Help Replacing Rear Lift Gate

[BADGATE]

Unfortunately I am in need of a replacement rear lift gate. Mine took a beating this past weekend and now I have a project I never wanted.:happens:

Does anyone know of a good write up on here for how to replace? I have begun taking apart the shroud around the license plate and the interior panel of the door. I knew I would need the core for the lock to install with the replacement lift gate (when I find it).

I am searching salvage yards. If anyone knows where I can find one....and someone who is willing to ship (i'll pay)...your help is greatly appreciated.

The bolts for the hatch itself and the supports appear simple enough, but before I do that....what about the wires from the main body of the vehicle to the hatch? Am I going to have to cut them and splice them with the ones from the replacement lift gate? It does not appear to be simple to fish them back through the lift gate. Anyone know?

Also, before I replace the key lock/core, will the door still unlock electronically? Obviously the one that will come in it will not be keyed to match the rest of my car.

Anyone done this already and have some tips? Thank you in advance!

I also need to replace the rear bumper cover...I'm sure there is a write up on this as well, just haven't searched yet. Trying to attack the hardest part first.

 

[notrayray]

I have never performed this particular repair.....but go and dl the service manual here.....
Toyota Tacoma/ 4Runner/ Tundra/ FJ Cruiser Factory Service Manual Page

 

[BADGATE]

I am assuming this would need to be palletized...anybody used a shipping company for something like this? standard UPS? DHL?

 

[004Gunner]

You may want to look into having a body shop swap the lift gates for you. I have taken apart the entire lift gate short of removing it from the actual vehicle and can tell you that the finish panel and glass are a pita. Then the new lift gate would need to be aligned. If you decide to tackle it in your driveway then I strongly suggest you have an extra set of hands around to make it much smoother. You shouldn't need to cut and splice anything but you will want to trace the wires back to the nearest harness which I believe is right above the upper rear finish panel of the headliner.

 

[BADGATE]

Well I lucked out yesterday after searching many miles & hours, found one at a salvage yard for cheap...in really nice shape. It's amazing how scarce they are around here. My wife and a ladder helped with the lifting in place and bolting of the new and removal of the old. She's only 5'4". Really very easy and everything seems to line up nicely. It's from a '99 and mine is an '01. I had to swap out the interior plastic panel/trim because I have the gray interior and this came with the tan. I will need to paint since it is desert dune. Everything works, except.....

obviously the lock core is not keyed to match the rest of my vehicle. I have not swapped this out yet with my old one. Does anyone have any advice on this?

Interestingly enough, my key fob does not work for the entire vehicle with the different lock core still in. I have to lock and unlock the runner manually with the key on the driver side door. Does this sound correct to anyone who has gone through this.

 

[BADGATE]

Relay Box?

Thanks bootown...is that the orange box behind the paneling in the lift gate itself?

 

[BADGATE]

Thanks for the help bootown. It was the orange box within the door itself. This was an easy transfer. This week I have been able to get my hands on some paint and have prepped the door to receive. I hope this turns out nice....I've never painted body parts before.

The only thing left with the keying is the core so that my key will work. Anybody fooled with these before? I'm a little unsure about how to remove the core. I was able to get to it. Does it have plugs to remove the electrical connection, or do I have to just cut and reconnect? It also has a metal support I am unsure how to remove.

Thanks!!!

 

[denvertoyota]

It does have plugs to remove. No need to cut. They are not easily seen. Usually when I remove these, I just yank on the wire attached to the gate, and it comes detached. I believe you can see it if you remove the upper panel that houses the light, and look off to the drivers side. Just follow the wires on the gate, and you will eventually find a plug. I cannot recall, its been awhile. What metal support are you speaking of? Are you talking about the orange box attached to a metal panel? It is attached by rivets, that you need to drill out. Than when you install the new box, just use larger self tapping screws.

 

[BADGATE]

What metal support are you speaking of? Are you talking about the orange box attached to a metal panel? It is attached by rivets, that you need to drill out. Than when you install the new box, just use larger self tapping screws.

The metal support I am speaking of is a piece similar to a wire clothes hanger.

FYI, I did not remove the orange relay box from the metal panel by drilling the rivets...It was way easier to simply replace the entire thing and not remove from the metal panel. I kept the metal panel it was attached to.

Maybe I should take a pic tonight.

 

[rjaudi]

I had to reattach a lock on one of these recently. You will need to remove the trim that goes around the taillight. The lock cylinder is held in by 2 screws attached to the plastic license plate trim. You need to remove the metal wire going to the lock by rotating the plastic clip at the lock and pulling the wire out. There will also be an electrical connector on the top of the lock. You may need to order a couple clips as some didn't make the removal when I did it.