Trunk Swap Tips? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

***DAMON*** · 03-07-2006, 08:40 PM

Hey guys, Ive read a bit on the forum and in my hanes manual about removing and installing trunk lids on my gen 3, but do you guys have any words of caution or advice for me? Im going to be putting on a new trunk lid that I had done up a few weeks ago on thursday and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly.

I know its just four bolts to remove the lid and that the latch needs to be adjusted to fit properly, but what Im not sure about is the stuff inside the lid- how the latch works and the cables for that, as well as the wiring. With my setup I shouldnt need the wiring, but youll see that soon enough

nothing too innovative but Im excited.

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated... Im sure you carbon trunk guys have been through this before. I guess Im just unsure about the latch mechanism and how that works. anyway, thanks for reading, Ill have pics up asap

felkajamine · 03-08-2006, 12:24 AM

here's a good tip, make sure you get someone to help you lol, it's not too heavy, but even with two people, one on either side it's still really easy for those corners of the trunk to scratch your car, so just be very carefull when pulling and replacing the trunk back into those beams.

just watch those corners so you don't get any scratches man!

***DAMON*** · 03-08-2006, 11:50 AM

im all over it, its not too heavy but im sure it will be awkward to hold, my bro is going to help me out. I also plan on putting blankets down..

i guess Im just going to try to figure out the latch on my own, hopefully it isnt too complicated.

felkajamine · 03-08-2006, 12:41 PM

there's just a cable that has a steel ball on the end, and then the ball is latched to a hook, you just have to fiddle around with it to get the ball out of the hook!

***DAMON*** · 03-09-2006, 02:40 PM

thanks, I got the cable swapped and everything... really wasnt too difficult. The new trunk is on and unfortunately it was slightly bent in shipping, so there is a dent by the driver's side tail light. Im going to see if my buddy's shop can heat it up and bend it back a little.

Unfortunately I found that the keyhole needs to be installed for the trunk latch to properly function. This is a pain because I had the keyhole shaved from my center panel, so the hole is filled with bondo. I need to dremel it out a little so the key mechanism will fit, but after that is done and i get it bent back it should be good to go. Ill try to get some pics up today or tomorrow if I can

***DAMON*** · 03-09-2006, 04:00 PM

here are some pics of the progress...

the new shaved lid:

Heres a shot of where the lid is pushed in, along the tail light... does this look like something that could be bent back by a shop?
http://i2.tinypic.com/r1cr37.jpg

Another shot of the gap, the whole drivers side of the trunk is a little bit off. I tried adjusting it with the bolts but it seems to be that the trunk was slightly warped in shipping and I never knew about it:
http://i2.tinypic.com/r1crya.jpg

This is where I have to dremel so the locking mechanism can fit:
http://i2.tinypic.com/r1cu8g.jpg

The new center panel that im going to seal to the trunk so hopefully it wont leak anymore... no more reverse lights or keyhole

http://i2.tinypic.com/r1cup2.jpg

RedPhoenix · 03-09-2006, 07:27 PM

looks good besides that dent.

***DAMON*** · 03-09-2006, 08:36 PM

I know, the dent looked really mellow with it off of the car... I told the guy to fix it anyway and I guess he didnt. I tried pulling on it today, I may try some more tomorrow or a rubber mallet or something... it looks really good with the panel on, just sucks about the dent...