How-To: Interior rear hatch release

[RyanNapoleon]

Hey guys, I did the impossible and installed a clean hatch release in the interior of the tailgate of my 98.

If you ever sleep in the back while camping, you know how convenient this new mod is. I know some people have wired in an always-on window switch, (I may do that in the future too), but I wanted an actual manually-actuated release.

It took more time than I'd like to admit, but it turned out great in my opinion. I made a big Imgur album with detailed pics and explanations. I hope you can find this useful or improve upon it.

I'm calling this the Napoleon Mod. (Manual rear-hatch release in a 3rd Gen 4runner) - Album on Imgur

 

[Mark_BC]

You beat me to it! Yesterday I picked up a door release handle from one of the side doors of a wreck and will mount that up with a bicycle brake cable.

 

[Hi-desertT4R]

Awesome. I need to figure out how to make this for my 4th gen rear hatch.

 

[3bears]

of course there is the "kit" that was posted about 2 weeks ago on this forum by a guy supplying all parts and instructions to put a inside latch release

 

[manos_de_pietro]

I finally got a 3G4R, and just joined here, and was looking for this very thing! However, the pics aren't loading on IMGUR anymore. Do you still have them saved somewhere so you could share them?

 

[Bad Luck]

I finally got a 3G4R, and just joined here, and was looking for this very thing! However, the pics aren't loading on IMGUR anymore. Do you still have them saved somewhere so you could share them?

LemmeOutMod

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

LemmeOutMod

I was dumb enough to buy one of these. My 2nd grade grandson could have done a better job fabbing the "parts" together.

 

[Bad Luck]

I was dumb enough to buy one of these. My 2nd grade grandson could have done a better job fabbing the "parts" together.

I can’t speak to the quality of the kits. Just knew that there were still photos on that one. That sucks about the quality of the parts kit for the price he was charging though

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

Yep, live and learn...

The mod itself is a little clunky, I never finished with installing it. My hatch release mechanism has too much slop in it and I struggle with it all the time getting it to open - really sucks as the machine gun toting Federales at Military check points are wanting to inspect your vehicle in Baja.

Probably the biggest issue I've had to deal with on my '96 with 370k miles.

 

[JZiggy]

I was dumb enough to buy one of these. My 2nd grade grandson could have done a better job fabbing the "parts" together.

I hated it so much I returned it.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

i'm looking into one of these using an original door handle, not the awful pull handle, an actual plastic handle from one of the four doors which would be a lot more sturdy. will post updates when I get my 4runner back.


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[manos_de_pietro]

LemmeOutMod

I was actually referring to the "Napoleon Mod" from the first post on this thread, but thanks anyway

 

[Bad Luck]

I was actually referring to the "Napoleon Mod" from the first post on this thread, but thanks anyway

The link I posted is a manual rear hatch release which is what the “napoleon mod” does. Different execution but same result.

 

[manos_de_pietro]

And the link you posted has gotten some negative feedback here. I would like to see another option. I hope that's all right with you.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

And the link you posted has gotten some negative feedback here. I would like to see another option. I hope that's all right with you.

if you're okay waiting a while i have a plan to make one that looks completely oem, however won't likely be done for a month at least.


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[Bad Luck]

And the link you posted has gotten some negative feedback here. I would like to see another option. I hope that's all right with you.

I’m terribly sorry for trying to point you in the direction of another post that might help you with whatever you are trying to figure out. Maybe the OP will decide to comment, but he hasn’t logged in since August of 2020 so I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one. Good luck!

 

[octanejunkie]

I was actually referring to the "Napoleon Mod" from the first post on this thread, but thanks anyway

And the link you posted has gotten some negative feedback here. I would like to see another option. I hope that's all right with you.

Really?
Why wouldn't you just say "thanks so much" to someone who went out of their way to provide something for you, even if it's not exactly what you were looking for?

 

[manos_de_pietro]

Really?
Why wouldn't you just say "thanks so much" to someone who went out of their way to provide something for you, even if it's not exactly what you were looking for?

1. I said "thanks anyway." I realize they were trying to help, but I wanted to be specific about what I was looking for. We good now?