Help with Window Removal, tailgate, stuck down, no motor

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Linney

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Hi! My 1996 Bronco.. tailgate window is stuck down. Motor is bad, I've tried jumping it directly, there is no motor function at all. I need help with GLASS removal. I've tried everything to get the motor to budge, no avail. The only way I can replace the motor is by removing the window... but how? Ive watched every video about switches and wiring and jumping the motor, I am passed that they all failed. I must remove the glass and can't find a single video or forum about the glass removal in down position. All I’ve found is to magically remove the 4 bolts at the bottom, which is impossible based on their direction, I can remove the nuts but not the bolts.
 
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Linney

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Hi! My 1996 Bronco.. tailgate window is stuck down. Motor is bad, I've tried jumping it directly, there is no motor function at all. I need help with GLASS removal. I've tried everything to get the motor to budge, no avail. The only way I can replace the motor is by removing the window... but how? Ive watched every video about switches and wiring and jumping the motor, I am passed that they all failed. I must remove the glass and can't find a single video or forum about the glass removal in down position. All I’ve found is to magically remove the 4 bolts at the bottom, which is impossible based on their direction, I can remove the nuts but not the bolts.
Here are pictures of the bolts I can’t figure out a way to remove
 

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Tiha

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Do you have the access panel off the inside of the tailgate? I was thinking you could reach the motor bolts there. Need to find a picture.

Those bolts you posted, you can remove the glass like that, but those are not always bolts, they might be rivets.
 

johnnyreb

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Do you have the access panel off the inside of the tailgate? I was thinking you could reach the motor bolts there. Need to find a picture.

Those bolts you posted, you can remove the glass like that, but those are not always bolts, they might be rivets.
Also hope you have a table close buy to lay the glass on. Hopefully you have someone to help take it out too.
 

Timothyfugate

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Hi! My 1996 Bronco.. tailgate window is stuck down. Motor is bad, I've tried jumping it directly, there is no motor function at all. I need help with GLASS removal. I've tried everything to get the motor to budge, no avail. The only way I can replace the motor is by removing the window... but how? Ive watched every video about switches and wiring and jumping the motor, I am passed that they all failed. I must remove the glass and can't find a single video or forum about the glass removal in down position. All I’ve found is to magically remove the 4 bolts at the bottom, which is impossible based on their direction, I can remove the nuts but not the bolts.
I beleave if you disconnect the motor you can push it up by hand but you need something to support the window while tail gate is open you can I have done this little peace of advice if you change one motor change them all T.F
 

lynchsg

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Originally those were rivets from the factory. Somebody put bolts in. If you don't have any luck physically pulling the glass up enough to get to the motor, then you might have to get creative.
Drill windows in the tailgate skin so you can drill out the bolts holding the glass. Drill from the inside of the tailgate if possible so body work after is minimal.
 

Shadow617

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Here are pictures of the bolts I can’t figure out a way to remove
Remove the nuts on the slide brackets, they are studs coming from the bracket. Don't worry about the rivets that hold the bracket to the glass (or nuts and bolts if someone has changed them). You'll need to remove the two weather strips to get the glass out with the lower brackets attached. Or drill out the rivets once you remove the four nuts holding it to the slide brackets and then slide the glass out.
 

TIGR96

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I beleave if you disconnect the motor you can push it up by hand but you need something to support the window while tail gate is open you can I have done this little peace of advice if you change one motor change them all T.F
That is what I did. I didn't even have to disconnect the motor. I just took off the interior trim panel and laid down in the "way back" and physically pushed the window up.
 

willdy

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The motor drives 2 arms that are attached to the window base bracket with plastic slide clips in a '81. I believe it's the same in your '96. The arms push-lock into the plastic clips and are removed by pulling apart. I used a smallish prybar and largish screwdriver to leverage them apart. Light it up well so you don't accidentally pry against the glass. They will "pop" apart. After the window is released from the arms, you can now push it up out of the way by hand. I've read that others prop it up with a piece of wood but I prefer to work on it with the tailgate down while supporting the window with a plastic garbage can. If you can't squeeze them back together by hand when you're done, use channel locks or vice grips to press-lock them back in place (again being mindful to steer clear of the glass). If you plan to keep your truck for a while, you might consider replacing the plastic clips before re-assembly.
 
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