3rd gen liftgate swap

[ryderaluce]

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. My dad backed my 2000 4runner into a pole with the liftgate up. very minor body damage, but liftgate won't close now. Found a clean new one, and need to swap it over. I was told I need to swap out the control unit for the window, and am thinking I need to take off the license plate holder. Anything else that I should do or be aware of? Or any tips or hacks to help with the process? Thanks for your time.

 

[ryderaluce]

Should mention, the "new" liftgate is from a '98. Now I've got it apart, and I was told I need to keep the window control module from the damaged one or the window won't work. these are different on each one tho. do I need to swap the wiring harnesses out?

 

[THatfield]

i'm not sure about the module's, as when I swapped my liftgates yesterday, it was from a truck identical to mine. Biggest tip I can give is to replace the liftgate struts if possible, since they are a real pain in the arse to compress when you've got the liftgate hinges bolted on but you need to compress them in order to bolt them onto the replacement. other then that, it is really straight forward. Some of the bolts can be tricky to get to (like when you swap lock cylinders), but nothing major needs removed, just a universal for your ratchet/impact will be helpful.

if you have any specific questions PM me. I can't say much about compatibility of plugs/modules, but for the nuts and bolts of the swap, I remember almost everything.

Good luck, and be prepared. Those liftgates aren't particularly light!

 

[wc11]

The control units aren't coded so there should be no need to swap them out.

 

[infamousRNR]

my only 2 cents is that the lift gate is heavy as heck,,,, hope you have someone to help you lift it ... or maybe I'm just weak. :laugh:

 

[Snowy21]

I swapped a 98 liftgate onto my 02 and everything bolts up fine but you have to change out the entire wiring harness and body control unit in the gate. All of the 98 motors and sensors plug right into the 02 harness and module so that is easy. The worst part is running the main plugs up the side of the window and to the body. A coat hanger is your best friend.