Have any of you guys ever removed the electrical hatch pulldown unit and replaced it with a manual working key release ?? The person who owned the T/A before me really butchered the wiring, and the power motor is in like 10 pieces and all the electrical wiring has been rigged to where I can't tell what goes to where !!! The Hatch struts are shot so when I close the rear hatch it doesn't come back up on it's own, but it doesn't lock closed either. I would like to just remove the hatch pulldown motor and have the hatch closed and locked tight manually. Any of you guys ever fabricate something like this before ??? Looks like I could still use the electrical hatch release and use the rear hatch key also........but would like to do away with the powered, hatch pull-down part. Any one have any ideas or suggestions ?? All comments welcome !!! Thanks a Million.

 

I just unbolted the motor and use a key to get in the back. I think you could use a long choke cable or something to trigger the latch. The hatch should latch shut even without the pulldown motor working.

 

why not just get the electric hatch release that doesn't have the pull down? they should be available from a junk yard and they require one wire. In fact i believe its just a solonoid that pulls a release cable.

 

yep, it's a direct swap in as well. Only a 4 wire relay IIRC, very simple to wire up.

 

Thanks for the replys. I had taken the whole hatch locking bracket with motor out and had removed the motor. The hatch bracket is in two pieces where one slides up and down inside of the other piece. The plastic guides were all shot and had desinigrated. Is there a Hatch bracket that is one whole unit or will I have to weld my two bracket pieces together ?? What year and model cars would have the single piece bracket ?? Mine is a 1987 Trans Am. Thanks for all the help !!!!

 

I think all years came with the 1 piece, it just depends on the model. I think the later higher-end cars had the pull down. I would try from a sport coupe.

 

the older non-pull down releases dont bolt up to a car that had the pull down. The bracket that they bolt to is different.

 

after breaking my electric pull down twice i just got the hatch where i liked it, measured 1/4 in lower on the bracket and welded the locking mechanism to the track, cut and removed all the wires, its easy and hassle free, doesn't leak either oh yeah don't be dumb like me and forget to cover up your carpet when welding!

 

Thanks Intensity_Z ! Thats the answer I was looking for. Did you keep the plastic guides on the rails when you welded, or did you take them off ?? Mine have deteriorated to dust......will I need to replace them ?? Also....how hard was it to line things up before you welded ? Could you please go into a little more detail on this fabrication as I want to get it right the first time !!!
Thanks again for your help and advice !!
Fakeyankee

 

i welded mine together also. its easy.

 

I had my motor go out as well. them pull down motors are expensive. My gta has the electric pull down motor. what I ended up doing was taking the screws out of the side of the plastic clear housing that holds the motor in place and let the motor fall all the way down. Once the motor is down you should be able to see marks on the slides where the bracket is worn where the hatch usually rests. I just got it lined up there and drilled and tapped 2 quarter twenty screw holes(one on each side of the bracket) and screwed the motor permantly there and disconected all of the wiring except the light bac there.