Will 03-05 rear hatch for on 06-09 4runner?

[Whytey]

A friend of mine just purchased an 06 4runner. Got a decent deal as the rear tailgate is rusted through and needs replacing. I live in Canada but I am looking all over North America for a replacement hatch from a salvaged vehicle. Don't want to spend the money getting one from a dealership.

I have found a few around but I just wanted to check if a hatch from 2003-2005 4runner will fit on a 2006-2009 4runner. Would be a major pain if we got it only to find out it's doesn't work. They look similar and my gut says that they will fit but figured I may as well inquire here as I'm sure someone out there as attempted this (hopefully successfully.)
Any tips on doing the switch over? Easy enough to transfer everything myself or is it worth paying a shop to transfer all the goods and install. Seeing the rust on this tailgate makes me worried for mine (no rust yet) is there anything one can do to help prevent these things from rusting out?

As well if anyone sees a rear hatch in a nearby local junkyard I would love a heads up.
Cheers

 

[AuSeeker]

I just checked the gate A.K.A the hatch part numbers for a 2003, 2004, 2005 and a 2006 and the part number is the same for both years, one part number for the hatch without spoiler and different number for the hatch with a spoiler, the only exception is that for the 2006 they also show 2 other part numbers for hatches with a 8" speaker, one with spoiler and one without, only 2 hatch part numbers for the 2003, 2004, 2005.

So as long as he doesn't have the 8" speaker which apparently wasn't an option on the earlier 4th Gens then the 2003, 2004, 2005 should work fine, you just need to get one with or without a spoiler, depending on what he has.

 

[773_T4R]

They are a direct swap. The one I swapped to my 07 was from an 03-05.

 

[Whytey]

I just checked the gate A.K.A the hatch part numbers for a 2003, 2004, 2005 and a 2006 and the part number is the same for both years, one part number for the hatch without spoiler and different number for the hatch with a spoiler, the only exception is that for the 2006 they also show 2 other part numbers for hatches with a 8" speaker, one with spoiler and one without, only 2 hatch part numbers for the 2003, 2004, 2005.

So as long as he doesn't have the 8" speaker which apparently wasn't an option on the earlier 4th Gens then the 2003, 2004, 2005 should work fine, you just need to get one with or without a spoiler, depending on what he has.

Good to know! Thank you!

They are a direct swap. The one I swapped to my 07 was from an 03-05.

Sounds perfect. I came across a thread on another site saying that a tailgate from an 03-05 had some wiring differences. Was it plug n play for you? Lose control of anything? Does the 03-05 have the soft auto closing and remote window down features?
Or did you just purchase a shell? My friend may be buying a fully assembled 03 tailgate and wondering if we can just plug n play or if we'd better off swapping stuff over. (motors and such hopefully not window)

 

[AuSeeker]

03-05 and all 4th Gens have the soft auto close latch, and also the remote down window.

Can't answer the questions on any wiring difference.

 

[773_T4R]

I had just the shell but everything from the 07 directly swapped to the 03-05 shell with no problem. My guess is that the Limited trim would have the most "stuff" in terms of electronics and extras. I have an SR5 but used a shell from a Limited.

 

[Bossman]

Some possible leads from Kijiji

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-p...ts/1353154103?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-p...ts/1353094420?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[Whytey]

Some possible leads from Kijiji

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-p...ts/1353154103?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-p...ts/1353094420?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I appreciate the searches!
I have pretty well messaged every parts 4runner out there scores Canada at this point. That black one is looking like it might be the winner. My only concern is that small rust spot on the bottom lip. I keep hearing these tailgates are prone to rust and it would be a pain to get that one only to discover it's got a bigger issue behind that. Or is that a small enough amount that you could clean it up easily enough

 

[Bossman]

You're welcome!

Definitely hard to track down used parts from auto recyclers that are in pristine condition. I might be tempted to take a chance on something with a little bit of rust on that lower edge, but would want to give the whole hatch a thorough look-over.

My concern would be how is that corrosion developing - the water/salt must be getting in somehow/somewhere.

I didn't have a rear hatch rust issue when I traded in my 03 Limited two years ago.