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View Full Version : project thread: custom trunk release (finished 8-12)


AL
07-26-2008, 12:11 PM
my car came without the option of a power trunk release and it makes me mad having to use my key all the time so i decided i would make a custom trunk release lever so i wouldnt have to use my key anymore... (pictures arent the best because i cant find my camara so i used photo booth)

i bought a trunk latch off a guy parting out a car on w-body... (pic later)

a cable off ebay that came from a Deawoo Leganza CDX...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280011429999
it measures 11 ft in length
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/Photo45.jpg

i also bought a hood release mechanism off ebay and re painted it because it was pretty scratched up...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110270136708
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/Photo42.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/Photo43.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/Photo44.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/Photo46.jpg

next step is hooking it up to the trunk latch... i will update as a continue the project...

Where it will be mounted... test fit #1
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05061.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05056.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05073.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05071.jpg

took my back seat out...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05058.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05059.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05060.jpg

(it gets really ghetto rigged from here... i drilled a hole for a screw to go to mount it down...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05062.jpg

put a hole in the carpet to put the wire through...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05070.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05069.jpg

then i decided it didnt fit right so i trimmed off the bottom of the release lever...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05089.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05090.jpg

wiring the rest of it in...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05076.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05077.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05075.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05079.jpg

i tied it to the solenoid with some wire... sorry i didnt get pictures... the solenoids electric wire was broken when i bought it but i kept it anyway and tied the end of the cord to the u shaped device that pushes the latch open... best pics i got...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05084.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05082.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05083.jpg
if you want i can unscrew the solenoid and take some pics of how it wired in...

the wire i used...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05086.jpg

temporary hold until i get zipties...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05080.jpg

cant even tell its back there...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05091.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/DSC05093.jpg

all done...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/th_MOV05085.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/dabiglummix/93%20grand%20prix/?action=view&current=MOV05085.flv)

now i just need to figure out how everything goes back together...
terryk2003
07-26-2008, 01:07 PM
just curious...why didnt you just get a power release with a push button and mount it in the glovebox?...did the gp actually come with the cable release like that?
AL
07-26-2008, 01:14 PM
well because this is more unique and i will eventually be taking out the key hole in the trunk and if the power release ever failed i wouldnt be able to get into my trunk

and no the GP didnt come with a cable release which is why im making a custom one
LuminaPower92
07-26-2008, 04:31 PM
Is the release on the prix different then a Lumina, because even if theres no power, you still can open with the key, cant ya? I know my Luminas you can.
AL
07-27-2008, 12:04 AM
i decided i would make a custom trunk release lever so i wouldnt have to use my key anymore...

im sure im not the only one who has had to shut off there car, get out to get something out of the trunk and then start it again... that just really annoys me... and with a bad back its hard to reach in the glove box to open the trunk as both my 2nd gens have had it in the glove box
Brian P
07-27-2008, 11:55 AM
would be worlds easier to install a power wire, button, and solenoid like GM did, but I give you a C+ for effort so far.
pontiac6ksteawd
07-27-2008, 02:39 PM
I would like to know where you are going to put that, so you can still open your hood?
slick
07-27-2008, 03:17 PM
The lumina's pushbutton trunk release is on the drivers side of the dash, OEM....
AL
07-27-2008, 04:21 PM
I would like to know where you are going to put that, so you can still open your hood?


somewhere next to my seat... i havent test fitted anything yet



The lumina's pushbutton trunk release is on the drivers side of the dash, OEM....


pic?
slick
07-27-2008, 04:27 PM
The lumina's pushbutton trunk release is on the drivers side of the dash, OEM....


pic?


Don't have one handy, but it's on the knee panel on the left side. All you have to do is take your wheel off the steering wheel and pretty much push a bright yellow button right where your knee would meet the dash.
ManicMechanic
07-27-2008, 04:45 PM
I wonder if one could be made using a 1988-89 Grand Prix fuel door release...
meltboy1
07-27-2008, 04:50 PM
he's right, it is on the left side like he says. Nice idea there, should be a fun little project for ya!
AL
07-27-2008, 09:01 PM
I wonder if one could be made using a 1988-89 Grand Prix fuel door release...


part of the future plans for my car... but after replacing the filler neck and getting rust in my eyes im not so sure how easy it will be to hook up...
ManicMechanic
07-27-2008, 09:10 PM
I wonder if one could be made using a 1988-89 Grand Prix fuel door release...


part of the future plans for my car... but after replacing the filler neck and getting rust in my eyes im not so sure how easy it will be to hook up...


Putting the remote filler door release in is pretty easy. Friend of mine did it to his 1988 Cutlass Supreme.
AL
07-27-2008, 09:56 PM
I wonder if one could be made using a 1988-89 Grand Prix fuel door release...


part of the future plans for my car... but after replacing the filler neck and getting rust in my eyes im not so sure how easy it will be to hook up...


Putting the remote filler door release in is pretty easy. Friend of mine did it to his 1988 Cutlass Supreme.


any write up? where did he mount the release
ManicMechanic
07-27-2008, 10:01 PM
He used all the factory parts. The 1988-89 GPs had a dual release - one for the hood, one for the gas door - in the same location.

http://www.modernolds.net/forums/showthread.php?tid=2590
AL
07-27-2008, 10:14 PM
hmmm... now its got me thinking that i could use that on the trunk instead of its purpose of the fuel door... well wednesday i test fit the lever in my car... the next step is wiring the trunk latch to the cable
ManicMechanic
07-27-2008, 10:55 PM
hmmm... now its got me thinking that i could use that on the trunk instead of its purpose of the fuel door...


Which was my initial thought... :cool:
AL
07-27-2008, 11:46 PM
sounds like its time for me to go junkyarding
AL
08-12-2008, 11:37 PM
updated OP
slick
08-13-2008, 07:03 AM
I would have just put the pushbutton in.
swift13
08-13-2008, 06:29 PM
yeah x2 with the push button but i do like the idea of the fuel door my 89 prix had it and i never thought of that so now i might be on a mission
Night Fury
08-13-2008, 11:26 PM
+200 for creativity!
rockfangd
08-14-2008, 11:07 PM
my 94 cutlass never had one. I installed a push button inside of the glove compartment next to the light and it was the best thing i ever did. My Gp inspired me to do it like that.


But +1 for creativity
AL
08-14-2008, 11:16 PM
after monday the car will be torn apart for my college project and i will have the battery disconnected (another reason i did it this way...)

but thanks for the comments guys
notsoslimshady76
08-15-2008, 11:42 AM
I like that a lot!

I have two hood release trim pieces (just incase), and they both have that same little chip. I guess manufacturing defect.
Brian P
08-15-2008, 12:29 PM
I like that a lot!

I have two hood release trim pieces (just incase), and they both have that same little chip. I guess manufacturing defect.


:lol: mine too