Replace back window side panel

I can't seem to find a good guide specific to Tocomas for this. I have a 2006 taco base model with the 3 piece back window including the slider and there's plenty of info on how to replace the slider but I need to replace the panel on the drivers side. My local auto glass company wants to charge me to replace the whole window for 1 bad panel and it's ~$600 claiming that they "aren't able to obtain just 1 panel and have to buy it as a unit".cheapest I found was ~$450 but I found the panel I need on eBay for $100 so I want to know what I'm getting myself into if I were to try it myself?

Do I need to remove the entire back window to put the new panel in?
Is it glued in or just sealed?
If it's glued, what kind of glue do I need to put it back in?

I've looked and I know I'm probably just not using the right keywords but if there is a guide already or even better a YouTube video on how to do it, that would be awesome.

Thank you.

 

Someone posted here just last week stating that they had to replace the whole window - all three panels. Apparently that's the only way to do it.

 

Well if that's the case it can just stay broken.. lol. It's being held in by the tint so I'm good for a while at least.

 

First gens had the option to buy the glass panels separately as the frame could be disassembled. However when they moved to a urethaned back glass (as opposed to gasket-set) with the second gens, it's a fully encapsulated glass that can't be disassembled and the entire assembly must be replaced.

 

Unfortunately not the answer I wanted but it does answer my question. Thank you

 

While it's not supposed to be a 'component' unit..........

Is it a perfectly flat piece?

If yes, a real glass man can cut a new piece to fit, remove the old bits and install the new. You just have to find the shop/guy willing to do so.

Find where your local hot rodders hang out, and start asking for references to glass shops/techs that make/fix things for them.

Otherwise, start shopping wrecking yards and see if you get lucky.

 

@Clearwater, unfortunately he won't be able to do that. The tempered glass is bonded to the polymer "molding". I say that as I am an auto glass tech that works at a Toyota collision center with 13 years experience. With the first generation tacomas, it had a metal frame (instead of polymer) held in by a rubber gasket and could be broken down piece by piece....but then toyota decided they could make more money by making it all one piece and urethane it to the body. Break one piece, and you gotta buy the whole sha-bang.

OEM will be pricey, but there are aftermarket brands available (i.e. C.R. Laurence)...however, as always with aftermarket products, fitment might not be exact so make sure the glass shop warranties their work!

 

Just out of curiosity is the one piece rear window any cheaper?

 

I'm sure it is, as it's a lot cheaper to produce. As to how much, I'm not sure...I'm not a parts guy. I do believe that the one-piece isn't available in privacy tint...only green.