Fitting Interior Tailgate Handle to a converted Tin Top
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:25 pm
I have been meaning to do this for a while and eventually did it today. I hope this helps a few people with converted "tinnies".
I purchased the handle and fittings from Bell Hill Garage. Unfortunately when I first went to fit the handle mechanism there was nothing for me to screw into - just 4 square cut outs. I had to then find the correct screw grommets. By using the lush projects diagrams I found I needed 4 off Mazda: 9991-00-503 but after doing some digging the following are also compatible (Honda: 90662-671-0030, Nissan: 68425-H50000). In the end I got 4 of the Honda compatible grommets from my local dealer.
See pictures below but this is what I did:
Removed tailgate door card after removing clips and door strap.
Cut away plastic sheet.
Pushed in the screw grommets.
Connected the wire rod from the new handle assembly to the existing door mechanism after putting it into position on the door first.
Screwed new handle mechanism in postion.
Cut hole in door card for outer handle part - NOTE - do not cut pre-marked line in door card! Your hole will be too big! I nearly made this mistake but thankfully placed the handle recess on the door card to check where I needed to cut first. Cut about 4mm inside of the pre-marked line and you should be alright. Better to cut hole too small first!!!
I thought I was home and dry at this stage and fitted it all back together. The handle worked but the handle recess sat proud of the door card???
After scratching my head for a few minutes thinking "now what am I going to do???" I took my stanley blade to some old camping mat (no longer needed with the Bongo
) and made some foam spacers which I taped to the back of the door card and refitted.
I now have a very useful interior tailgate handle
I purchased the handle and fittings from Bell Hill Garage. Unfortunately when I first went to fit the handle mechanism there was nothing for me to screw into - just 4 square cut outs. I had to then find the correct screw grommets. By using the lush projects diagrams I found I needed 4 off Mazda: 9991-00-503 but after doing some digging the following are also compatible (Honda: 90662-671-0030, Nissan: 68425-H50000). In the end I got 4 of the Honda compatible grommets from my local dealer.
See pictures below but this is what I did:
Removed tailgate door card after removing clips and door strap.
Cut away plastic sheet.
Pushed in the screw grommets.
Connected the wire rod from the new handle assembly to the existing door mechanism after putting it into position on the door first.
Screwed new handle mechanism in postion.
Cut hole in door card for outer handle part - NOTE - do not cut pre-marked line in door card! Your hole will be too big! I nearly made this mistake but thankfully placed the handle recess on the door card to check where I needed to cut first. Cut about 4mm inside of the pre-marked line and you should be alright. Better to cut hole too small first!!!
I thought I was home and dry at this stage and fitted it all back together. The handle worked but the handle recess sat proud of the door card???
After scratching my head for a few minutes thinking "now what am I going to do???" I took my stanley blade to some old camping mat (no longer needed with the Bongo
) and made some foam spacers which I taped to the back of the door card and refitted.I now have a very useful interior tailgate handle
