1999 Liftgate on a 1997 4runner

[TXLX1]

I just bought a liftgate / back door from a 1999 to install on my 1997. The only variation I can tell is the 1999 had the window switch on the upper dash and not by the e-brake.

Anyone done this before? I assume the door harness on a 1997 and 1999 are the same. My 4Runner is in shop or I'd go out and make the swap.

 

[TXLX1]

I dug into this a little bit this morning. One of the harnesses on a 99 lift gate door is different than a 97 door (harness that plugs door into vehicle near roof line).

On the 1997 Limited with power lock, power window, and defroster, there is a 10 pin harness and a 4 or 5 pin harness.

On a 1999 SR5 door with power lock, window, and defroster, there is a 10 pin and a 6 pin harness. Based on part numbers, it appears the harness change for power window, lock, and defroster was made during the 1998 Model Year.

Researching general backdoor parts, it appears the only difference between a 1997 and 1999 is the back door lock assembly, and the harness. I found this thread that said it would be needed to swap harness and body control module when an owner put a 1998 door on a 2000+. I'll post if and when the swap is complete and if there was any useful information for later folks that want to attempt a swap like this.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/197757-3rd-gen-liftgate-swap.html

 

[Daneums]

I put one from an 01 on my 97. The harness and ecu were different. I swapped the harness and ecu. All the plugs on the components were the same, but it was a biotch to pull the harness through the frame of the door by the window.

 

[jstim]

Which rear hatch comes without that wind deflector thing?

 

[Daneums]

Which rear hatch comes without that wind deflector thing?

Base model I think?

 

[92Pony]

Which rear hatch comes without that wind deflector thing?

Base model I think?

My son's '98 Limited came without the air deflector (assuming a previous owner hadn't swapped the lift gate), so it must not be trim level dependent. We snagged one from the junkyard and added it. :yo:

 

[GangsterOfLove]

Researching general backdoor parts, it appears the only difference between a 1997 and 1999 is the back door lock assembly, and the harness. I found this thread that said it would be needed to swap harness and body control module when an owner put a 1998 door on a 2000+. I'll post if and when the swap is complete and if there was any useful information for later folks that want to attempt a swap like this.

I wonder why Toyota makes changes like this year to year. Must be cost - there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the '97 liftgate that would justify changing it in '99.

 

[TXLX1]

I put one from an 01 on my 97. The harness and ecu were different. I swapped the harness and ecu. All the plugs on the components were the same, but it was a biotch to pull the harness through the frame of the door by the window.

Thanks all for the responses, gives me a little more confidence that it will be pretty painless swap. I dropped the new door off at my buddies shop and he's going to hook it up hopefully.

I'm not sure why the change in wiring / ecu between 1997 and 98/99. The back door I bought is from a 1999 SR5 and has a deflector on it. I jumped on it when I found a door of the same color, but I would have waited for a 1996/97 door had I known all that was involved.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks all for the responses, gives me a little more confidence that it will be pretty painless swap. I dropped the new door off at my buddies shop and he's going to hook it up hopefully.

I'm not sure why the change in wiring / ecu between 1997 and 98/99. The back door I bought is from a 1999 SR5 and has a deflector on it. I jumped on it when I found a door of the same color, but I would have waited for a 1996/97 door had I known all that was involved.

Actually, there is a very good reason for major differences in the '99+ liftgates. '99 is the first year there was a factory keyless entry system. It was designed with the receiver in the liftgate and the brains in the Body ECU and the two communicate over a digital bus unlike anything seen before.

Prior to '99, keyless was available only as part of the dealer or port add-on RS3000 alarm system, which worked completely differently from the '99+ factory system.

 

[TXLX1]

Actually, there is a very good reason for major differences in the '99+ liftgates. '99 is the first year there was a factory keyless entry system. It was designed with the receiver in the liftgate and the brains in the Body ECU and the two communicate over a digital bus unlike anything seen before.

Prior to '99, keyless was available only as part of the dealer or port add-on RS3000 alarm system, which worked completely differently from the '99+ factory system.

Makes sense, based on the different part numbers and description of the part for the "controller" and also one bigger harness on the 99+. Thanks for the info.

 

[GangsterOfLove]

That makes sense.

 

[TXLX1]

That makes sense.

New door installed. Just had to swap harness, controller, and lock cylinder from old door to new door.

 

[TheDurk]

New door installed. Just had to swap harness, controller, and lock cylinder from old door to new door.

Now eBay that '99+ Back-door ECU. Not a cheap part. Add harness for someone going the other way.

 

[TXLX1]

Now eBay that '99+ Back-door ECU. Not a cheap part. Add harness for someone going the other way.

Good tip. I stripped the ECU panel (99), door harness (99), exterior bezel, high mount brake light housing, if anyone needs any parts. Also have the glass.

 

[LaRaza]

I put one from an 01 on my 97. The harness and ecu were different. I swapped the harness and ecu. All the plugs on the components were the same, but it was a biotch to pull the harness through the frame of the door by the window.

I am looking at putting an '01 hatch on my '98. Is there a difference in the window lengths as well? looks like my '98 has a longer rear window than the '01.

 

[brillo_76]

I am looking at putting an '01 hatch on my '98. Is there a difference in the window lengths as well? looks like my '98 has a longer rear window than the '01.

Not that I am aware of. I amthinking only the ECU and wiring harness needs changed. As not compatible. Any one else confirm this glass??


One way to verify if see if part numbers are the same in the window glass in a1998 and 2001.

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