Reduce liftgate travel?

[Cusker]

New 2012 SR5 owner of about a month here. So far loving it except for the typical complaints (nose dive and "soft", as some say, gas and brake pedals). Coming from a Mini Cooper S the difference is obviously night and day but nothing I can't get used to and I knew the characteristics before making the purchase. Had an FJ for a while before the MINI and nose dive was similar to the 4R. Although the FJ didn't seem to have such soft gas and brake pedals requiring you to really put your foot down to get results. But I can't complain about 18mpg around town and I love all the room and the nice ride (smooth & quiet compared to MINI).

Anyway, has anybody ever reduced the amount of rear liftgate travel? The reason I ask is with the 4R in the garage and the liftgate open it just comes in contact with the garage door and the garage door opening. It's so little that if I sit on the rear bumper it will clear. But I'm afraid time after time of the liftgate coming in contact that it will eventually scratch the paint (which contacts the door opening) and the rear 4RUNNER emblem (which contact the door) especially with the way the rear collects dirt. Which BTW is no surprise considering the style of the rear "spoiler".

I suspect a shorter set of struts are all that's needed but am wondering if anybody would happen to know which ones would accomplish the task or if there are any other alternatives.

Thanks

 

[Ducmonsta]

I would rather limit the damage by placing some sort of foam padding or something similar on the garage door. Especially if it's that minimal. I assume, like most people, you park on the same part of the garage most of the time.

 

[Jaker]

I would rather limit the damage by placing some sort of foam padding or something similar on the garage door. Especially if it's that minimal. I assume, like most people, you park on the same part of the garage most of the time.

:iagree:

Buy some foam padding at Home Depot for the grand price of $5 and you'll be good to go (It's what I did with my garage door opening.)

 

[Mganut]

Hey Cusker, have you considered increasing the garage door upper limit adjustment?
Depending on the make of your opener, you may be able to adjust the stop to raise your door another inch or so?
Regards,
Kevin

 

[Antman]

Add some dynamat to the inside of the hatch. The slight increase in weight will prevent the hatch from opening fully.

Or- you could do the same thing with a Gobi ladder.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Hey Cusker, have you considered increasing the garage door upper limit adjustment?
Depending on the make of your opener, you may be able to adjust the stop to raise your door another inch or so?
Regards,
Kevin

The OP was concerned with the door AND the opening. No adjustment there. Well, not without a sledgehammer.

 

[phillyd2]

'rumor' has it that the lift gate should stop opening when you let go, after a certain point, to accommodate shorter people.

 

[Qjake]

The OP was concerned with the door AND the opening. No adjustment there. Well, not without a sledgehammer.

Or Antmans right front fender. :hiding:

 

[Qjake]

'rumor' has it that the lift gate should stop opening when you let go, after a certain point, to accommodate shorter people.

Interesting, have you tried it?

Another tidbit I just found the other day. When starting the truck with the AC on and fan on high, it gradually brings the fan up to speed once it's running

 

[Barry694]

Lift Gate

I back into the garage and therefore have plenty of room and if I am unloading things that go into the house, I am that much closer to the door.

 

[Ducmonsta]

'rumor' has it that the lift gate should stop opening when you let go, after a certain point, to accommodate shorter people.

Doesn't work. I read about this in another thread and fell for it.

 

[Antman]

Doesn't work. I read about this in another thread and fell for it.

Duh! It only works for shorter people.

I've met you.

You are not short.:welcome:

 

[phillyd2]

Doesn't work. I read about this in another thread and fell for it.

Yeah I know. Was first told to me by my dealer when I thought my struts were dying. All before the Gobi ladder.

Sort of makes sense that they tried to design it that way. With the Gobi mafia struts it really does open all the way to heaven.

 

[Bay33saw]

I had the same problem but I moved my truck further forward and it didn't hit the garage door. Failing that put some foam on your garage door

 

[03_4x4Runner]

You would need shorter lift shocks/struts whatever they are called to make the hatch not open so far.

 

[Hbryanlopez]

this could be bad, really bad. what happens when you install the lift, larger wheels and tires and the GOBI rack? :welcome:

 

[Cusker]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

Not exactly a place I could put some foam. Plus anything that contacts the body is eventually going to scratch the paint if the rig moves at all (which it will when loading/unloading things) with the liftgate open. The metal strip on the bottom of the garage door is already leaving a mark on a couple of the 4RUNNNER letters.

I don't have enough room in front of the rig to pull it in far enough for the liftgate to totally clear. And it's not practical to have to back in every time I want to load/unload something from the back.

To me it looks like shorter struts is the best option. Guess I'll have to do some research.

 

[Jtraskell]

This might be an easy fix. It will not look great..but since you will only use it in your garage or a very low parking garage, who cares. Get a long bungee cord or light nylon robe with a couple of hooks. Hook one end to a cargo loop on the floor of the 4runner, the other end somewhere towards the bottom of the hatch door. Adjust the rope or buy the appropriate size bungee to keep the door from opening too high while in your garage. When however, you need to have the door wide open, don't use the rope. Simple.

I suggest you place the rope hook inside one of the handholds in the bottom of the door while you are adjusting for the proper length. You can then place another "cargo loop" type attachment hardware within that handhold, that way it will not interfere with opening and closing of the hatch. When you need the rope, just attach it prior to allowing the door from going all the way up. Be safe.

 

[phillyd2]

Interesting, have you tried it?

No, I needed to replace them since with the ladder the hatch did not go up past my belly button. OP, adding a Gobi Ladder may solve your problem. Or just buy a way bigger house :welcome:

 

[Cusker]

Get a long bungee cord or light nylon robe with a couple of hooks. Hook one end to a cargo loop on the floor of the 4runner, the other end somewhere towards the bottom of the hatch door.

I like it. I'll start there. Eventually I'd like to get shorter struts so I wouldn't have to bother with the rope but it'll be something easy I can put in place now and figure out struts as time permits.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions.