Rear slider or Defrosted Rear Window?

[abdiver]

Is a slider worth getting in a Quad Cab or is the defroster for the solid rear window a more useful feature? I understand from dealer you can't get the defrost with a slider. Or should I just save my money on these options and get a stock plain rear window. Like to know you experiance and advice



Thanks

 

[BrentKaiser]

Comes down to personal preference. I had my last truck for 7 years and the only time the slider was opened was when my kids wanted to climb back and forth between the cab and the bed. Defroster if you live where you would need it.

 

[jcarey]

My wife wanted the slider. I wanted the defrost. We got the slider, and I'm glad we did. We use our slider a lot in cool to warm weather. Great air flow with just the windows cracked or just using the fan to brng in some outside air. Cuts down big time on the AC's impact on mileage.



Also, we found that the rear window clears up pretty quickly using just the defrost setting with heat or AC.



Hope this helps.



Jim

 

[ceaman]

Ive always thought the slider was useless unless its used by the kids or the dog to run between the cab and the bed. The latch breaks fairly easyly and i think id just prefer the defroster.

 

[klenger]

The slider is useless in a quad cab if you don't have rear passengers because you can't reach it anyway. Don't need a defroster here in Tucson. YMMV.

 

[opjohnny]

To get the rear tinted window, don't you have to get either one or the no option is clear glass? I have seen trucks with no tint or defrost and a clear back window with tinted rear door windows.

 

[Bertram65]

The rear slider is great, if you have your side windows open you will get pressure buffeting unless have and open the slider, I am 5' 10" and I can reach back and open the slider without any problem while driving.

 

[Rockcrawler]

I had a slider for the kid cap thing- still have the slider/ no cap- (actually- the cap is listed in the classifieds)



The slider was fixed 3 times for massive leaks before DC installed a new one and it seems to be fixed now. Doubt I'll ever use the slider again.

 

[TBrennan]

It's really personal preference but I had a slider on my '96 and it never got used. I put in an electric slider that I could use from the front seat. I still rarely used it. I got the defroster on my new truck and I've already used it more than I ever did my slider.

 

[JWChessell]

When I bought my '03 3500 QC LWB in July '03, it came with a defroster. I wanted a slider because I was puting a shell on the bed. The Dodge/Mopar slider was available ONLY with dark tint; I would not have been able to see out of the rear window of the shell (also tinted) with a tinted slider. I had an aftermarket slider installed for arouind $275. 00. It does not have a defroster. I've had no problems; haven't had any need to defrost same either, and we drove across country in Dec. '03 and Jan. '04. Have been in Wash. St. since Sept. , still no defrost problems. Every once-in-a-while I carry something long and can slide it through into the cab so it doesn't hang too far over the tailgate. Been happy with the choice so far.

 

[Kirwin]

Sliding rear windows

Just one more thought, With the slider open ANYTHING loose in the bed tends to come into the cab and join you. Dust, rain, sand, what ever you had in the bed last! I'd gotten the slider in the last two trucks. Had it open mayby half a dozen times. Might be different if you had a cap or tonneau cover I don't know. IMHO they are useless unless you are going to let the kids or the dog go between the box and cab via the rear window. Ken Irwin

 

[wild-t]

I had a cap with out the rear door (the bed was open in the back) and never had a problem of things blowing into the cab from the bed (on my old pickup). Was not aware that this could happen with out the cap... but the times I used the slider without the cap (on my current pickup) I didn't have anything blow in. I was on the highway and not on a dirt road however.



I found the slider usefull when I have 4 people in the truck on long trips and not enough room for the large cooler.

 

[Crunch]

Is a slider worth getting in a Quad Cab or is the defroster for the solid rear window a more useful feature? I understand from dealer you can't get the defrost with a slider. Or should I just save my money on these options and get a stock plain rear window. Like to know you experiance and advice

Too bad Dodge doesn't offer the same option Toyota does: A power rear windshield that drops down like a side winidow. If they offered that you would be able to have both.

 

[TBrennan]

One more negative on the slider I forgot to mention, it is the weakest point of attack for anyone trying to break into your truck. Its trivial to pop the latch, get in, and you can't even tell the truck has been broken into.

 

[evldsl]

Oo. The rear slider of course, how else are you going to throw your empty's (beer cans) into the bed of the truck while driving.

 

[Helohauler]

Is there a Sliding Glass company selling an electric-operated slider for our Rams?

Check past threads.

I recall a group buy for that item which had a positive review.

Good luck

 

[Bertram65]

If you drive with a side window or two open the pressure change can be very annoying, try it with the slider open, it makes a huge difference. It has been discussed a number of times on here, I think some without the slider even took thier trucks back to the dealer thinking there was something wrong with them. If you never drive with your windows open then it is not a problem.

 

[KCJackson]

I actually have used my slider on my 96 for ventilation on nice days, and I'll be getting a slider on the 05. The rear window clears itself quite well of snow and ice because of the reverse airflow and the cab heat - my rear window clears te fastest and stays clear the best in a falling-snow situation. A defroster has proven totally unnecesary for this Ram as well as my previous F150s which also had sliders.



The windows I almost never opened were the rear-side vent windows on the 96 Club Cab... although I would be more likely to open rear windows on the 05 Quad because they go down in the traditional manner.

 

[PJ]

My wife wanted the slider. I wanted the defrost. We got the slider, and I'm glad we did. We use our slider a lot in cool to warm weather. Great air flow with just the windows cracked or just using the fan to brng in some outside air. Cuts down big time on the AC's impact on mileage.



Also, we found that the rear window clears up pretty quickly using just the defrost setting with heat or AC.



Hope this helps.



Jim

For the record, its better on fuel to leave your windows UP and the A/C on. Ive tried it and it is true.

 

[Marty1]

I have a defroster but rarely use it. My reason for getting it is because statistics show that 90% of all truck break-ins are through the rear slider.