First gen 4runner tailgate guts

[broad.named.maude]

I just put a soft top on my 1988 runner and I'm trying to figure out how to take the guts out of my tailgate with still being able to open/close it. Any suggestions? I'm sure there are other people who have done it. I took off the plate that covers the regulator, motor, and glass. I tried to pull the plastic trim on top of the tailgate but it doesn't seem to wanna to come off. Can anyone please help out?

 

[WPG93]

Not sure where you are referring to, maybe if you take a picture? I assume you mean take the window and motor out and just have it function as a pickup tailgate? I've heard you can use a pickup tailgate as a swap, that might be an entertaining option for you if you don't want the fuss of putting this one back together to get a window again.

Does your window operate?

 

[RAD4Runner]

Checkout Cory88's thread on Yotatech. He gutted approx 20 pounds of parts out of the tailgate.
coryc85's 1988 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 42 - YotaTech Forums

The roll-up rear window is such a stupid idea on a utilitarian truck, when the more expensive FJ60 has a simple flip-up rear window.
I wanna delete it and turn tailgate into storage, too but I have other higher priority things I gotta do.