I HATE my electric tailgate - is it easy to convert to un-powered?

[J3AAY]

So my new van comes with all sorts of factory options - which is brilliant. BUT it’s got the fully self opening / closing tailgate which I hate. Soft close / power latching is fine, but the full auto is just a pain.

Case in point yesterday when the damn thing opened itself into a head height metal structure. Yes I should of saw it, but I didn’t and didn’t manage to put enough pressure for the safety switch to stop it moving up (which is actually a heck of a lot of force). Fortunately no damage other than some red paint to polish off my lovely blue van.

So, can I just remove everything and fit ‘normal’ struts? I guess something may need recoding or something?

I use a tow bar bike rack and i know this is going to be a damn nightmare for cramming the bikes if I don’t manage to clear it before the thing gets opening.

Plus I get to lose those big lumps either side of the load area which houses the motors.

I wonder if my set up if worth anything?

Cheers,

 

[FerrisBFW]

Not that my t5.1 has this but I get you. Its a problem that doesnt need fixing in my eyes, our Merc EV has it and its 50% temperamental, shuts sometimes if it feels like it

 

[MK2Golf24v]

The "bumps" in the load area are for the side doors.

 

[z1ts]

Plus I get to lose those big lumps either side of the load area which houses the motors.

No you won't I'm afraid - that's for the side door(s)!

 

[J3AAY]

The "bumps" in the load area are for the side doors.

Oh bugger . I assumed this for my tailgate. I guess on my previous van the motors were just hid better - that was a Caravelle Exec.

 

[Garyde]

To remove it all you would need to do is replace the powered struts with a pair of normal "manual" ones. Not sure how its wired, but you could probably leave the wiring in place and tuck it into wherever the wiring is fed from so you don't see it.

In theory it seems simple enough.

 

[J3AAY]

Ah ok, that sounds good. I assume I’d just keep the power latching then - which is just fine. Unsure about opening from inside and stuff - I have button inside the drivers door pocket. Cheers though, I see struts are cheap so I may just do that and re-fit in years to come when I sell the van. Cheers

To remove it all you would need to do is replace the powered struts with a pair of normal "manual" ones. Not sure how it’s wired, but you could probably leave the wiring in place and tuck it into wherever the wiring is fed from so you don't see it.

In theory it seems simple enough.

er

 

[Texxaco]

I am the opposite to you. Fed up of listing the tailgate and want the house electric tailgate. Have soft close side and tailgate. Side doors are both electric yet the tailgate was left as manual.

Bloody nightmare.

If you do go down this route let me know as I may be interested in your struts to convert mi w to electric TG.

 

[J3AAY]

I am the opposite to you. Fed up of listing the tailgate and want the house electric tailgate. Have soft close side and tailgate. Side doors are both electric yet the tailgate was left as manual.

Bloody nightmare.

If you do go down this route let me know as I may be interested in your struts to convert mi w to electric TG.

I’ll look into what bits I’d need to remove / change. If it’s not a lot then I’m definitely going to convert it to manual.