Hey fellas, im generally over in the 99-03 7.3 section. But my 70 yr old mom is having an issue as her strength is not what it once was. She has a time closing her tailgate, and is thinking of buying a newer edge or explorer with the remote self closing tailgate. I was wondering if there were any aftermarket options i could install on her edge that are, well, aftermarket lift gate closers. She would gladly keep her edge if i could find one. All i could find in my google searching was stuff for truck tail gates. So i figured if anyone would know, it might be my fellow FT forum guys over in this section. Thank you in advance for any suggestions, God Bless and I hope everyone has a merry christmas.

 

I just tried a quick experiment with my wifes Tiguan. Adding a bungee cord to each strut does reduce the effort it takes to close the hatch, but not by much. The bungees stay out of the way when they collapse & the hatch is closed.

Might be worth a quick try on your moms car. And a merry Christmas to you also.

 

While it looks like it would be fairly easy to adapt a power lift gate motor assembly to your application (it's a self contained unit that looks like a gas strut on steroids) there is so much more to consider. The lift gate needs safety edges along the sides to prevent someone from losing a finger to a closing gate. It also needs integration into the vehicle control computers to prevent the gate from being opened unless the trans is in park or neutral.
Also, while the lift gate motor assembly will open and close the lift gate, you need a way to release the lock on opening and latch it closed on closure.
I guess anything is possible if you throw enough money and time at it (look at the Department of Defense) but I just don't think that a safe and dependable system for a 70 year old mom is something you want to cobble together.
Help her get a good deal on a trade for a new vehicle.

 

New vehicle it is then, i thought someone might make an aftermarket kit. I wasnt looking to invent anything. Thanks guys