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Indent in the roof?

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Has anyone ever experimented with power lift gate technology?
I have installed one from a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country in my car.
I kept all the bells and whistles with the system, however you can eliminate all of them and use just the linear actuator if you want.
System is engaged by a magnetic clutch and when power is turned off the clutch disengages the drive system allowing you to open and close the canopy manually.

So if the drive system fails for any reason you can still open and close the canopy manually(your not trapped inside).system still uses the gas struts for manual operation and in assisting the power lift system.

Keeping the bells and whistles means you have pinch sensors, limiting switches, Key fob operation(remote open and closing and lock-unlock operation, you can have remote start also if you desire but I didn't bother with this), pull down latch operation(I think thats it)
 

aliusa

Member
@Brett Proctor

That's really cool! So the power lift works in conjunction with the existing gas struts. Assuming that's because the weight of the canopy is much heavier? I'd like to see where you installed the actuator. What actuator rod did you use?
 

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
@Brett Proctor

That's really cool! So the power lift works in conjunction with the existing gas struts. Assuming that's because the weight of the canopy is much heavier? I'd like to see where you installed the actuator. What actuator rod did you use?
Main reason for the struts is for holding the canopy open. When the power lift system reaches its end of travel it disengages(its programed to do that)
I tested the lifting force on one unit and it put out over 200 pounds of force.

I redesigned the lifting arms on my car and because of this, the setup is not the same as an oem unit. Actuator is located in the side of the car. Hidden in the side pods.
 

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Did you put it in the spot Sebrings have the linear actuator ?
I'm not familiar with the Sebrings setup.
Be warned anyone considering this system, I removed all the electronics from the donor car to retain all the safety features. If you choose to install just the power drive unit the magnetic clutch will drain the battery if its left energized 24/7 and I don't know if there will be any issues if left energized 24/7. It was not meant to be left energized for that long.
Also I don't know the results if you use it to hold the canopy closed like the hydraulic units.

You will need some means to hold the canopy closed when the system is not energized
 
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