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Electric Trunk Release
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-04 2:52 PM (#455222 - in reply to #455175)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		Ron sent me some nice photos of this setup I made myself back around 1980 on the trunk release for the Polara. You can see how simple it is. I made the actuator out of a piece of steel and put a pivot pin through it through the center of the trunk latch. It actuates the release inside the latch and does not affect the way the key works at all. The pivot pin through the latch goes through in an area where it doesn't interfere with anything. It's crude but simple and it works very well. I think the pivot pin is a bent nail!

Edited by imopar380 2014-09-04 2:57 PM




(trunk1.jpg)



(trunk2.jpg)



(trunk3.jpg)



(trunk4.jpg)



(trunk3a.JPG)



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Attachments trunk1.jpg (56KB - 411 downloads)
Attachments trunk2.jpg (43KB - 416 downloads)
Attachments trunk3.jpg (69KB - 421 downloads)
Attachments trunk4.jpg (63KB - 429 downloads)
Attachments trunk3a.JPG (68KB - 415 downloads)
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-04 3:04 PM (#455223 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		The one I am making up for my 60 Saratoga is a little more challenging because the latch is on the body of the car and the key cylinder is in the lid, rather than the latch mounted and hanging down from the deck lid, and there is nowhere to mount the solenoid where I can connect it over to the latch. SO I'm working on another way to do it. If it works it will also work on the 1961 Chrysler, as DeMopar has mentioned he would like to do one in his post up above.

Edited by imopar380 2014-09-04 3:31 PM
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jimntempe
Posted 2014-09-05 7:35 PM (#455332 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Arizona		Thanks for the info and photos. That looks easier than how I had been thinking I might try doing it.
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BigBlockMopar
Posted 2014-09-05 8:47 PM (#455337 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Netherlands		My '57 Chrysler also has an electric trunk opener, installed by a PO.
Gave some issues when I got the car. The solenoid didn't seem able to release the mechanism.
After having to crawl into the trunk area by removing the rear bench for the second time I started noticing the solenoid needed to be properly adjusted to function correctly.

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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-06 12:51 AM (#455355 - in reply to #455337)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		I've been working on the one for my Saratoga tonight. Basically I have used a later model all-in-one trunk electric trunk latch from a 1981 Plymouth Reliant, (the same as was used all through the 70s and 80s on many Mopars. I owned 2 Cordobas with the same unit. Since it is not the same bolt pattern as the original on the Saratoga, I made a steel adapter plate for it and then had it spot welded onto the back of the latch unit. I then put another hole in the adapter plate to match the bottom hole where it bolts into the car. The other side mounting hole was close and had to be filed out slightly to work. It has now been cleaned, painted and clear coated ready for installation. The only drawback - which won't affect it, is that there are only 2 mounting holes, where originally there were three. I can't put in the third one as it would be right under the solenoid.

The first photo shows the unit assembled before re-finishing but it has the adapter plate welded on to the back side. I'll post more pictures after I install it.



Edited by imopar380 2014-09-06 1:04 AM




(latch1.JPG)



(latch2.JPG)



(latch3.JPG)



(latch4.JPG)



(latch5.JPG)



(latch6.JPG)



(latch7_cover.JPG)



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Attachments latch1.JPG (45KB - 443 downloads)
Attachments latch2.JPG (42KB - 417 downloads)
Attachments latch3.JPG (42KB - 421 downloads)
Attachments latch4.JPG (33KB - 424 downloads)
Attachments latch5.JPG (63KB - 417 downloads)
Attachments latch6.JPG (48KB - 432 downloads)
Attachments latch7_cover.JPG (58KB - 418 downloads)
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-06 5:57 PM (#455414 - in reply to #455355)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		The new electric latch is now installed and adjusted. Just have to connect a wire, fuse and switch.

Bottom photo is the original latch.



(a.JPG)



(d.JPG)



(original latch.JPG)



Attachments
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Attachments a.JPG (105KB - 418 downloads)
Attachments d.JPG (114KB - 443 downloads)
Attachments original latch.JPG (59KB - 424 downloads)
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ttotired
Posted 2014-09-06 6:18 PM (#455416 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Perth Australia		Thats really neat Ian

Good job

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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-06 11:33 PM (#455446 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		It's now wired in - I had to remove the back seat rest, sill plate, and kick panel - and ran the wiring, switch and fuse. All that took longer than modifying and installing the latch of course.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-09-07 2:55 AM (#455454 - in reply to #455414)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Parts Unknown		And why would we want to install an electric trunk release on a Forward Look car ???

Not something I would even think of. Maybe I am just "primitive" ? .....
but the lack of modern stuff is what gives old cars their charm (at least in my eyes).

So, what makes an electric release attractive to youzalls who think this is cool ?
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BigBlockMopar
Posted 2014-09-07 2:59 AM (#455455 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Netherlands		Well, in my case, my '57 doesn't have a keyhole anymore in the trunklid, so it's become as necessary 'option' to have.
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1960fury
Posted 2014-09-07 7:07 AM (#455463 - in reply to #455454)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Doctor DeSoto - 2014-09-07 2:55 AM

And why would we want to install an electric trunk release on a Forward Look car ???

Not something I would even think of. Maybe I am just "primitive" ? .....
but the lack of modern stuff is what gives old cars their charm (at least in my eyes).

So, what makes an electric release attractive to youzalls who think this is cool ?


aren't you going to cut a hole in your 58 cvt to install a tremec or some modern transmission? an electric or mechanical trunk release does not kill any forwardlook "charm" but the removal of the magic jukebox push button shifter in a car like a 58 fireflite cvt does. and btw remote trunk releases were available since the 40s or 50s. really not hightec.


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1960fury
Posted 2014-09-07 7:11 AM (#455464 - in reply to #455446)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: northern germany		nice work ian. i added a mechanical remote trunk release to my 60 fury 20 year ago.
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wizard
Posted 2014-09-07 8:02 AM (#455469 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island		Nice work Ian, Penta-star and all
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jimntempe
Posted 2014-09-07 2:03 PM (#455508 - in reply to #455454)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Doctor DeSoto - 2014-09-06 11:55 PM And why would we want to install an electric trunk release on a Forward Look car ??? Not something I would even think of. Maybe I am just "primitive" ? :laugh: :laugh: ..... but the lack of modern stuff is what gives old cars their charm (at least in my eyes). So, what makes an electric release attractive to youzalls who think this is cool ?

 

 It's for convience.  If I don't have the keys handy but want to get in the trunk it's nice to be able to just push a button.  I don't think it's "cool", just convient. And it's not really "modern stuff", trunk releases have been around since before the FL era.

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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-09-07 2:54 PM (#455509 - in reply to #455463)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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1960fury - 2014-09-08 4:07 AM

Doctor DeSoto - 2014-09-07 2:55 AM

And why would we want to install an electric trunk release on a Forward Look car ???

Not something I would even think of. Maybe I am just "primitive" ? .....
but the lack of modern stuff is what gives old cars their charm (at least in my eyes).

So, what makes an electric release attractive to youzalls who think this is cool ?


aren't you going to cut a hole in your 58 cvt to install a tremec or some modern transmission? an electric or mechanical trunk release does not kill any forwardlook "charm" but the removal of the magic jukebox push button shifter in a car like a 58 fireflite cvt does. and btw remote trunk releases were available since the 40s or 50s. really not hightec.


===========================================================

Yeah, I get it. That is why I asked the question. The inconvenience of a key-opened trunk just isn't in
my scope of thinking, whereas a smooth shifting manual transmission is. And while many think that the
pushbuttons are among the finest Jetson-era attractions of a Forward Look car (and I agree in principle),
I just do not like automatic transmissions and the 3-onda-tree is unacceptably cumbersome to drive, so
a well done floor shift (using period DeSoto parts above the floor to maintain "the look") seems my best
possible option. Floor shift transmissions go all the way back to 1900, so there is nothing nu-tech there
either.

Regardless, I see both sides of the argument and I am not looking to stir up a fight. We all have our
priorities in how we like to outfit our cars. I just happen to not like automatics and the idea of a remote
trunk release never occurred to me ! All good intel.
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-07 3:49 PM (#455513 - in reply to #455509)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		For me the trunk release is a convenience item and also part of the "cool" factor. I happen to like gadgets, like Wizard, who has loaded up his car with most of the factory options.
An electric trunk release wasn't available as a factory option on the 60 Chrysler but Cadillac had them earlier than this. A friend's 62 Imperial has a factory installed release. The one that I installed in my Saratoga will fit any 1962 and up full sized Mopar without any mods but for mine, I had to make an adapter backing plate for it.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-09-07 5:53 PM (#455530 - in reply to #455513)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Parts Unknown		Cadillac had an automatic closer for their trunk lid that was really cool. Just drop the lid down within a few
inches of closed and the thing just closed itself ! ... don't let you fingers get in the way !
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LD3 Greg
Posted 2014-09-07 11:16 PM (#455568 - in reply to #455513)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release


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Location: Ontario, Canada		Hey Ian,
I'll bet it even works and opens the trunk while travelling at highway speed!! Certainly primitive!! Not hi-tek at all. If it was, the hidden genie would disallow that command! I like it and I have NO extra factory options on my car!
Greg
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-08 12:12 AM (#455573 - in reply to #455568)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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LD3 Greg - 2014-09-07 8:16 PM

Hey Ian,
I'll bet it even works and opens the trunk while travelling at highway speed!! Certainly primitive!! Not hi-tek at all. If it was, the hidden genie would disallow that command! I like it and I have NO extra factory options on my car!
Greg


LOL , certainly not hi-tech! Other than a modern radio I added under the dash, this is the only extra thing I've added to the car that I can think of. The old Mark-IV A/C was probably added when it was fairly new. I did try to add a power antenna, as I had an OEM unit but it will not fit inside the front fender where the manual antenna is mounted. The power antenna on a 1960 Chrysler was always mounted on the right rear inboard side of the fin.
So I sold the power antenna on Ebay about 2 weeks ago and got much more than I paid for it. $20.00 --> $140.00 :-)

Edited by imopar380 2014-09-08 12:12 AM
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LD3 Greg
Posted 2014-09-08 12:37 AM (#455575 - in reply to #455573)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release


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Location: Ontario, Canada		No, no I wasn't being critical. Everything on my car was added by me. It didn't even have factory PS or PB!!! I was just trying to go along with your FUN thread.

Greg
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-09-08 1:07 AM (#455579 - in reply to #455175)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Parts Unknown		I well remember the days when everyone was out scouring for every conceivable option they could
hang on their car. That seems to have waned over the last 15 years or so. I hunted up all sorts of
stuff for the DeSoto to the point it is a loaded bling machine. But with the Plaza, I am savoring its
austere status and keeping it very bare bones, even removing the optional rub strip side trim. It is
an oddly well equipped car for being a Plaza, but all the goodies are driver comfort items like V-8, PS,
PB, and A/C. From an appearance standpoint, it is spartan ... blackwalls, dog dishies, no radio, antenna,
or exterior mirrors. It is the polar opposite of "bling".
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60 Imp
Posted 2014-09-08 7:39 AM (#455587 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: RE: Electric Trunk Release


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Location: North Australia		I have inherited the "keep it stock (looking)" from this FL Mob. Glad I did, makes it easy when the invariable questions start (here in Aus,). what is it, is that original, did they really make it like that???, etc. I have made some mods to my car, but I tried to keep them hidden as best I could.
I thought about a trunk release, but my trunk lid fairly jumps up when you turn the key. It is adjustable I know, but probably difficult to adjust to open smoothly on it's own, and I aint adding a gas strut!!!!!

Without a hand on the lid it would fairly bounce on the hard old bump stops.

I just leave the key in the boot lock when we go out boozin' and cruisin'! (passengers drinking, me driving)

Doc, try posting your dimensions questions again, I waited 12 months to be told once. Don't give up Bro' we need you here!

Steve.



Edited by 60 Imp 2014-09-08 7:42 AM
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jimntempe
Posted 2014-09-08 12:33 PM (#455628 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Arizona		Do you make your passengers ride in the trunk???
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-08 1:21 PM (#455634 - in reply to #455579)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Doctor DeSoto - 2014-09-07 10:07 PM

I well remember the days when everyone was out scouring for every conceivable option they could
hang on their car. That seems to have waned over the last 15 years or so. I hunted up all sorts of
stuff for the DeSoto to the point it is a loaded bling machine. But with the Plaza, I am savoring its
austere status and keeping it very bare bones, even removing the optional rub strip side trim. It is
an oddly well equipped car for being a Plaza, but all the goodies are driver comfort items like V-8, PS,
PB, and A/C. From an appearance standpoint, it is spartan ... blackwalls, dog dishies, no radio, antenna,
or exterior mirrors. It is the polar opposite of "bling".


I also love the idea of a low-line bare bones car, but it grieves me when I see a High end model like an Imperial, New Yorker, or even a Fireflite / Regal Lancer etc, with manual windows and such!! I was lucky with the Saratoga, it is loaded with both electrical/convenience options and trim options.

Edited by imopar380 2014-09-08 1:22 PM
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-08 3:48 PM (#455653 - in reply to #455575)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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LD3 Greg - 2014-09-07 9:37 PM

No, no I wasn't being critical. Everything on my car was added by me. It didn't even have factory PS or PB!!! I was just trying to go along with your FUN thread.

Greg


Greg, no problem! I've been known to add and add and add factory options as well. My ex-1960 Polara for instance - it was fairly loaded when I first bought it in 1974 - with power steering, brakes, windows, automatic headlight dimmer, dual mirrors ( left remote control) day-nite mirror, brake warning light, rear defogger, front and rear bumper guards, rear quarter panel washboards, radio...etc. Over the years I added a power seat, mirror-matic, power antenna, electric trunk opener (covered on this thread), and the current owner, Ron, has added swivel seats and a Mopar Airtemp under-dash A/C system complete with a Mopar RV-2 compressor.

On my ex- 1962 Chrysler 300 I added power seats, a 7-button radio, and an electric trunk release. I still would like a power antenna on the Saratoga..... but the OEM unit won't fit in the front fender and I don't want to fill the hole and refinish it etc. as the factory power antenna goes on the rear deck inboard of the fin. Yeah, I like gadgets!

Edited by imopar380 2014-09-08 3:49 PM
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jimntempe
Posted 2014-09-17 8:51 PM (#456631 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Arizona		So my little trunk release project is done. Pretty much just followed what Ian did for his former Polara. I already had an interior trunk lamp so I used that for the power instead of running more wires from the front. I also already had plenty of switches and stuff under the dash so I mounted the switch for the trunk release behind the license plate, had to shim the plate out enough to clear the button. Now I can just palm the license plate to open the trunk.



(IMG_1501 marine horn button outside s annotated.jpg)



(IMG_1503 finished view from side s.jpg)



(IMG_1504 close up latch release lever s annotated.jpg)



(IMG_1507 front view of finished assembly s.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments IMG_1501 marine horn button outside s annotated.jpg (190KB - 412 downloads)
Attachments IMG_1503 finished view from side s.jpg (99KB - 419 downloads)
Attachments IMG_1504 close up latch release lever s annotated.jpg (207KB - 413 downloads)
Attachments IMG_1507 front view of finished assembly s.jpg (93KB - 406 downloads)
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-17 10:09 PM (#456639 - in reply to #456631)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		Nice job Jim, it's a little less crude looking than my original one on the Polara. I like having the switch up front so I can sit in the car and open the deck lid for someone who is already out there standing and waiting - like my son with his guitar case..... ;-) The solenoid you used is exactly like one I have on a shelf in my shop. I bought it to try and make one up for the Saratoga but being that the latch is mounted on the lower body, and not on the underside of the deck lid there was just no room to mount that external solenoid, so.... I adapted the other later model all in one unit to fit!
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jimntempe
Posted 2014-09-18 3:51 PM (#456715 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Arizona		I looked all over for one like you had used on the Polara but the only kind I could find were these cable connected ones. Worked out OK. It came with some parts I couldn't figure out a use for and almost worthless instructions. Even had a pop-rivet in the bag of hardware with no explanation at all as to why.
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1960fury
Posted 2014-09-18 5:09 PM (#456721 - in reply to #456715)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: northern germany		60 plymouths have the lock in the lid too and i didn't want any solenoids,etc there or cables running to the lid. the trunk release i fabricated is almost completely invisible. the release lever is in the lower part. not connected to the lock mechanism. i added it 20 years ago, still works perfect.
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jimntempe
Posted 2014-09-18 5:20 PM (#456725 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Arizona		60 Fury, can you post some photos? I'm curious how you did that.
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1960fury
Posted 2014-09-18 5:42 PM (#456730 - in reply to #456725)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: northern germany		will try. my computer no longer accept my camera for some reason.
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1960fury
Posted 2014-09-19 6:30 PM (#456819 - in reply to #456730)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: northern germany		here are the pictures. i welded a little extension to the release lever in the lock that is triggered by a small roller tipped lever mechanism i fabricated. last picture shows the interior trunk release lever. the whole "system" bolts in with no holes to drill. i used a maintenance free bowden cable with a nylon housing but of course a solenoid would work too.



(trunkrelease1.jpg)



(trunkrelease2.jpg)



(trunkrelease3.jpg)



(trunkrelease4.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments trunkrelease1.jpg (112KB - 407 downloads)
Attachments trunkrelease2.jpg (127KB - 407 downloads)
Attachments trunkrelease3.jpg (93KB - 401 downloads)
Attachments trunkrelease4.jpg (128KB - 415 downloads)
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imopar380
Posted 2014-09-19 8:44 PM (#456827 - in reply to #456819)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada		Wow, that took some thought to rig that one up! Nice work.
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jimntempe
Posted 2014-09-19 10:01 PM (#456839 - in reply to #455137)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: Arizona		Pretty darn clever!!!
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1960fury
Posted 2014-09-25 3:02 PM (#457378 - in reply to #456839)
Subject: Re: Electric Trunk Release



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Location: northern germany		thanks. yes, remote trunk releases are very handy. i rarely use the key. i store the fuel additive in the trunk and that way i can leave the key in the lock and listen to good old r&r when filling up
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