has anyone attempted to add an interior release handle to open the rear liftgate?

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IMINYOURCHAIR

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as per the title. I know that my expy has enough room that if need be I could sleep in the back. if this were to happen I would like a release handle inside the truck. has anyone ever seen that or done that successfully?
 

TactialMonkey

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I sleep in my truck all the time its great hahaha full size mattress fits right in but I was thinking about this last night sleeping in there wondering how I could do something and ill try some things and see what I find
 
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IMINYOURCHAIR

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Thanks. Maybe I can also help. I'm gonna be busy for the next month or so so I might not he doing much of anything unless absolutlty necessary. Gotta move 500 miles away
 

z168

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Instead of looking for a manual direct door handle, I would suggest installing an electric solution (similar to those magnetic coils used for a DIY trunk or door poppers). Unless the mechanism is harder to deal with, should be pretty easy

PowerTrunk.JPG
 

BAD RONALD

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Instead of looking for a manual direct door handle, I would suggest installing an electric solution (similar to those magnetic coils used for a DIY trunk or door poppers). Unless the mechanism is harder to deal with, should be pretty easy

This is damn clever thinking. Buy this man a beer if it works.
 

sgtowing

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I sleep in my truck all the time its great hahaha full size mattress fits right in but I was thinking about this last night sleeping in there wondering how I could do something and ill try some things and see what I find

Just wondering why you sleep in your truck so much?

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IMINYOURCHAIR

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hmm, give me a bit of time and I can likely get it in a few months. it's funny how things come up. like cross state moves... should be able to change the city from altoona ala jacksonville fla soon!!
 

04SVT

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Have you thought of using a actuator and a button? They can be had cheap and installed easily
 

04SVT

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Had a friend use these on a shaved tailgate with a button. Another has his tied to a popper and a strut to automatically open but not slam down
 

rexster314

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You don't say what year your Expy is. If it's a 3rd gen with power liftgate, it would be a snap by tapping into the outside gate lift switch on the lift handle
 

TactialMonkey

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Just wondering why you sleep in your truck so much?

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Its longer than my tent and I'm tall and it fits a full size mattress hahaha mainly I sleep in the truck after an all night party or if I'm going camping or just wanna relax by a river its perfect for me. And I'm gonna go manual and simple most likely just modify the glass latch so I can just open my tail gate from the window haha easy mod.
 
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z168

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as I already mentioned, you just need one of those trunk poppers.

here's one: click me
$_57.jpg

if you were near me I would help you with it
 
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IMINYOURCHAIR

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You don't say what year your Expy is. If it's a 3rd gen with power liftgate, it would be a snap by tapping into the outside gate lift switch on the lift handle

had to re check that I was in the 1st gen forum still.. but Mine is a '97. it has the little twist handle on the outside.


I'm surprised to see this catch so much attention too. I feel pretty confident I could make it all work as I have a good background in electrical and plenty mechanical experience under me.. but just a couple hours after posting the thread I got some news that means I'm moving to another state. which has put any accessorys on hold. Thanks for all the input and when we find the right part for this I will bookmark it and update when I install!!
 

stamp11127

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Ok, here is a stupid question. Why not just open one of the passenger doors. In the event of electrical failure the factory door handles still work. If the truck should catch on fire I wouldn't want to rely on modifications to save my ass.

One of the things we practiced at my old work is evacuating a school bus that is one fire. You have maybe 3-5 minutes to get all the kids out before it is fully engulfed. How much time do you think you have in the truck? Yes we have had a few fires - electrical and fuel related.

Not trying to pee on your parade, I'm just a paranoid ol' timer that is trying to make every second above ground last. Whenever I'm building something I always look for possible problems and solutions to them.

What part of J'ville are you moving to? I grew up there on the west side when everything was palmetto bushes, sticker bushes and sand. Went to Ed White High School near I-10. Got the sheet of paper in '75.
 
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