Driving with liftgate open

[Crockett84]

Has anyone driven their hardtop with the top liftgate open? I was wondering if it is strong enough to remain open during normal driving (say under 60mph).
When the front panels are removed the cockpit has tremendous turbulence because the air has nowhere to go. I am curious if opening the liftgate would relieve that air pressure and make a smoother airflow.

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[JediMcMuffin]

Very, very, very, bad idea. If it was fold down, sure.

 

[Deleted member 32220]

Did it with every jeep I had, no problems, not sure which part will fall of the ford first.

 

[Laredo]

Has anyone driven their hardtop with the top liftgate open? I was wondering if it is strong enough to remain open during normal driving (say under 60mph).
When the front panels are removed the cockpit has tremendous turbulence because the air has nowhere to go. I am curious if opening the liftgate would relieve that air pressure and make a smoother airflow.

@JediMcMuffin is right, don't do it. Here's what happens

Look at the bracket that fastens the window gas-strut to the MIC. There's no there there. After a few bumps in the road that bracket will break off, as shown in the link above. The MIC "hardtop" is a lot like paper-mache' except using plastic resin

 

[Calm horse]

Go ahead and try it and report back to us and let us know how it went!

 

[Crockett84]

@JediMcMuffin is right, don't do it. Here's what happens

Look at the bracket that fastens the window gas-strut to the MIC. There's no there there. After a few bumps in the road that bracket will break off, as shown in the link above. The MIC "hardtop" is a lot like paper-mache' except using plastic resin

Yikes! After checking out Laredo's post it isn't worth the gamble.

 

[projectbadlands]

I would replace the "paper mache" part with "wet napkins" to be a little more accurate lol

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

I don't see how this would even be possible, let alone legal. Just asking for damage.

 

[SuperFord]

Very, very, very, bad idea. If it was fold down, sure.

it is totally do-able. I have done it on my FE. I think some of you must be confusing ”liftgate” or back hatch glass with the side opening “tailgate” or back door.

I cannot speak to the long term effects to the glass mounts or MIC top as mentioned by others above.

 

[Brockdog12]

I've driven with the rear glass open.

 

[SnowshoeBronco]

I've done it, once. I would not recommend. Every bump had me cringing thinking it would slam shut and shatter.,

 

[FreddieLee]

I saw a chick driving around in a 2-door with the lift gate up. This was in city traffic, low speed, and the glass wasn't bouncing up and down.

No doubt that if it were jarred up and down, it would probably shatter.

 

[coadr]

Woof, I drove on the highway with it open for about 15 miles when I bought the roof rack from my local dealer because it wouldn't fit any other way. Seems I dodged a bullet here, will not be doing that again.

 

[Dral97]

I'd say no. I've seen it brought up with Jeeps with the sky one touch top. You can put the top back and take out the rear quarter windows out on SOT wranglers, but the back glass isn't removable in any way (well, it is, but it's not meant to be).

I wish both the bronco and wrangler had a way to have the glass slide down into the tailgate via the old school late 90s early 00s 4-runners. However, it would then make it more difficult to open the whole back up without turning on the vehicle.

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