My experience was similar to yours. I have a 2016 Rav4 XLE and replaced the power struts with the manual units. I did not bother to unplug the old cables. I just cut them off. Saved me the trouble of removing the other panel. I have not disabled the power lift gate in the car's computer. It seems to work fine as is. Thanks for the great video! It helped me out a lot!
Thanks for the video. Just completed this on my 2014 RAV4 to avoid $1200+ quoted fix of powered liftgate and I cannot believe the amount of pleasure I am getting from not having to deal with the flaky / malfunctioning power liftgate. - In the 2014 model, there is a button on the left side of the glove box to disable the power liftgate -There are some cosmetic pieces covering the lower bracket screws; need to remove a few screws and pry up snap rivets to move the piece to the side. - I chose to just cut the electrical wires to the strut motors rather than bother open the plastic cover to unplug the connector - I placed a small step ladder with a bucket on top to hold the gate at max height while I worked on it so there was not tension on the struts. -Able to order the OEM parts for the manual liftgate online through a local Toyota dealer who was running a 20-30% Black Friday discount Order Contents: P/N Quantity Price Each Description 90105A0040 8 $ 0.93 Liftgate Lift Support Bolt (ORIGINALS ARE REUSABLE - but won't have thread lock) 689480R030 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Left, Lower) 689470R030 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Right, Lower) 689460R010 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Left, Upper) 689450R010 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Right, Upper) 689500R010 1 $ 44.62 Hatch Lift Support (Right) 689600R010 1 $ 44.62 Hatch Lift Support (Left)
I made this video primarily to show that it is possible to convert the rav4 2018 to manual liftgate with existing hardware and cheap Amazon struts. The hardest part of the job really was getting the mounting brackets off the old struts. You can always buy them from Toyota. Be careful, the liftgate may stop an inch or two lower than before and you might bump you head a few times while acclimating.
I’m having a problem with mine right now. I have a 2013 RAV4 and I tried to convert from auto to Manuel, but the Manuel ones isn’t closing. I don’t know if their default or if I have I to remove something for the hydraulics to work. Please advise me
@@bountygeneral4550 Curious if you were able to resolve your issue. I have a 2014 and just got a $1200 quote to fix and I honestly have found the power gate to be a nuisance anyway.
I like what you did there sir. My car's power liftgate was not closing, brought it to the dealer and diagnosed that the sensor connector is corroded and recommended to be replaced and quoted for an $1100 job. They cleaned it and working fine but still recommended replacement. I declined and told them if the sensor was just corroded and not broken why the replacement.
@MrTba198989 no it doesn't. You have to force it and work against the piston pressure. I ended up removing both and replacing them with manual, and it's awesome
I read the comments but found no answer, 1, are you still able to open it with the key fob ? Are you able to open it by pressing the button inside the cabin ? I know you have to manually lock it but the main thing is to open it
Also does the trunk just "unlatch" by pushing the original liftgate and/or by pressing the button on the liftgage? Or does it then only work with the remove trunk key fob?
@@dannyparmelee4940 The button on the liftgate door unlocks it. I haven't tried using the key fob or the console button.... guess I've never felt the need, but I'll try to remember to give it a try. The name of the Amazon item is "2 Pieces (Set) Tuff Support Rear Liftgate Lift Supports 2013 To 2018 Toyota Rav 4 With Manual Liftgate"
Glad you liked the video. It's a one-take wonder I guess. I am much happier with the manual liftgate. Wish it could be like the old highlander, but what can you do.
Sounds like you can buy the brackets from Toyota or you can cut the ball joint on the power strut and reuse the old brackets. That's what I plan to do. I just ordered the manual struts from Amazon for $27.
Just an FYI people,My 2018 Rav4 had bad power struts,I was gonna go to manual but then I would loose the value of my XLE,I mean if the Sun Roof leaks whatcha gonna do fill it in and make it non sun roofy,,I don' think so!,,,But anyway I ordered the power struts and was a little nervous about the install since the videos all said it was difficult,WELL IT AINT !!! After the right one was on the left one was oon in 15min,,,The panel snaps are a cinch with a small screwdriver,The plug just pop right apart,,just make sure to install the unattached bracket first then the other,all will go smooth,,,really really simple ! Be sure to prop the lid up since you will need to wiggle it a little !
I need to replace the power struts on my 2016 RAV4 but I read that the aftermarket struts may not last long. Instead, I'm going to convert to manual struts.
En la versión manual has de ayudar a la puerta a subir un poco hasta llegar a un grado de apertura donde los amortiguadores neumaticos hacen su trabajo y elevar por si solos la puerta
Thanks for the video. We are about to change them on our 14 rav4. Question about the highlander, is that toyotas solution to the problem? Add a 3rd support shock? Also my parents have a 14 explorer with a ton of miles and the supports on that liftgate still work. Sucks cus we always saw toyotas as more reliable vehicles.
Ironically I am watching this video because my 2021 Toyota Venza power lift gate is failing. The car is 1 1/2 years old. I am currently waiting for the Dealership to order the parts to replace it. It has been over 2 weeks and no parts yet. So I guess the part will fail again in 1 1/2 year and I will have to replace it myself.
Im glad they're selling those vensas again... Seem like a good station wagony vehicle. I'm noticing all my Toyotas have had little non critical issues like this one which are just annoying, but are overall very reliable. Maybe you'll get lucky and get four years out of the new set and then you can convert like me.
My experience was similar to yours. I have a 2016 Rav4 XLE and replaced the power struts with the manual units. I did not bother to unplug the old cables. I just cut them off. Saved me the trouble of removing the other panel. I have not disabled the power lift gate in the car's computer. It seems to work fine as is. Thanks for the great video! It helped me out a lot!
Glad the video helped.
Thanks for the video.
Just completed this on my 2014 RAV4 to avoid $1200+ quoted fix of powered liftgate and I cannot believe the amount of pleasure I am getting from not having to deal with the flaky / malfunctioning power liftgate.
- In the 2014 model, there is a button on the left side of the glove box to disable the power liftgate
-There are some cosmetic pieces covering the lower bracket screws; need to remove a few screws and pry up snap rivets to move the piece to the side.
- I chose to just cut the electrical wires to the strut motors rather than bother open the plastic cover to unplug the connector
- I placed a small step ladder with a bucket on top to hold the gate at max height while I worked on it so there was not tension on the struts.
-Able to order the OEM parts for the manual liftgate online through a local Toyota dealer who was running a 20-30% Black Friday discount
Order Contents:
P/N Quantity Price Each Description
90105A0040 8 $ 0.93 Liftgate Lift Support Bolt (ORIGINALS ARE REUSABLE - but won't have thread lock)
689480R030 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Left, Lower)
689470R030 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Right, Lower)
689460R010 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Left, Upper)
689450R010 1 $ 14.07 Liftgate Support Strut Holder (Right, Upper)
689500R010 1 $ 44.62 Hatch Lift Support (Right)
689600R010 1 $ 44.62 Hatch Lift Support (Left)
Hi why does the button inside the glove box need to be disabled 🤔? Wouldn't that just make the liftgate not open from the outside either
I made this video primarily to show that it is possible to convert the rav4 2018 to manual liftgate with existing hardware and cheap Amazon struts. The hardest part of the job really was getting the mounting brackets off the old struts. You can always buy them from Toyota. Be careful, the liftgate may stop an inch or two lower than before and you might bump you head a few times while acclimating.
I’m having a problem with mine right now. I have a 2013 RAV4 and I tried to convert from auto to Manuel, but the Manuel ones isn’t closing. I don’t know if their default or if I have I to remove something for the hydraulics to work. Please advise me
@@bountygeneral4550 Curious if you were able to resolve your issue. I have a 2014 and just got a $1200 quote to fix and I honestly have found the power gate to be a nuisance anyway.
@@bountygeneral4550 Maybe you need to make sure the power lift setting is turned off. I think it's a switch located inside the glove box.
I like what you did there sir. My car's power liftgate was not closing, brought it to the dealer and diagnosed that the sensor connector is corroded and recommended to be replaced and quoted for an $1100 job. They cleaned it and working fine but still recommended replacement. I declined and told them if the sensor was just corroded and not broken why the replacement.
I just converted my 2013 Ra4 it was a pain in the ass for a long time. It's better than the automatic liftgate. Easy and clean.
Does it close/open manually when the electric door fails? Looking to buy a 2013 rav4 with electric door.
@MrTba198989 no it doesn't. You have to force it and work against the piston pressure. I ended up removing both and replacing them with manual, and it's awesome
Holaaa.
?Algún problema en el cuadro de mandos al dejar desconectado el motor eléctrico?
Gracias
I read the comments but found no answer,
1, are you still able to open it with the key fob ?
Are you able to open it by pressing the button inside the cabin ?
I know you have to manually lock it but the main thing is to open it
This video is awesome! I've been wanting to do this since i purchased my 2017 Rav4. Can you give a link to the manual struts you purchased off amazon.
Also does the trunk just "unlatch" by pushing the original liftgate and/or by pressing the button on the liftgage? Or does it then only work with the remove trunk key fob?
@@dannyparmelee4940 The button on the liftgate door unlocks it. I haven't tried using the key fob or the console button.... guess I've never felt the need, but I'll try to remember to give it a try. The name of the Amazon item is "2 Pieces (Set) Tuff Support Rear Liftgate Lift Supports 2013 To 2018 Toyota Rav 4 With Manual Liftgate"
Glad you liked the video. It's a one-take wonder I guess. I am much happier with the manual liftgate. Wish it could be like the old highlander, but what can you do.
These are the ones I used and they worked great!! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XPZR18Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
@@ericeinsmann5559 I used these ones too, but they don't lift as high as the power struts did. Did you notice the same?
Did u have to switch the brackets too or did u just change the struts ?
Sounds like you can buy the brackets from Toyota or you can cut the ball joint on the power strut and reuse the old brackets. That's what I plan to do. I just ordered the manual struts from Amazon for $27.
@edreeves6000 becareful torquing down the bolts to the brackets. I snapped a bolt and it added extra work.
Just an FYI people,My 2018 Rav4 had bad power struts,I was gonna go to manual but then I would loose the value of my XLE,I mean if the Sun Roof leaks whatcha gonna do fill it in and make it non sun roofy,,I don' think so!,,,But anyway I ordered the power struts and was a little nervous about the install since the videos all said it was difficult,WELL IT AINT !!! After the right one was on the left one was oon in 15min,,,The panel snaps are a cinch with a small screwdriver,The plug just pop right apart,,just make sure to install the unattached bracket first then the other,all will go smooth,,,really really simple ! Be sure to prop the lid up since you will need to wiggle it a little !
I need to replace the power struts on my 2016 RAV4 but I read that the aftermarket struts may not last long. Instead, I'm going to convert to manual struts.
Please , if I change my 2014 rav4 lift gate automatic to manual. Can I still open it from inside or use remote to open it ?
No because it not automatic even in a base rav4 you gotta to unlock it to open from the outside
En la versión manual has de ayudar a la puerta a subir un poco hasta llegar a un grado de apertura donde los amortiguadores neumaticos hacen su trabajo y elevar por si solos la puerta
What Extended Length size should be??? Help me please because I bought once and they are too small
How long are they
Thanks for the video. We are about to change them on our 14 rav4. Question about the highlander, is that toyotas solution to the problem? Add a 3rd support shock? Also my parents have a 14 explorer with a ton of miles and the supports on that liftgate still work. Sucks cus we always saw toyotas as more reliable vehicles.
Glad the vid helped. I don't know about converting the Highlander but I imagine 2 struts r enough.
Hey I changed mine to a Manuel lift gate but the struts are not closing
❤
hi does the tailgate door still lock itself in after closing . without the power struts
Yes it locks
I HATE POWER L/Gs!!!
Ironically I am watching this video because my 2021 Toyota Venza power lift gate is failing. The car is 1 1/2 years old. I am currently waiting for the Dealership to order the parts to replace it. It has been over 2 weeks and no parts yet. So I guess the part will fail again in 1 1/2 year and I will have to replace it myself.
Im glad they're selling those vensas again... Seem like a good station wagony vehicle. I'm noticing all my Toyotas have had little non critical issues like this one which are just annoying, but are overall very reliable. Maybe you'll get lucky and get four years out of the new set and then you can convert like me.