The 4th Gens rear hatch latch what a poor deaign.

[Shiftless Joe]

16 degrees, sounds comfy.

 

[metramm]

Was -6 yesterday in Chicago. 4runner started just fine.

Opened the hatch on Friday and no issues. Toyota makes a great product. Fix the button and move on.

 

[importman]

haha.


Also OP, reach out to t4r.org member here [MENTION=165350]nytosc[/MENTION] and ask him about the camping mod kit that he sells. That will fix you not having a button to open from inside the hatch. I can lock/unlock, roll down/up window and open hatch all from inside and without the key in ignition. Perfect for camping in your vehicle. I also have it on a key fob that he set me up with.

The OP doesn't want it to work. He's on a mission to find as much fault with Toyota as possible. It's like he's a secret agent for another make trying to sabotage Toyota.

 

[steraser]

I just traded in my 2006 that had 220K miles on it. I never had any issues with that latch. In fact, I think it is probably my favorite latch I've ever had. The absence of an internal latch made it much more difficult for anyone to escape, if they happened to break their bonds. Another positive.
If you do not appreciate these features, and from the majority of your posts it would appear you don't, then you should definitely sell.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[AuSeeker]

I just traded in my 2006 that had 220K miles on it. I never had any issues with that latch. In fact, I think it is probably my favorite latch I've ever had. The absence of an internal latch made it much more difficult for anyone to escape, if they happened to break their bonds. Another positive.
If you do not appreciate these features, and from the majority of your posts it would appear you don't, then you should definitely sell.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

While your post is informative, it's also a bit disturbing, are you a kidnapper or something, exactly who do you keep bound up in the back of your T4R? :fear:

 

[az08t]

:bolt:

I just traded in my 2006 that had 220K miles on it. I never had any issues with that latch. In fact, I think it is probably my favorite latch I've ever had. The absence of an internal latch made it much more difficult for anyone to escape, if they happened to break their bonds. Another positive.
If you do not appreciate these features, and from the majority of your posts it would appear you don't, then you should definitely sell.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[dahveeed]

I think OP wants a manufacturer that has unlimited mile/unlimited yr bumper to bumper warranty and for the manufacture to replaced everything that fails until the end of time? I wonder if he’s even the original owner of his 4Runner?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AuSeeker]

I think OP wants a manufacturer that has unlimited mile/unlimited yr bumper to bumper warranty and for the manufacture to replaced everything that fails until the end of time? I wonder if he’s even the original owner of his 4Runner?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He is the original owner and he says his 2008 has less than 9000 miles on it, so other than the age of his 4runner it's sorta still under warranty if Toyota only when by mileage!

 

[Bluesky 07]

I bought my 2007 in 2014 and it was noted on the dealer paperwork that the rear latch cover had been replaced. It occasionally takes a couple of tries to get it to unlatch, and sometimes I have to hit the unlock button again even though it should be unlocked, and then it works. All in all, however, I never really thought twice about it being any kind a big deal.

 

[HIMILESV8SPORT]

you don't want it, I'll buy it

I had the same issue, entire hatch was covered in 1/2" ice last week. Took a key along the bottom and pulled the hatch open after breaking off all the ice around edges. Same problem with fuel door too. But if you really want to part ways with it, how much you want for it???

 

[randy88fj62]

Manual Internal Release:
I took off the plastic cover on the tailgate and found the mechanism that opens the rear hatch. I tied a piece of paracord onto that mechanism and have the cord taped to the plastic cover. I can now easily manually open the rear hatch without power.

 

[Ralph Blake]

Manual Internal Release:
I took off the plastic cover on the tailgate and found the mechanism that opens the rear hatch. I tied a piece of paracord onto that mechanism and have the cord taped to the plastic cover. I can now easily manually open the rear hatch without power.

If the Engineers and Designers who worked on the 08 Toyota 4Runner hatch, had really given any thought about how and when getting that hatch opened we today would not be having problems with it.

There are a few who have said they don't see a problem with the way the hatch works, to them i say i am happy you like it and thats all i intend to say.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Try tightening the gas cap maybe? :shrug:

 

[randy88fj62]

Once you understand the system and the nuances I actually prefer this hatch. I plan on having a switch that cuts power to the back hatch as a security feature to keep people from getting into the drawer system mounted etc.

 

[Ralph Blake]

Once you understand the system and the nuances I actually prefer this hatch. I plan on having a switch that cuts power to the back hatch as a security feature to keep people from getting into the drawer system mounted etc.

Just how is cutting the power to the hatch becomes a security feature ?

 

[randy88fj62]

If a thief cannot open the hatch then they smash the window. If you have a drawer system butted up to the hatch they cannot get into it easily.

 

[Ralph Blake]

If a thief cannot open the hatch then they smash the window. If you have a drawer system butted up to the hatch they cannot get into it easily.

You gave me a super idea for protecting the rear hatch on my 08 4Runner, it will need a little scaling down but i feel it will be a big winner.

Thanks for giving me a idea my fellow forum member and 4Runner owner.:rockon:

 

[JuniorPigeon]

Manual Internal Release:
I took off the plastic cover on the tailgate and found the mechanism that opens the rear hatch. I tied a piece of paracord onto that mechanism and have the cord taped to the plastic cover. I can now easily manually open the rear hatch without power.

Do you have any pictures of how you did this? This is exactly what I've been wanting to do preemptively since I have drawers as well and would really hate to have to pull them all out... from inside.

Problem is I seem to find conflicting solutions as to what actually releases the hatch without power.

I have had problems with the latch releasing in the cold so that's been worrisome.

 

[Ralph Blake]

Do you have any pictures of how you did this? This is exactly what I've been wanting to do preemptively since I have drawers as well and would really hate to have to pull them all out... from inside.

Problem is I seem to find conflicting solutions as to what actually releases the hatch without power.

I have had problems with the latch releasing in the cold so that's been worrisome.

From reading the thread seems many don't feel it's a big deal, these people should have been with me when i found the hatch unable to open, a cart full of food and it cold outside.

Maybe then they the ones thinking it's no big deal, just might start rethinking it.:vader:

 

[JuniorPigeon]

From reading the thread seems many don't feel it's a big deal, these people should have been with me when i found the hatch unable to open, a cart full of food and it cold outside.

Maybe then they the ones thinking it's no big deal, just might start rethinking it.:vader:

I'm on your side on this one. I think it's a pretty poor design from a practical standpoint and arguably the worst part of the 4th gen in my opinion. It was a solution to a problem that didn't exist.

Even if only a handful of people have issues with it, far fewer do with a traditional latch. Like on, I dunno, a 5th gen.

If this kind of thing happens to me when I make my drive to Tuktoyaktuk I would be far up a creek without a paddle. Or anyone with drawers in a remote area for that matter.