Open Rear Door from Inside (pics to follow)

**sonof40** · 12-21-2007, 09:36 AM

Decided to do this so I can escape out the back when camping.

Page WW-38 and ED-48 of the online manual show how to remove cover
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This location is important so that the rod can have free movement but eyeballing from pic will work.
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Drill large enough for movement of rod. We will enlarge it later.
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This is a 16' piece of Aluminum rod. This one is 5mm but 3/16" is good. I had this laying around but I saw it at the local hardware store. Pretty common. If anyone lives close I have plenty of it.
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I tapped it so as to put a light switch knob on it but any press-on type thingy you have laying around will work. Be creative. Drill a hole in a button.
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Tapped a light switch knob just to make it fit better.
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Not sure where this grommet with a hole in it came from. I collect things like this in parking lots etc. But it acts as a guide for the rod through the sill. Also pictured are the light switch button and two (one would work) "wire rope clips" P/N 9414855 from OSH 2 each 3/16" I recommend these.
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The 16 inches is necessary.
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Looking up, inside and under the door cover
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Shave off even a little more than what the pic shows.
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BEFORE drilling, with rod in position, replace door cover as much as you can with enough room to reach in from the bottom of the cover and push the rod up against the cover so as to make some sort of mark for the drill spot. You might even ink the rod tip first. This is important because of the space between the sill and cover. After you drill in the plastic, go back and make the metal hole larger so that the plastic hole does the guiding and for less chance of rod rubbing the side of the metal hole.
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Added the clamps and a spring (found one, probably another parking lot or it could be off my FJ40 clutch now that I think about it.) The spring isn't vital but provides a nice secure feel to the action.
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closer
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closest
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I like the plastic back on for the same reason it was put there in the first place. What that is, I'm not sure:-)
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Fit the cover back on over the rod. Slide grommet over.
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Cap. You don't need it to operate the door but it looks cool.
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There are other options: Mount a solenoid to the elbow of the existing bar and wire it to your rear window two-way switch (Swiss's mod) Use the small square section of the door cover (seen in pic #7) opposite the area where I put the wire rope clips (the one that appears useless) and install a lever attached to the existing rod.

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Tenacious · 12-21-2007, 10:24 AM

I like it the way it is...I remember hearing about one guy who had subs in the back of his FJ and gear, the thieves broke the rear window trying to get in, set off the alarm, didn't have time to go AROUND to actually get in the vehicle to steal the stuff.

NCFJ · 12-22-2007, 06:28 AM

Good idea, I am asuming you tied into the latch with a rod of some sort. Very cool!

**sonof40** · 12-22-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

NCFJ previously said:

Good idea, I am asuming you tied into the latch with a rod of some sort. Very cool!

You are correct sir. Just edited the original post. Check it out!

bandi · 12-22-2007, 12:38 PM

Very Kool Idea, It was a pain gettin in and
out while sleepin' in it on the trail... TY...

**sonof40** · 12-22-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

bandi previously said:

Very Kool Idea, It was a pain gettin in and
out while sleepin' in it on the trail... TY...

Thanks. It's probably a safety feature too.

Toyota Pete · 12-22-2007, 12:59 PM

Another great mind at work.I'll be doing this mod asap.Thanks

04e46conv · 12-22-2007, 01:01 PM

Nice job!

Dr. Dirt · 12-22-2007, 01:36 PM

Good job, I have to do this one.

**Apexbasher** · 01-22-2008, 05:18 AM

Silly, question... Will this open the door even if it is "locked" and not able to be opened from the outside?

I've been pondering just such a mod since I have been looking at the rear compartment as a sleeping area recently. This looks pretty clean. I was picturing having to attach a cable with a ball toggle to pull.