I was on my way home today and was dreading the heat. Got to thinking, if there was a way to make the 2 back windows of my Focus open like on SUVs and minivans. Anyone know how much work will be involved and if itll be worth it? I think itll be a pretty sweet mod def one of a kind as well.

i dont think the lemon is worth the squeeze on this one in my opinion.... if its hot out theres only so much moving hot air can do to help keep you cool. Roll em up and put that A/C on if its that hot

actually, i wouldn't think it to be too hard, you would have to get some tubing for insulation, a universal hinge, like 20 bucks, and the window latch. i don't see why u couldn't.

You could probably adapt the hinge and latch mechanisms from another vehicle. The hard part might be getting the seals to work properly, and also drilling the holes in the glass to mount the hinge.

I've wanted this for a long time and it's one of my big gripes with many hatchbacks.
My old Geo Metro had back windows that opened, it's crazy how much more air flows through the car. There was only 1 hole drilled through the window, for the latch. The hinge on the front was glued on and held to the body with 3 hidden screws.

But with newer cars I wonder how much of the chassis stiffness would be compromised? I assume our windows are glued in for a reason and add some degree of rigidity, how much I couldn't guess.

Can it be done, of course and I don't think it'd be that hard to do either. Getting the proper angles for the latch to work correct would be the toughest part but even that isn't to difficult.

^^ I am more than positive the windows are glued in so removal and reinstall is easier. A curved peice of glass gives no structural rigidity. I am 99% sure of that, but who knows, maybe the glass does help. If it does, it would be so insignificant that you wouldnt notice it.

I think this would be an awesome idea. The problem I forsee is drilling the window glass. If you have ever tried drilling glass you know how hard it is to keep the glass from shattering. Glass is classified as extremely brittle (thus why I think it gives no support) and is very hard to drill. If you do attempt this, get a lot of spare panes of glass to practice on first. Also, when you are drilling, apply minimum pressure and have your garden hose running water straight onto the drill site to keep it cool. If the glass gets too hot in a particular point (and it will due to friction) it will shatter the entire piece.

I have tried drilling glass a few times (succeding once with the method above) but that was all with smaller pieces, nothing large and curved.

Yeah its something to think about maybe plexy glass would be the way to go since its a little easier to cut. Just a thought for now seeing how i just got the car lol. Thanks for all the input guys appreciate it.