Hello.

An upstanding member of my local community, no doubt excited about the holiday season, recently placed a hammer or like object upon the rear windscreen of our wagon with great force. There's a hole, obviously, and the glass is shattered, but intact.

We've been told by two local glass replacement outfits that this is a tough find, and haven't had any luck getting it replaced-- though we have had to work around Thanksgiving. I don't even want to talk about what they wish to charge us. Depressed, I've looked around for pick-n-pull lift gates (online, only) thinking maybe the glass could be extracted from there, or, if the gods are smiling on me, I could get a matching color (black). The prices are considerably lower, it seems, for the whole unit. Anyone know why?

Just out of curiosity, I wonder if any of you who have replaced the lift gates in your cars could tell me how hard it is to do. I am a mechanical novice-- the most technical thing I've done so far is replace the front pads and rotors--, working in my backyard. Is it very complicated? A two-man job (must be heavy)? What do you do about the lock? Can you swap them out?

Any information is much appreciated-- on possible courses of action or the difficulty level of the job. And if anyone has a 93 lift gate/cargo door (whatever they're called) for sale in or around Southern New England-- we're in Providence-- please let me know.

cheers,

cg