Power Liftgate Addition Update

Definitely interested to hear how this is holding up.

 

I'm looking into this now too. Good info here and would love to hear about how it has been holding up.

 

I tried looking up KTJOoffroad.com and it is saying there isn't a website by that name.

 

Here's the link but it's not 250.00 try 650.00

https://www.ktjo4x4.com/products/power-tailgate-lift-5th-gen-4runner

 

Thank's for the link but just as I thought it was to good to be true with the same kit being that much cheaper.

 

For everyone wondering if this is worth it: No.

It's Chinese garbage packaged and sold by numerous retailers and it doesn't have robust struts, and isn't worth the time and trouble to install.

If it worked perfectly, sure I could see it being wonderful, but it doesn't. On a 2022 limited the only reason it's still there is because I'm lazy and haven't gotten around to reinstalling the OEM locking mechanism and heavy duty struts.

Chinese garbage. I tried to warn you.

 

Which this below are you referring to?

 

The power lift gate made for 4runners by Autoease and sold by numerous retailers. It's hot garbage.

Edit: the OP said he was happy to deal with an American company. Nope. So sorry. The company may be American, but the product is Chinese. I'm not anti-chinese for some things, but the power lifgate is not worth it IMHO.

 

Its actually 650, I don't know where you see 250

https://www.ktjo4x4.com/products/power-tailgate-lift-5th-gen-4runner?_pos=1&_sid=6dc1cf4c5&_ss=r

 

Wonder if you could use Highlander struts in place of those. Is that the only issue you had?

 

What’s the warranty on this?

Also, for those that say it’s junk, is there a different kit that you recommend? Or should the lift gate be avoided in general for the 4Runner?

 

I think Toyota didn’t make a power lift gate for the 4Runner because the lift gate is too heavy. I remember seeing people with aftermarket power life gate for the 4Runner bent the frame around the lift gate.

Other SUVs with power lift gate have extremely light weight and flimsy lift gates.

 

Is there actually any other 5th gen liftgate kits available other than the Autoease? I am really hoping to find one for my moms 2015. She is over 70 now and struggles to close the gate.

 

Hey everyone, Ensight Automotive Solutions here.

I wanted to pop in and respond to some previous posters.

The 4Runner kit is our most popular liftgate application we make and I have thousands of these kits on the road at this point.

We are partnered with Autoease to source a lot of parts for our kits, but we do final assembly of the kits and QC testing here in the US. We make a lot of modifications to the kits to improve reliability, safety, as well as the install experience.

Our kits come with detailed installation instructions with pictures and diagrams. We also have highly experienced tech support engineers available during normal business hours M-F to answer any questions before during or after the install.

If you are not interested in doing the installation yourself, we can help you find an installer in your local area that has experience with our products.

Our kits come with an 18 month warranty that protect you against any kind of manufacturing defects whether you DIY install or have a professional do it.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to give me a call @ 9 5 1 847 45 77 my name is Khody.

 

@EnsightAuto any comment on this? I have read about a dealership that had the lift gates added before selling the 4Rs and some customers had to have body work done to fix the bends they claimed were caused by the powered lift gate. Not exactly sure how that would happen unless the kit tries to over extend the lift gate

 

Long story short - The 5th gen hatch door itself is made of a very weak metal composition, so it can be prone to warping if the door opens up against a wall or is forced closed manually with our kit installed as well as if the hatch is overloaded with mounted accessories such as multiple filled jerry cans and a spare tire. The structure of the liftgate with our kit is able to handle about 10 extra pounds, so a light step ladder accessory for example.

I have heard of what Hans is describing on 4Runners that have been in a rear end collision and have questionable bodywork/parts installed that causes the rear end to not align correctly, but not on a non-crash vehicle.

As mentioned before this application is our most popular liftgate application and to be honest, our most popular product out of all the solutions we offer. If what you mentioned was a problem for this kit, we would not be offering this application for sure as it would put us out of business with the amount of used returned kits we would get.

 

I've considered this mod from time to time. For me, I've done enough research, heard enough anecdotal problems and have seen actual problems, nah, not worth it. So I'd really pay attention to the folks that are saying "not worth it". Search this forum and others, look for long term installs. Ask questions. I wouldn't risk major tailgate problems.

If you know who the Car Care Nut is on youtube, watch his latest video. He replaces power struts on a 201X RAV 4. Apparently, power struts are starting to show up as problems, maybe after 7-8 yrs of use - and this is with Toyota OEM parts. The replacement Toyota parts are $350+ for each strut. This is for a Toyota quality OEM part. Maybe Toyota sources some parts from China, I dunno, but I guaranty their QC is much higher than any aftermarket kit. The aftermarket kit does prove it would be an easy option for Toyota to have included. They did not. Nothing against aftermarket, some parts are great deals, some not so much, and in those cases better off buying the Aisin/Toyota part.

If power liftgate is a must-have, hold out for 2025.

 

Seems many want this, but I’m glad the 5th gen doesn’t have a power lift gate. When we road-tripped with our dog in a RAV4 Rental, I was terrified I would accidentally push the button down on the key fob and have the gate lift up while we ran into a store. If the 5th gen had this feature, I would definitely try to disable it.

 

I had a 4th Gen with the tailgate window button on the key. After a few times finding the window open, I super glued the button

 

I have a 4th gen with the soft close latch, you close the door down and when the latch touches, a mechanical latch then latches the door and pulls the door down the last 3/4"
When you push the button the tailgate pops open that first 3/4" and then you pull upward to lift the tailgate.
I pulled apart my 4th gen and 5th gen and the tailgate "hole" where the latch mounts is almost identical. I purchased a 4th gen 4runner electric soft close latch on ebay and plan to mount it up and wire it up and see if i can get it working properly. If i can do this, then the power liftgate options should work out awesome. I think the power liftgate actuators have a hard time closing the tailgate that last bit because when the tailgate is down, the actuator is actually pulling UPWARDS on the mount so it makes the door hard to latch itself.
PLUS the newer 4runners it seems like 2022+ have an even thinner tailgate, it feels so much lighter than the earlier 5th gen. Our 2012 and multiple friends have 16, 20, 21 models and the tailgate is so heavy. After year 5 of our 2012 the liftgate was starting to sag when you opened it, and it felt so heavy to close, you would have to grab the handle, swing it down, quickly grab your hand on the top side of the tailgate and push it down to make it latch. My current 2023 is easy as heck, pull the handle and in one swing the tailgate closes, you dont have to do the second touch operation. I think the gates must be getting thinner material or something changed, another member just got out of a 2021 and into a 2024 and he said the same thing, the tailgate is so much lighter feeling and will close in one swing down.
My thoughts are with the soft close latch, the powered actuators for the liftgate would not have to work so hard latching the back door. I am trying this and plan to either use the 6th gen actuators or Rav4 or maybe one of these kits.

 

Wow, lot of good info… I seamed to have missed the install time for a diy’r…?

 

Did you ever completed the install like you plan?

 

I’m looking for average install times to determine if I should do it myself or have it installed…

 

Do you think maybe the newer model tailgates seem lighter due to improved struts, perhaps?