Any ideas on reducing liftgate travel on 2014 T4R?

J

jmann

New member
I'm the very happy owner of a new 2014 Limited. Unfortunately the T4R has to live in a very tight garage. It has about 8 inches clearance in the rear. So, when I open the rear liftgate it opens too high for my garage and would hit the stucco threshold right outside the garage door if I let it.

I've read a few threads from 2012 on this issue and it seems the common answer is pad the garage door but that won't work since it hits the stucco trim outside my garage.

So I was hoping someone may have come up with a different alternative in the past couple of years.

Thanks for any ideas.
 
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You might try running a lanyard from the inside tie downs to the gas piston attachment point on the hatch. 550 parachute cord would be strong enough without being too bulky. But you'll have to think about making sure it pulls into the cargo bay when you close the door. Maybe some light bungee cords from the middle of the lanyard to the front tie downs. Ugly but functional. Or do a little research into some shorter gas pistons with the same lifting strength. Those would keep it from opening too far.
 
Last edited:
3wbdriver said:
You might try running a lanyard from the inside tie downs to the gas piston attachment point on the hatch. 550 parachute cord would be strong enough without being too bulky. But you'll have to think about making sure it pulls into the cargo bay when you close the door. Maybe some light bungee cords from the middle of the lanyard to the front tie downs. Ugly but functional. Or do a little research into some shorter gas pistons with the same lifting strength. Thos would keep it from opening too far.
Click to expand...

Did this for Wife's new 2014 Trail Premium with the same problem. Except I used a hook. I open, reach down and grab the hook and hook it on the hand pull loop. Problem solved. Might look around and see if I have an old weapons single point bungee sling I can butcher and make something I don't have to hook.
 
also: a few sheets of sound dampener on the liftgate's interior sheet metal will weigh it down enough to limit its travel...
 
Gobi ladder - done.

reduces travel of shocks after a while, and will also be a buffer to protect liftgate from the ceiling.
 
An idea

Untested idea: I just ran out to the garage and looked at the liftgate design quickly. Since it's a simple design, it appears the height of lift solely depends on the travel of the pistons.

The idea:
-Tie paracord to the top mount point of the piston on the liftgage, wrapped it very losely, say 1-2 turns for the entire length of the piston
-Tie the other end to the bottom limiting the travel of the piston to the desired length.
-Repeat on the other side for balance.

I think this would work and it would still allow your hands to be free when opening the liftgate.

Again, untested and sadly, I don't have time to do it today, but it seems like it would work and help!

Thanks,
Todd
 
I just have a piece of a foam swimming noodle {opening for joke} that I grab and put between the garage door and the liftgate
 
Put the rear window down...insert items needed...put rear window back up.

Solves the problem about keeping your hatch scratch free
 
Thanks for the suggestions!

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. 10 hours and 10 suggestions! You can't beat that.

My personal favorite is the Gobi ladder (MMMM add-ons). While my wife's favorite is the bigger house. I told her I spent half the price of a house on the car. That didn't go over like I thought it would -- thus no ladder.:dammit:

So, I'm going to give the paracord a shot and see if it will work. Hopefully the piston top/bottom method will work and if not I'll try to see if going to the tie-downs gets in the way of the dogs. If all that fails I will pursue the new strut route.

P.S. I just saw the window down idea. If I thought my 12 year old mutts could clear the window in a (single) bound, that would undoubtedly be the easiest route!

If anyone else has ideas. I'd love to hear them... I'll post back here once I find a solution(s).

Thanks again.
 
Stifler said:
I just have a piece of a foam swimming noodle {opening for joke} that I grab and put between the garage door and the liftgate
Click to expand...
Heh, I did something similar in my underground parking. Used some 3M spray-on adhesive to stick the foam on the concrete ceiling above my parking stall.
 
cbielat said:
Just throw a towel or something on it while opening
Click to expand...

^ This. I keep a microfiber drying towel hanging on a hook just inside my garage door. I put it on the rear garnish as I'm lifting the gate. It's a dual purpose item as the rear window is always dirty or streaked with drips. after I close the gate a couple of spritzes of glass spray and we're off. (Lowering the window is a great option if you're not loading big stuff.)
 
Couple pics if they come out right...
 

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Stifler said:
I just have a piece of a foam swimming noodle {opening for joke} that I grab and put between the garage door and the liftgate
Click to expand...

Sorry no joke lol....This is what I do! Ive also used a rolled up and taped towel. I just keep it in the back for when I need it.
 
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