Is open rear window just as good as the tilted-open sunroof ?

[Wayfaring Ranger]

Been thinking about this for a while so I figured I'd ask the forum, too.

I'm a big fan of a sunroof and almost always have it tiltled open, even in the rain/snow/freezing cold, as the discrete, quiet airflow it provides is much better than cracking a window in anything other than nice weather. On perfect days I'll open it completely and have all the windows down as well.

Now that i'm considering a truck, I'm wondering if I need the sunroof with the addition of the rear window. I haven't ridden in many trucks recently to really have a good opinion on the value the rear-window brings.

In your opinion, is the rear window being open just as good as the tilted-open sunroof? Do you see a need for both? Are they even comparable? I'm trying to figure out if I want to avoid the upcharge of adding the sunroof to whatever truck I buy.

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[Deleted member 5785]

Either works, sometimes I use both. The sunroof is a little easier to control air flow. Sunroof is nice for summer venting

 

[TheQuixotic1]

Been thinking about this for a while so I figured I'd ask the forum, too.

I'm a big fan of a sunroof and almost always have it tiltled open, even in the rain/snow/freezing cold, as the discrete, quiet airflow it provides is much better than cracking a window in anything other than nice weather. On perfect days I'll open it completely and have all the windows down as well.

Now that i'm considering a truck, I'm wondering if I need the sunroof with the addition of the rear window. I haven't ridden in many trucks recently to really have a good opinion on the value the rear-window brings.

In your opinion, is the rear window being open just as good as the tilted-open sunroof? Do you see a need for both? Are they even comparable? I'm trying to figure out if I want to avoid the upcharge of adding the sunroof to whatever truck I buy.

I'm no scientist (first ever to admit that on an internet discussion board, lol), but I think:

Sunroof/moonroof used in conjunction with windows is better for overall cabin ventilation and climate control: the side windows pull air in, air circulates in the cabin, and air is sucked out through the top. More even cabin climate control, but left unchecked and your hair can look like you sent yourself through a twister.

Rear-window is better for feeling the breeze and avoiding the buffeting effect/Helmholtz Resonance: side windows pull air in and the rear-window escape point makes it pass by you and immediately exit out the rear. Wind can blast you in the face even harder (pro and con, situationally) and can also pull a fart out of the cabin PRONTO.

Personally, I hope the 6g Ranger offers a sunroof/moonroof of some kind and a powered sliding rear window (think only manual sliding was offered on 5g). Sunroof/moonroofs are a luxury for certain, but if I am planning on owning it for 10+ years then it's a worthwhile luxury to have IMHO. That extra dopamine and serotonin you can occasionally get here in the Midwest on those "perfect" weather days are worth the price tag to me.

 

[alrashid2]

Here we are 3 years later haha. Got my '26 XLT with power sliding rear window but had to remove the power moonroof from my order due to it holding up production 3+ additional months...

I don't miss the sunroof. I love the power rear slider. But I'll say it's not like for like. Like OP originally mentioned, the sunroof could be cracked for a soothing air flow. The rear slider doesn't really have the same effect. And for whatever reason, I'm finding the air circulating in the opposite direction lately: in through the rear, and out the drivers side window...

It's really only a bummer for when I have my weekly cigar in the truck. Sunroof was much better at ventilating the smoke!

 

[superj]

The air always comes in the back windows of a truck when you are moving and have another windows open. The low pressure spot right behind the cab causes the air to roll right there so it will just flow into the cab, also low pressure, when the window is open.

If the side windows are closed, then the cab is high pressure so air doesnt come in.

 

[alrashid2]

That's good to know! Why do people always rave about the rear windows in truck helping with ventilation then? Is there a trick to get it to suck out the back?

 

[bigb]

I love the rear window and use it all the time in mild weather. however I have a A.R.E. topper which changes the airflow, when the rear window is open along with a cab window there is a nice, gentle feeling of air movement. Another benefit of the topper is I can leave the rear window open while parked.

Can't say if it's better than a sun roof for everyone though because I don't like sun roofs and the only one we have is on a 2008 Infiniti and we never use it.

 

[alrashid2]

Can I ask you guys a question? It's not directly related to this post, but I noticed my rear window seems very whiny - wasnt sure if it was normal for the motor to sound like this?

I have a post made but havent gotten much traction
https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/is-your-power-rear-window-this-whiny-too.32582/

 

[Granite Stater]

I've never had a sunroof so I can't spek to that, but I've loved rear windows since my '05 Sport Trac. That one had a very wide window that slid down into the back of the cab, which I think is better than the current windows that are both smaller and move from side to side. Airflow was great in the truck then.

I think I get why they open sideways now in that it can't get stuck open behind the rear seats and almost completely inaccessible. But I do wish the back windows were larger than they are, as it seems to impede smooth airflow.

 

[superj]

You should be able to open the back windows and barely open a front windows so you get a nice flow of air instead of a blast of air

 

[Arsenall11]

No! First truck I have had in 20 years that does not have a pano or at a minimum the old Lariat tinny roof. Why don’t I have one, Ford won’t let me.

 

[gtyates]

When I had my Sport Trac (my son has it now) I would crack open the rear window in the summer to help cool it off faster. press the down button once and it dropped the window about 3 inches, which was just enough. Once cabin temp began to drop I would close it. I do the same thing with my '24 Ranger Lariat. My '19 Ranger Lariat did not have a powered rear window, so I rarely used it. Our Explorer has a pano roof, but we rarely use it except in very nice weather. Opening the screen to allow the roof to open lets in more heat that it benefits to open it up.

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