1st Gen Toyota Tundra Aeroshell Build

[BamZipPow]

You could make the rear window into 3 pieces like I did fer my aero cap rear. You will end up with 2 static pieces but you can open the middle piece without it catching on the sides.

[freebeard]

If the hinge line were 2-3" lower so the top part tilts in, or...

If the hinge line is out at the edge of the cap so it's swing is down and out, or...

If the hinge arm was offset like a car door hinge, or...

If there was a trick 4-bar linkage on the inner eave of the cap holding onto the edge of the window....

Are you going to go for brass or black anodized finish, or what?

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

You could make the rear window into 3 pieces like I did fer my aero cap rear. You will end up with 2 static pieces but you can open the middle piece without it catching on the sides.

I think I like this idea better than messing up the nice lines of that back edge.

Alternately, maybe just make the back glass easily removable (like attach it at three points with something like the TR-3 side window things) and use the tailgate for quick in/out?

Sam

[t vago]

I have to finish the design work on my articulated hinges for the bedcap itself. The rear wall on my aerocap does not move. The idea was to let the entire aerocap swing up and rearward, kind of like a hood.

Maybe you can do the same?

[Macskyver]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

You could make the rear window into 3 pieces like I did fer my aero cap rear. You will end up with 2 static pieces but you can open the middle piece without it catching on the sides.

I think this might be my solution. Thanks.

[Macskyver]

Originally Posted by freebeard

If the hinge line were 2-3" lower so the top part tilts in, or...

If the hinge line is out at the edge of the cap so it's swing is down and out, or...

If the hinge arm was offset like a car door hinge, or...

If there was a trick 4-bar linkage on the inner eave of the cap holding onto the edge of the window....

Are you going to go for brass or black anodized finish, or what?

Those are all workable ideas. I want to keep things as simple as possible so I don't want to do any complicated hinging system. Dropping the hinge a few inches would probably be the simplest overall solution, but then I will be cutting into my rearward visibility. It will also make it harder to crawl in and out of the bed which is already going to be tricky as I will have a raised sleeping platform.

I haven't decided what finish I am going to use. The window handle and key locks I got are chromed. The piano hinge I have is just bare aluminum. I might get a different hinge or paint the one I have. I will probably mock it up as is and see how it looks.

[Macskyver]

Originally Posted by samwichse

I think I like this idea better than messing up the nice lines of that back edge.

Alternately, maybe just make the back glass easily removable (like attach it at three points with something like the TR-3 side window things) and use the tailgate for quick in/out?

Sam

I think I am in agreement regarding the 3 piece rear window. I can't rely on just the tailgate for access. My sleeping platform will be at the top of the wheel wells and the top of the mattress will be another 6" above that. It is already going to be fairly tight getting in and out with the full rear window out of the way.

[Macskyver]

Originally Posted by t vago

I have to finish the design work on my articulated hinges for the bedcap itself. The rear wall on my aerocap does not move. The idea was to let the entire aerocap swing up and rearward, kind of like a hood.

Maybe you can do the same?

I don't think I can do that easily at this stage. There would have to be some significant changes to my design to make that work properly. My cap also relies on being firmly attached to the bed rails for strength. It is way too flimsy/flexy by itself to be a hinged piece.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by myself

If the hinge line is out at the edge of the cap so it's swing is down and out, or...

Consider steel strap hinges with the hinge line below and forward of the eave line, with the leaves normally open. As the window swings open [up to 45° above horizontal] the leaves close, and there is a magnet to hold each one.

Tune the magnets' strength and if you forget and drive off with the window up, the air pressure would push it closed.

[ChazInMT]

Honestly the eave isn't doing squat diddly....just lop it off to an inch or 2 and that'll free up space for your window. When you extend panels beyond the rest you start the diminishing returns cycle. The eave is providing a tiny gain, or, it could be costing you a tiny loss in Cd. Soooo, just get it gone and let the window flip on up.