STNC

iTrader: (1)

who are you? negative nancy... i have a secret project that will benefit from this

kileil

Solenoid won't work well. They're magnetic and meant to give a quick kick. Not really something you want pounding at your hatch.

I can think of two ways to do it:
1. replace both factory hydraulic lifts with linear actuators. Decent ones of that size will easily run over a hundred $ each, and you'll have to make sure they're a) long enough b) strong enough to pull it shut again, as you don't want to move those by hand as it will likely break them in short order.

2. Buy stronger replacement hydraulic lifts for both sides, and then give it a nudge up to the point where the lifts take over using a shorter linear actuator pointed straight up but not actually connected to the hatch. It could probably be placed vertically by either tail light on the inside.

unlocking the trunk via the remote is the easy part, synchronizing that with a working actuator is where it gets tricky.

Good luck and remember to mock it up temporarily before you start hackin up the car.

Cabana

That would be pretty slick if it closed on its own, like the high end SUVs.

STNC

iTrader: (1)

hmmmm, are you sure a solenoid wont work?

kileil

Quite sure, at least I know it wouldn't on mine. I have to lift the gate a little over a foot before the factory hydraulic lifts even think about taking it the rest of the way up.

If you want an example of the force needed to quickly kick (the only action a solenoid can do) that amount of weight one foot, take off your shoes and kick a cinderblock.

STNC

iTrader: (1)

sounds painful

crabbyman

It would be useful more than some people think.

I know it sounds soccer-mommish but I would love a hatch that raised when I pushed the button!

I use my tC basically like a mini-truck. Need to haul some bag of mulch? Take the tC! Now imagine just hitting the button and it raising up so you never have to put that 50 pound bag of mulch on the ground while you lift the hatch.


How hard would it be to go to a junk yard to find an accuator from a vehilce that uses one and retrofit it?

..also...does any one have a clue what vehicles actually have these kind of lifts on them?

STNC

iTrader: (1)

Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Sienna are Auto Up and Down. Yaris 4 Door, Corolla and Camry have the trunk pop lever. And the Tundra has the gas assisted tail gate, so it can never fall down. I love showing that to people!

enjoithis

Look at a door popper kit, you just need to install the popper to push the hatch up a few inches. (if you dont have a spoiler)

Really the right way to do it is with a linear motor or a high torque actuator.. i dont think the actuators they use for door locks will be enough to lift it.. and if it is it will burn out shortly.

STNC

iTrader: (1)

what is the wiring for the switch