Caution: It can be dangerous to drive with the cargo area covered and the tailgate and the midgate open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can not see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the cargo covers on and the tailgate and midgate open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the midgate:

Your vehicle is equipped with a midgate and a removable rear glass panel. The midgate allows you to extend the length of your vehicle's cargo area.

The following are the main components of the midgate system:

1. 
   
   

   Latch Levers

2. Grab Handles

3. Glass-Catch Release Button

4. Glass Lock Knobs

5. Window Retaining Tabs

6. Midgate Release Handle

7. Window Alignment Arrows

Rear Glass Removal and Storage

Caution: 

Do not remove the rear glass when the rear defroster is on. If you remove the rear glass with the rear defroster on, you may see a discharge spark coming from the latch area.

To remove the rear glass do the following:

1. Fold the rear seats. See Rear Seat Operation for more information. The front seats may have to be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats to fold completely.

Although the rear glass can be removed without folding the rear seats, you will not be able to access the rear glass storage pocket. Be sure to fold the seats before removing the rear glass.




2. Squeeze and pull down the latch levers (A), located near the upper corners of the rear glass, to unlatch. Once unlatched, the glass-catch release button (C) will catch the rear glass and prevent it from falling forward. Follow the next step to release the button and remove the rear glass.



3. While holding the rear glass in place, press the glass-catch release button (C) and pull the top of the rear glass toward you using the grab handle(s) (B) located at the top of the rear glass.



4. With the rear glass tilted toward you, lift it out from the lower window frame channel. Use the grab handles to assist you in removing the rear glass.



5. Load the rear glass into the storage pocket in the midgate, guiding the lower edge of the rear glass behind the three rear glass retaining tabs (E).

Hold the rear glass flat against the storage pocket, with grab handles facing you, until the next step.




6. Turn both glass lock knobs (D), located at both top corners of the storage pocket, to the locked position. Push in on the corner of the rear glass to allow the lock knob to engage more easily.



7. Once both glass lock knobs are in the locked position, the rear glass is securely stored.
8. Push both latch levers up to the locked position. You should hear a click when each latch lever locks correctly.

The rear seats can be returned to the normal position when the rear glass is out and stored properly in the storage pocket.

Reinstalling the Rear Glass

To reinstall the rear glass, do the following:

1. Squeeze and pull down the latch levers (A), located near the upper corners of the rear glass, to unlatch.



2. Hold the rear glass in place with one hand and turn the glass lock knobs, located at both top corners of the glass storage pocket, to the unlocked position.
3. Pull the rear glass out from the storage pocket using the grab handles.



4. With the rear glass tilted at an angle, place the bottom edge in the lower channel of the window frame.




Be sure to align the rear glass side-to-side using the alignment arrows (G).

5. Apply a firm downward pressure and then push the rear glass flat against the window frame. Use the grab handles at the top of the rear glass to assist you.



6. Push the rear glass flat against the window frame and push each latch lever up until it locks. You should hear a click when each latch lever locks correctly.

Lowering the Midgate with the Rear Glass in Place

The midgate can be lowered to allow the cargo area of your vehicle to extend into the cab. The rear glass can be either installed in its normal position, or it can be removed and stored in the rear glass storage pocket.

To lower the midgate, do the following:

1. Fold the rear seats. The front seats might have to be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats to fold. See Rear Seat Operation for more information.

Rear Glass in Normal Position




2. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold the midgate securely so it does not fall forward. Turn the midgate handle clockwise and pull the midgate toward you.



3. Lower the midgate until it is flat.

Lowering the Midgate with the Rear Glass in the Storage Pocket

This procedure works the same as the procedure described previously (with the rear glass installed), but when you lower the midgate with the rear glass in the stored position, you will notice that the entire crossbar (the bar with the release handle) will lower with the midgate. This is completely normal; however, since the crossbar lowers with the midgate, it will be heavier. As you lower the midgate in this configuration be ready for the extra weight and be careful not to let the midgate fall as you lower it.

Raising the Midgate

To return the midgate to its normal position, raise the midgate up with a firm swinging motion (this will help to ensure that the midgate closes with enough force to engage the latches) until it latches into place securely.

If the rear glass is removed and you would like to put it back, do so using the instructions given previously.