Split Clamshell Tailgate Layout and Glass Variations
The upward-opening top hatch on this SUV holds stationary, urethane-bonded back glass that works alongside a separate fold-down lower tailgate. Under the industry NAGS system, this rear window carries part number FB21743, matching the factory rear glass dimensions across the entire run from the early 2.5T and T6 models up through the later 3.2 and V8 editions. Factory configurations differ primarily by visible light transmission, offering either a standard light green tint or a dark factory privacy tint that matches the rear passenger quarter windows.
Every variant features an integrated electric defroster grid printed across the inner face. Because this is a split tailgate design, the glass moves independently from the lower half of the cargo gate. It does not drop, slide, or vent. A factory-drilled pass-through hole sits centered near the bottom edge of the glass, fitted with a rubber sealing grommet through which the rear wiper arm drive spindle connects to the internal wiper motor.
Interior Tailgate Trim, Wiper Hardware, and Roof Hinge Wiring
Servicing the rear window hardware involves removing the plastic upper window surround trim and the inner panel of the top hatch, both secured with Torx screws and stiff steel spring clips. The wiper motor assembly bolts directly to the inner metal framing of the liftgate, with its drive shaft extending outward through the pre-drilled glass hole. Directly above the top edge of the glass, the roof spoiler houses the center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL) alongside the rear window washer nozzle.
Whenever I replace this rear window, I supply aftermarket glass manufactured by established producers like XYG, FYG, PGW, or Pilkington, ensuring the frit border shields the bonding area while matching factory heater tab locations. On forum threads, owners frequently track down rear defroster failures that turn out to have nothing to do with broken grid lines on the glass itself. Instead, the continuous bending of the flexible rubber wiring harness boot between the roof edge and the upper tailgate frame fatigues the copper strands inside, breaking the electrical feed to the heated grid tabs.
Another issue common to the upper hatch involves the washer fluid hose. The plastic elbow connectors clipped near the wiper motor and roof hinge can grow brittle and crack. When the washer stalk is engaged, fluid can leak inside the upper tailgate shell over internal electrical connectors rather than spraying onto the outer glass surface.
Does the rear wiper motor mount directly onto the glass?
No. The wiper motor is secured to the inner steel frame of the upper liftgate. Only the drive shaft passes through the factory-cut hole in the lower perimeter of the back glass, sealed against water leaks by a dedicated rubber grommet.
Can broken rear defroster solder tabs on the glass be repaired?
If a defroster electrical spade terminal has broken away from the ceramic bus bar on the inner surface of the backlite, it can often be reattached using a conductive silver-bearing epoxy or resoldered with low-temperature solder, provided the bus bar itself has not pulled away from the glass surface.
Is the radio antenna built into the tailgate glass?
The upper horizontal lines of the printed defroster array double as an AM/FM diversity antenna network. An antenna amplifier module mounted inside the tailgate frame connects directly to these isolated grid traces, running signal wiring through the upper roof harness to the main audio tuner.
