Swing out trunk

[Daves4Runner]

Hey guys,

I have always been jealous of those cars with swing out trunks rather than lift trunks like our 4th gens.
Has anyone ever thought about modifying our trunks to do this? It would eliminate the need for a swing out tire carrier because you could just mount it onto the trunk door like a Rav4 or any of those other p***y cars do. WE NEED A SICK 4TH GEN TO SPORT A SWING OUT TRUNK!

 

[Acidmeld]

That would be a GX470..

 

[berettashot117]

I doubt it would be worth it to anybody to reengineer the back door entirely, if even possible at all. it may sound cool but I think I feel safe saying it will never happen

 

[settytb]

Better to just get a bumper with a swing out tire carrier...or trade up to the lexus...

 

[CookieRoe]

I doubt it would be worth it to anybody to reengineer the back door entirely, if even possible at all. it may sound cool but I think I feel safe saying it will never happen

Re-engineer is right. I think the tail gate is structural if I'm not mistaken.

 

[acer0611]

Back when i bought my 4runner a couple of months ago, i had it narrowed down between 2 vehicles, my 06 4runner and a 06 Toyota land cruiser Prado (Lexus gx470's poorer brother), needless to say I chose the 4runner and in the end I made my decision based on the rear latch. I've had a 99 Honda crv and an 06 Suzuki grand vitara and i just can't stand the rear latch opening to the side. Sometimes i'd have someone parked to close to me to be able to open the latch. I find the upward opening hatch more practical. But that's just my 2 cents.

 

[Sungod]

that and lambo door would be really cool. :boink:

 

[diamondplate]

I had a 2003 Land Rover Discovery II that had a swing out door. The door was very heavy and would only latch if you really shut it hard - very un-elegant. I love the door on the 4Runner having that auto-close feature.

Anyway, when I spoke to the dealer about any door adjustment to make it easier to close or if there was any sort of alignment adjustment he said those doors are just notorious for eating hinges and in general the big swing out door has been a nightmare for them in the service department.

 

[DC runner]

Those style back doors are horrid and always a pain. They don't handle weight anywhere near as well as the typical open UP/Down. The reason they end up eating latches or hinges is because they have constant weight strain and it fatigues them. Your typical open up/down door, when closed, has 0 stress on the hinges themselves. This is why you will almost never see a failure on that type door.


Also.. The way parking spaces are designed, you usually have up/down space but not an unlimited side space. Market forces at work here.

 

[shootersanks]

I haven't heard or seen of anyone doing it besides the guys in this video. They did it for SEMA a couple years ago as a concept vehicle. The modified rear hatch is shown around 1:30.

Edit: Here's a pic I found on toyota120

 

[CookieRoe]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!! Nice find!

So it was apparently re-hinged. So I guess that blows my theory that the tailgate is part of the 4Runner's structure.

Still, I prefer the lift up tailgate and crank down window. Having the tailgate lift/lower electronically (like on Lexus RXs) would be nice. Now that would be mod I'm sure many would be interested in!!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I like the way it is since it offers nice protection from rain when camping or doing anything in the cargo area.

 

[Acidmeld]

My favorite design is the land cruiser 100 series with the split 12 inch tailgate/ rear hatch. Always seemed the most functional.

 

[gptoy96]

^ Just like a 2nd gen, well minus the flip up back window. I don't think I'd like to lose the roll up/down window option for this.

For tailgating/hanging around camping I think this would be a good set up too. But for putting things in the back, then trying to reach for stuff that may be against the back of the seat would make for a long stretch.

 

[Colemanfu]

Not a swing out fan but they do make a hitch type swing out deal.

I missed the tailgate on my old truck so I made this....

And a mini.

 

[DexTech]

I really like the auto down rear window. I use it all the time and find it more useful than opening the door. a side swing door isn't even on my "wish it had" list.