New 4Runner Rear Window Problem

I have read all the Q&A's for window problems here, but this is new. My '92 suffers from the weak motor or bad relay problem and usually needs a lift up.

My girlfriend's '84 runner seems to have the exact same guts in her tailgate, but a different problem. The window went partially down the other day and pow! it jumps a tooth on the main gear. Now the left side of the glass is lower than the right. A little tinkering and I lost ground on two more teeth and the window is seriously cockeyed.
Anyone have this problem? Any words of wisdom about taking the unit apart to re-mesh the gears? I don't want to cut off any digits with the spring there.....

I like the guy's idea of the Lexan and making a hatch...that may be in the offing soon.

Thanks for any help............

The inside frame of the tailgate gets bent down (inward) with use pull it back up but note that the top and bottom edges will need to be sprung back as well, a little more difficult than the center.
The side rails also sound to be sprung or rusted out.
This is more of a problem.
Try rolling it up with out the door being closed, does it roll up easier? (Do this by snapping the each of the side latches into the lock position.
Support the glass as it will break the mount if not supported.