Thread: Manual tailgate release D3

Scott’s excellent manual has a parts list - link here: Manual tailgate release D3

You can use spring clamps to hold the bike cable outer (I think grip is better if you use heatshrink first) at the mechanism end and at the other end there are lots of options for the handle. Small cable swages make for a neater job too

David

Originally Posted by Russrobe

And the fun begins. What else do i need for the manual release? I'm trying to make a list as i read through, but have a feeling i'm going to miss something.

Piece of 3mm angle

Long bike brake cable

M5 bolt

2mm wire rope

Wire rope hold clamps


Was there anything else??
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Originally Posted by loanrangie

It's on my list of things to do , I plan to use a D1 interior door release as a permanent release.

An alternative is this from Powerful UK Upper Tailgate Internal Release Modification for Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4 (powerfuluk.com) note they recommend replacing the water shield panel that needs removing to do the install.

We’ll thank god i did this mod 7 years ago, actuator failed again all of a sudden with no warning on the weekend when we were about to go on a trip, easy to use the cable to open the tailgate and then remove the trim. New part ordered on eBay for $60, cheaper than when i did it last time

Originally Posted by sctsprin

The actuator died on my D4, and so i had to do the dreaded trim removal with the doors closed.

I added a mountain bike gear cable to the lock mechanism itself and added a homemade L bracket to take the strain, then ran the cable out through to the rear seats, ideally i'd use a longer and thicker cable next time though so i don't have to put the 2nd row seats down to reach it

Originally Posted by sctsprin

We’ll thank god i did this mod 7 years ago

Thanks so much for pioneering this mod James, I’ve installed a bicycle cable release on mine and a mates D4 following the excellent write up by Scott. All D3/D4 owners should install one, if you need inspiration just look at post #65 in this thread
Cheers
Dean

As a tip to those stuck and needing access, I found that starting the vehicle and getting the voltage up was enough to get the failing actuator to release. This was enough to get me through my weekend and to get it open to repair. At home I found a charger on the car was enough as well.

And a further tip (at least for D3) is holding the interior lock and unlock buttons together for two seconds forces the tailgate to release.

You’ll need an assistant on hand to open it or it will catch half way.

Important because sometimes it’s the external switch in upper tailgate that fails and not the actuator in lower part. This will confirm what’s not working and keep you going for a while if it’s the switch.

Credit BradC you can also program key fob to pop the tailgate if switch is broken and open single handed but you can’t do this with a broken switch as it needs to ‘see’ the switch. Program fob now before it breaks just in case.