Does the back hatch window on an 04 tahoe stay propped out when you open it? Or is it required that one holds it open when accessing back through hatch window?

 

Nope, you need to replace the struts.

 

As @kevinpk said, there are two struts that hold it up. Here is a link for them: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...424247&jsn=971

 

We stopped using the hatch window glass on our 2005 in 2010, when one of the coiled heater wires pulled off of the glass (common); we just raised the entire hatch. Earlier in 2020 the rear glass did spontaneously explode, luckily we had full glass coverage on that vehicle, so no charge to replace.

If you do replace those struts, get a helper to hold the glass up while you replace them, one at a time.

 

I just had to do a rear defroster tab reattach this week. Heated up the tab on a torch and stuck it back on with it loaded up with melted soldier.

 

I had read that the defroster tab issue was pretty common. I ordered a special 2-part adhesive for this from Loctite, some kind of conducting epoxy I think. The adhesive worked, wasn't cheap; and I was an employee of Henkel Loctite and couldn't get a free one.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB21351