installation videos or info suggested this, and it would have helped me not break mine. Spray each roll pin with some penetrating oil. Hold a rag under the spray to keep it off other surfaces. Wipe it down and let it soak into the roll pins. I really struggled with my first set and the second set I did penetrating oil and it was remarkably easier. Let it set for 30 minutes and return to the project.

    B. Remove the screw and latch from the window. Do this to avoid or any possible chance of breaking the window while you're hammering on the dowel. Set aside. The window will be free of the latch system. Be mindful, the screw has a corresponding anchor nut that may fall out. So if it's loose remove and set it aside so it's not lost.

    Resized_20210609_173738.jpg

    C. Using vice grips, carefully lock it onto the aluminum latch mechanism, just next to the roll pin. This is important, and again no video I saw suggested this important step to prevent breakage. This fragile aluminum can break while you're banging on that roll pin with a dowel. I learned the hard way, and broke one of the arms (lubrication may have also helped). This is how I learned to lubricate it, and support with vice grips. Leave the vice grips in place for the entire installation.

    D. After vice grips are installed for support, carefully use the steel dowel and tap the roll pin out from top to bottom, ensuring it's alignment is correct throughout. Don't hammer away or force it too hard as you will break the mechanism. I broke mine, and had to superglue it back together. The use of oil and vice grips is a must here.
    Resized_20210609_174319.jpg


    E. The latch portion that you removed from the window has a corresponding roll pin. Use the dowel to drive this out. Be careful, this is 20 year old plastic. I put a small chip in mine. It's helpful to set it on a surface that has a hole for the roll pin to come out, such as between two boards or a board with a hole in it, etc.
    Resized_20210609_173127.jpg
    Resized_20210609_174336.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021
  3. Jun 9, 2021 at 6:18 PM
    #3
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Re-installation.

    F. Orient the aluminum piece in the correct way, with the curvature outward and the little horn facing outward and toward the front of the vehicle, like so:

    Resized_20210609_174412.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2021
  4. Jun 9, 2021 at 6:20 PM
    #4
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    G. There are two roll pins. Use the SMALLER rollpin and install that in the corresponding rearward hole on the macaroni piece. The best way is to start it in the hole, line it up, and use channel locks to carefully just squeeze it into place. Be gentle, slow, and steady.

    Resized_20210609_174535.jpg

    Resized_20210609_173402.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2021
  5. Jun 9, 2021 at 6:22 PM
    #5
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    H. Carefully reinstall the LARGER roll pin in the plastic section and thru the forward section of macaroni. Repeat the operation with the channel locks, gently squeezing it into place. The horn should fit into the plastic section.

    Resized_20210609_173456.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2021
  6. Jun 9, 2021 at 6:24 PM
    #6
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    I. You should be able to get the roll pins flush on either but if they aren't flush now is the time to remedy this by gently using the hammer and metal dowel. Tap them flush. Do this BEFORE re-connecting this to the window to avoid any chance of breaking the window.
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2021
  7. Jun 9, 2021 at 6:29 PM
    #7
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    J. You are home-free. Final step. You need to screw the bracket back into the window's corresponding nut. It's a little tricky but reach around to the outside and hold the female portion and get the screw in. Don't over-tighten, just get is snug. You could locktight if you desire.

    Resized_20210609_173738.jpg
    K. Congratulations! You completed the job. Now have a cold one!

    Resized_20210609_174818.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021
    Jack McCarthy and jerryallday like this.
  8. Jun 9, 2021 at 6:31 PM
    #8
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    This is about a $5 solution that can be done in under 30 minutes to fix that nagging cheap broken latch. It's puzzling why Toyota did those, but thankfully it's an easy fix.
     
  9. Jun 10, 2021 at 1:50 PM
    #9
    KK6PD

    KK6PD 2 1 yr. retired . . . after 42 yrs

    Joined:
    May 25, 2021
    Member:
    #63524
    Messages:
    321
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    ROAD
    Upper Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    2003 AC Tundra . . . . 7th owner
    New Tires, Stereo & Speakers,Uni-Strut Tie Down Continue watching THIS SPACE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
    Newbie here, but around for a long time. 2003 AC, and just yesterday my wife opened my, new to me by 3 weeks, AC rear windows. She could not get them closed, I looked at them and noted BROKEN, good something else to fix. This morning I read this thread, and parts are on order.
    Now only 19 left in stock - order soon.
    Looking forward to getting this fixed.
    GREAT write up, super pics, YOU DID A GOOD THING!!
    This does indeed need to be a sticky!
     
    ToyotaJim[OP] likes this.
  10. Jun 10, 2021 at 2:09 PM
    #10
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    7,730
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    Wouldn’t it be easier to take both sides of the latch off the door and do it on a bench or does the latch attached to the door not come off?
     
  11. Jun 10, 2021 at 2:20 PM
    #11
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Your suggestion seems to be far more difficult and risk breaking trim. The part attached to the truck is made of aluminum, and is somehow affixed to the vehicle under trim pieces so it cannot be seen. It would require removing significant sections of plastic molding. Whenever that's done, there's always risk of breaking trim pieces. I don't know what you'd encounter under there or how it's anchored. Maybe screwed, maybe riveted, I don't know. But removing the trim would likely take more time than just doing it the way I wrote up.

    You can see from this picture the anchor is hidden beneath trim.

    Resized_20210609_173915.jpg
     
    Jack McCarthy[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Jun 10, 2021 at 2:24 PM
    #12
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    7,730
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    I must’ve taken off the door panel 20 times already. Easy peasy. It’s only a couple screwed and generic plastic clips holding it on. I just can’t remember how the latch was secured to the door.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021
  13. Jun 10, 2021 at 2:30 PM
    #13
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    If you could provide instructions and how that piece is affixed, I'd be curious because I might like to replace my anchor point since I broke it and had to super-glue it.

    But I don't see the benefit of the added steps because it works as I've instructed. Taking it off, just to put it in a vice, would not really assist in any way. It's anchored very solidly. But it would add steps of removing trim, removing the anchor, and then reinstalling all of that. Triples the time investment...
     
    Jack McCarthy[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Jun 10, 2021 at 3:18 PM
    #14
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2019
    Member:
    #25875
    Messages:
    11,789
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Noah
    Western Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tundra V8 SR5 '03 Corolla Virus
    https://youtu.be/S5V9yRHthZE

    I've had the door panel off too using thus video. I want to say I used a vice with the whole latch removed, but that was years ago. So memory is fuzzy.

    Great write up @ToyotaJim!
     
  15. Jun 10, 2021 at 3:23 PM
    #15
    Lifer

    Lifer New Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2021
    Member:
    #63326
    Messages:
    262
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    Vehicle:
    2000 Ltd 4x4 2008 SR5 4x4 LB 2021 SR 4x4 LB
    Fab tech on the 2000
    My windows rattle with fleabay aluminum ones.....the camover is not right
     
  16. Jun 10, 2021 at 3:47 PM
    #16
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Thanks for posting that video @Tundra2 since it's good to know how to remove the panel and how the mechanism is affixed by 2 10mm bolts to the door. It looks like the man in the video bought and replaced the entire mechanism, so had to remove the panel.

    I don't think that's necessary in this case.
    I'll take mine for a drive and report back, but they feel like they fit perfectly and latch solidly.
     
  17. Jun 10, 2021 at 4:06 PM
    #17
    Lifer

    Lifer New Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2021
    Member:
    #63326
    Messages:
    262
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    Vehicle:
    2000 Ltd 4x4 2008 SR5 4x4 LB 2021 SR 4x4 LB
    Fab tech on the 2000
    Please do. I will use your link if they are good and snug. Thanks.
     
  18. Jun 10, 2021 at 4:31 PM
    #18
    KK6PD

    KK6PD 2 1 yr. retired . . . after 42 yrs

    Joined:
    May 25, 2021
    Member:
    #63524
    Messages:
    321
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    ROAD
    Upper Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    2003 AC Tundra . . . . 7th owner
    New Tires, Stereo & Speakers,Uni-Strut Tie Down Continue watching THIS SPACE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

    In Heath Shelburn's video, "Removing the back door panel" I screen grabbed this pic that shows the two fasteners, whether they be bolts or studs, too low of resolution to determine, that hold this handle to the frame. However when I pop my interior for the new Sony head-unit and all speaker install, I will update with a much better pic, and what is what! At least this current pic gives an idea how the handle is affixed!
     
  19. Jun 10, 2021 at 9:03 PM
    #19
    MNtundra

    MNtundra New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2019
    Member:
    #29684
    Messages:
    161
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tony
    Minnesnowta
    Vehicle:
    01' Tundra AC 4x4, 04' CRV 4WD
    Bilstein 5100's, 4runner Wheels 31" BFG, Rear Seat Delete
    I did mine this way... Door panel pops on off easily once panel screws are all removed...
     
    Jack McCarthy[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Jun 10, 2021 at 9:15 PM
    #20
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
    Member:
    #45547
    Messages:
    228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Again, no need. Taking off the door panel (and the 10mm bolts) (and haveing to reinstall it all) more than doubles the chore and risks breaking plastic clips.
     
  21. Jun 10, 2021 at 9:56 PM
    #21
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2019
    Member:
    #25875
    Messages:
    11,789
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Noah
    Western Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tundra V8 SR5 '03 Corolla Virus
    I understand where you're coming from on the clips, but someone may decide that installing the pin will be easier for them with the latch removed. If that's the case, that's how they will do it.

    We should be reporting multiple ways to do the same task if it's something small, and unbothersome like this. "The reader" whomever they may be can decide for themselves which way to proceed with.

    My rear quarter glass window latches were broken for years, and were never opened. They stayed latched down tight because I finangled that lever we replace into the "closed" position. Even after I fixed the windows they were rarely opened. I've never seen anybody use those windows unless they were camping, and wanted to circulate air flow.
     
    Jack McCarthy and BubbaW like this.
  22. Jun 13, 2021 at 3:00 AM
    #22
    First Gen Tundra Guy

    First Gen Tundra Guy New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2021
    Member:
    #64137
    Messages:
    19
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2001 SR5 2001 Limited
    Did mine in April on my 2001 Limited, both windows, 45 minutes, replaced them with new latches, and had time to clean all the crud out of the door panels.
    Easy job.
     
    ToyotaJim[OP] and Tundra2 like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top