Auto-Trunk Open (Video of Mod in action)
Auto-Trunk Open (Video of Mod in action)
I posted this in the original thread but I meant to start a new one for visibility. I know there is a bit of interest in this:
http://cameron.scottclan.org/g/main....12e12db49df334
UPDATED!!!
http://cameron.scottclan.org/g/main....2a9013e1283f17
http://cameron.scottclan.org/g/main....12e12db49df334
UPDATED!!!
http://cameron.scottclan.org/g/main....2a9013e1283f17
Originally Posted by cam_honestiam
I posted this in the original thread but I meant to start a new one for visibility. I know there is a bit of interest in this:
http://cameron.scottclan.org/g/main....12e12db49df334
http://cameron.scottclan.org/g/main....12e12db49df334
so any pics of what u connect the cords too?
For those of you who are interested, here is the write-up:
1. Purchase 2 high-quality bungee cords, one for each side. I bought the Heavy Duty special at ACE hardware. I think mine are 18". You don't want them too long because you have to wrap them to pick up slack--and too short leaves you without enough room to find just the right mounting spots. Make sure that you buy the Heavy Duty kind, which are not quite twice as thick, because they hold their spring better over time.
2. To install, you will have to choose to mounting points: one on the trunk lid support arm, the other somewhere within the trunk bay itself. If you poke your head into the trunk and look up, very close to the edge of the trunk there are several small oval-type crevasses. (pics to follow)
3. Mount one end of the bungee (both ends should have hooks) into the hole that is about half-way up the trunk lid support arm. Wrap the slack two or three times around the arm. I chose to zip-tie the hook to prevent any accidental release, although near impossible.
4. You will have to decide how much slack you want. The more slack, the less spring--so play with it by wrapping one way, another, 3 times, 4 times, whatever works until you have the spring/opening force you want.
5. Once you have decided on opening force, you need the stationary (i.e., non-moving) mount location (meaning the trunk lid and hence its mounting point will move as the trunk opens, the mounting point inside the trunk will not although the cord will stretch). Decide on the location and hook the second hook in place.
6. Enjoy.
No Auto-close at the moment, but that would require another remote or a manual switch anyway...not worth it to me.
Pics to follow.
High-quality/heavy duty cord is necessary because the trunk (when closed) is constantly stressing the cord. However, the cord is never really close to its maximum stretch, but I went with heavy duty because you can get a smaller length with more power...translating to less wraps around the support arm.
Opening all the way is a tweak that anyone can do. You can custom wrap the cord and get the optimum stretch however you want. Over time, the bungee stretches and requires relaxation, so I open it on occasion just to release the tension and keep the cord fresh. I could make it open further if I wanted to. When I first did the mod, it opened all the way nice and smooth. Over time, the bungees have tightened and relaxed, but a quick tweak would make it fully open again.
As for the squeak, I HAVE applied lubricant, I suppose I just haven't hit all the right spots. with some WD-40, it would likely be even smoother.
This mod is particularly attractive because of cost, ease of installation, and user-friendliness. You can customize the opening force however you wish.
I'll do another video later, perhaps, with a tear-down and re-install so it is very clear. But until then, buy two 18" (or less/more--you choose) heavy duty cords and try it out. It's not rocket science!
1. Purchase 2 high-quality bungee cords, one for each side. I bought the Heavy Duty special at ACE hardware. I think mine are 18". You don't want them too long because you have to wrap them to pick up slack--and too short leaves you without enough room to find just the right mounting spots. Make sure that you buy the Heavy Duty kind, which are not quite twice as thick, because they hold their spring better over time.
2. To install, you will have to choose to mounting points: one on the trunk lid support arm, the other somewhere within the trunk bay itself. If you poke your head into the trunk and look up, very close to the edge of the trunk there are several small oval-type crevasses. (pics to follow)
3. Mount one end of the bungee (both ends should have hooks) into the hole that is about half-way up the trunk lid support arm. Wrap the slack two or three times around the arm. I chose to zip-tie the hook to prevent any accidental release, although near impossible.
4. You will have to decide how much slack you want. The more slack, the less spring--so play with it by wrapping one way, another, 3 times, 4 times, whatever works until you have the spring/opening force you want.
5. Once you have decided on opening force, you need the stationary (i.e., non-moving) mount location (meaning the trunk lid and hence its mounting point will move as the trunk opens, the mounting point inside the trunk will not although the cord will stretch). Decide on the location and hook the second hook in place.
6. Enjoy.
No Auto-close at the moment, but that would require another remote or a manual switch anyway...not worth it to me.
Pics to follow.
High-quality/heavy duty cord is necessary because the trunk (when closed) is constantly stressing the cord. However, the cord is never really close to its maximum stretch, but I went with heavy duty because you can get a smaller length with more power...translating to less wraps around the support arm.
Opening all the way is a tweak that anyone can do. You can custom wrap the cord and get the optimum stretch however you want. Over time, the bungee stretches and requires relaxation, so I open it on occasion just to release the tension and keep the cord fresh. I could make it open further if I wanted to. When I first did the mod, it opened all the way nice and smooth. Over time, the bungees have tightened and relaxed, but a quick tweak would make it fully open again.
As for the squeak, I HAVE applied lubricant, I suppose I just haven't hit all the right spots. with some WD-40, it would likely be even smoother.
This mod is particularly attractive because of cost, ease of installation, and user-friendliness. You can customize the opening force however you wish.
I'll do another video later, perhaps, with a tear-down and re-install so it is very clear. But until then, buy two 18" (or less/more--you choose) heavy duty cords and try it out. It's not rocket science!
Originally Posted by nguyen925
*cough-someone's lazy-cough*
Cough all you want. When you have your hands full of groceries and it's raining, we'll see who's coughing when my trunk opens by itself.
Lazy...more like ingenuitive.
New movie added to first post on this page at top (daytime shot with WD-40. Much springier).
Originally Posted by vsamoylov
my trunk does that when i open it.
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AaronL
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Aug 8, 2020 10:31 AM