Manual Trunk Release Mod

[HFChristie]

Has anyone modified their Mag to use a completely manual (pull handle) release? I figured out how to release it after the battery died, but I'd have been totally screwed if I had had anything in the tailgate area too large to remove through a side door (which it was yesterday before I unloaded)!

Of course, I never thought of that while the batter was OK, but what a stupid setup! Especially since the battery in in the damned trunk!

Any suggestions (well, I'd prefer if the mean or sarcastic ones were sent privately for my entertainment ) are appreciated.

Thank!

[Demon]

I'm sure it could be done but I think that the problem is that there is no "lock" on the hatch. IE when the doors lock, the outside "button" is disabled instead of the door being locked. IF you have a dead battery, you can hook power to the jump locations in the front. IF however you have blown a fuse for whatever reason, you pretty much have to empty the stuff or at least move it till you can reach, or send in a small child/spouse/monkey.

[NOTPAID4]

This has happened to me twice. I had to crawl over the back seat and remove the little square cover and release the hatch manually. YUP, it was a real pain.

[DreDay256]

I've actually wondered how to open the hatch if the electric latch went out if there were something in the way of getting to the inside release thingy. This is an issue for me b/c my handle is shaved in the back & my wall is in the way inside the car. So, I'm in the process of figuring out. As of right now my only option would be to bust the back window lol

[DirtyPana]

I've actually wondered how to open the hatch if the electric latch went out if there were something in the way of getting to the inside release thingy. This is an issue for me b/c my handle is shaved in the back & my wall is in the way inside the car. So, I'm in the process of figuring out. As of right now my only option would be to bust the back window lol

Lets figure out a better way homie! but If you do decide to bust the window, please do video it.

[kpall312]

X2 lol.

[Demon]

I'm sure that there is some way to run a cable up to the top of the door from the finger latch, I might just have to look into that.

[HFChristie]

The problem I would have had the day before is that I could not have movedany of the stuff that was in the back (the seats were already down) out thedoors. All of it was large items, noneof which could have been maneuvered easily - even if it was the only piece -out a side door. Which meant the inside release was blocked. Now that I thinkof it, though, some of the stuff could have then been slid out the open windowhole if I had smashed the rear window out

Which brings up another mod idea - Mine has two molding inverted depressions(expressions?) on the roof liner where it meets the tailgate above the glass.They look like they may have been intended for a window hinge/shock. Doesanyone know if there was an option for an opening tailgate window?

I'm not sure why you'd need a cable to the top of the door; the latch is atthe bottom. My thought was that there are plenty of door handles that look like,although none would probably fit exactly, the tailgate latch insert. Then itwould just be a matter of hooking the hardware to the existing (hopefully)latch. If it worked, you'd have a manualhandle looking the same as the handle inset that's there that would release ifpulled up/out.

Of course, it would require hours and hours of custom work, look like shit,and the first time you pulled it to open the tailgate - would pop completelyout into your hand! LOL

[Demon]

The problem I would have had the day before is that I could not have movedany of the stuff that was in the back (the seats were already down) out thedoors. All of it was large items, noneof which could have been maneuvered easily - even if it was the only piece -out a side door. Which meant the inside release was blocked. Now that I thinkof it, though, some of the stuff could have then been slid out the open windowhole if I had smashed the rear window out

Which brings up another mod idea - Mine has two molding inverted depressions(expressions?) on the roof liner where it meets the tailgate above the glass.They look like they may have been intended for a window hinge/shock. Doesanyone know if there was an option for an opening tailgate window?

I'm not sure why you'd need a cable to the top of the door; the latch is atthe bottom. My thought was that there are plenty of door handles that look like,although none would probably fit exactly, the tailgate latch insert. Then itwould just be a matter of hooking the hardware to the existing (hopefully)latch. If it worked, you'd have a manualhandle looking the same as the handle inset that's there that would release ifpulled up/out.

Of course, it would require hours and hours of custom work, look like shit,and the first time you pulled it to open the tailgate - would pop completelyout into your hand! LOL

Basically meant that if the door is blocked at the bottom you might be able to reach the top at the least. Maybe a good old fashioned key lock to activate the manual release? I'm sure there is some kind of option that might help when you just can't get in but as far as a manual handle, you would have to rig in a lock of some kind as well.

[Lil mag 2.7]

what model of mag has a manual rear opener??? iv never seen one n iv been through my se to all the bare metal n im positive theres not one

[Demon]

There is a small plastic cover on the inside of the hatch right by the latch. Inside is a SMALL lever, use finger and push it to the side and pop goes the hatch.

[drag_racer]

What if you were to give the hatch release a 2nd power source that is turned on by a hidden switch somewhere, and then you will always have a backup battery supply essentially to open the hatch.

[HFChristie]

Adding a 2nd power source sounds like the best option. However, you'd have to route wires to an accessable location since the latch itself is at the bottom of the tailgate.

A keylock would be great, too - since it's also keyed. However (again), since the latch is at the bottom of the tailgate, you'd have to connect the keylatch using a cable so you could put the key somewhere accessable if the back compartment is loaded.

Both would be much easier trying to custom fit an external handle into the existing latch hole.

It's wierd. before this all started, I never even considered the latch mechanism. Now, I'm afraid to fully load the back "just in case". Very irritating!

[hemiwagn]

The factory latch is on the hatch side, the fixed striker it "clips" onto when locked is on the body side.
The factory latch is thing you move when you remove that little access door if the hatch won't open, say due to the battery being dead. You would have to add a cable the the finger tang on the factory latch.
Soooo, that means any cable release has to be fed all the way through the hatch from the top. Possible but not easy. You could leave the end in the headliner, say above a rear door for emergency use, as long as you knew it was there (instead of running it all the way down the C pillar).

I have a couple of detailed pics of the factory set up with all trim removed if anyone wants to see 'em.

[hemiwagn]

Also don't forget, if your battery dies, you can jump the car from under the hood...