Not sure if anyone else with a 03' and newer vert has thought about this, or even if it can be done, but since the lock is electrically released, would there be a way to add some type of electrically powered actuators to the trunk area/decklid to be able to remotely lift and close the trunk, say from inside the car?
Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power down?
- Thread starter pumpgas
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diamond head
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2009
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Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
Dont know of any that have been done but something like this can be used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Power-Lin...d-tonneau-cover-lift-street-rod-/271082458974
Dont know of any that have been done but something like this can be used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Power-Lin...d-tonneau-cover-lift-street-rod-/271082458974
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
That sounds like a pretty cool idea. Doesn't seem like it would be too hard either. I'd look at replacing the gas struts that support the lid with some electric linear actuators or something. Would need some fail-safe circuitry to assure that the latch is open before the actuators push though. Maybe also a force limiter like a garage door so if something is on the deck (like a heavy bag or something), it would prevent it from pushing too hard and hurting something.
That sounds like a pretty cool idea. Doesn't seem like it would be too hard either. I'd look at replacing the gas struts that support the lid with some electric linear actuators or something. Would need some fail-safe circuitry to assure that the latch is open before the actuators push though. Maybe also a force limiter like a garage door so if something is on the deck (like a heavy bag or something), it would prevent it from pushing too hard and hurting something.
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
I am not sure the actuators would work by themselves because of how the trunk is when closed. They would be laying flat (if you mounted them where the current struts are located) when closed so how would they be able to start lifting the deck lid at that angle? It seems the angle would be way off initially. Now once it was up about a foot or so and the angle was right I would think those could work.
I am not sure the actuators would work by themselves because of how the trunk is when closed. They would be laying flat (if you mounted them where the current struts are located) when closed so how would they be able to start lifting the deck lid at that angle? It seems the angle would be way off initially. Now once it was up about a foot or so and the angle was right I would think those could work.
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
Not sure how well it might work, but you might be able to put some spring solenoids where the rubber bumpers on the trunk lid are. They use something like that with some door poppers to help push the door open off the latch when the button is pressed. They could help to give the initial shove to get the trunk lid up enough for the actuators to have the mechanical advantage they'd need.
Not sure how well it might work, but you might be able to put some spring solenoids where the rubber bumpers on the trunk lid are. They use something like that with some door poppers to help push the door open off the latch when the button is pressed. They could help to give the initial shove to get the trunk lid up enough for the actuators to have the mechanical advantage they'd need.
viperprowler1
Viper Owner
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
What would be the potential benefit if this was able to be accomplished?
What would be the potential benefit if this was able to be accomplished?
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
I was going to ask the same question - with the amount of money and time spent on R&D, parts, labor, and testing. If this question was asked about a year ago (and I know it's only a question), the "old heads" (the Viper purists) who no longer frequent this forum would have had a field day with this one. Since I'm one of those old heads, I'm going to simply say that IT"S NOT WORTH IT for the few seconds it takes to open and close the convertible top on these cars.
viperprowler1
Viper Owner
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
Yep...my exact thoughts. That's why I asked the previous question...I wondered if I was missing the obvious???
Yep...my exact thoughts. That's why I asked the previous question...I wondered if I was missing the obvious???
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
I would like to open the trunk from inside the car so I can put the top up or down without getting out. It would make it much easier if you wanted to drop the top to be able to open the trunk, release the top latch, push the top into the back area and then have the trunk close down onto it locking it in place with the weight of the trunk.
Then if you needed to put the top up from inside the car,
1. you could hit the trunk button and just reach back with your right hand and raise the top,
2. latch it and then close the trunk.
3. Then get out of the car and walk away while locking it.
Now if you pull in somewhere with the top down, you need to
1. unlatch the top,
2. get out of the car and walk to the trunk,
3. pop the trunk, lift it up, go back to the side of the car,
4. lift the top into place, close the trunk,
5. get back into the car and latch the top
6. then get back out of the car.
I mean not only is it a pain in he ass, but it looks pretty stupid to be doing that in an almost $100K car...... In ALL of my other cars I don't have to do any of that $hit. It's actually getting to be an annoyance now and I find myself putting the top down less and less. Living in Florida it's almost a waste not to drive with the top down, but when I go to establishments I need to put the top up so all of my qauges are not stolen amongst other items.
I would like to open the trunk from inside the car so I can put the top up or down without getting out. It would make it much easier if you wanted to drop the top to be able to open the trunk, release the top latch, push the top into the back area and then have the trunk close down onto it locking it in place with the weight of the trunk.
Then if you needed to put the top up from inside the car,
1. you could hit the trunk button and just reach back with your right hand and raise the top,
2. latch it and then close the trunk.
3. Then get out of the car and walk away while locking it.
Now if you pull in somewhere with the top down, you need to
1. unlatch the top,
2. get out of the car and walk to the trunk,
3. pop the trunk, lift it up, go back to the side of the car,
4. lift the top into place, close the trunk,
5. get back into the car and latch the top
6. then get back out of the car.
I mean not only is it a pain in he ass, but it looks pretty stupid to be doing that in an almost $100K car...... In ALL of my other cars I don't have to do any of that $hit. It's actually getting to be an annoyance now and I find myself putting the top down less and less. Living in Florida it's almost a waste not to drive with the top down, but when I go to establishments I need to put the top up so all of my qauges are not stolen amongst other items.
ohlarikd
Enthusiast
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
The purists want the top unpowered for weight reasons. That is understandable. But I really expect the GenV Vert to be powered. Or, maybe the 'GTS' version of the Vert will be powered and the rest will not. We shall see.
The purists want the top unpowered for weight reasons. That is understandable. But I really expect the GenV Vert to be powered. Or, maybe the 'GTS' version of the Vert will be powered and the rest will not. We shall see.
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
The way things are going, we may never see a Gen. V vert........
Mopar Steve
Enthusiast
I am maybe one one of the laziest members here. Old fat and out of shape, but really? Too much effort to get out and put the top up or down? Wow. If the reason was being a gadget freak, ok, I could understand. It is just too easy already. The effort to do the conversion would be mire than the cumulative effort of raising and lowering the top.
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
Oh really??? To retrofit a fully functional open/close system of actuation and locking of the top let alone the trunk lid?
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
I wasn't thinking about the top as well, just the rear deck lid at the time as I didn't know the OP's original intention. I like the idea though. I agree that it would be nice to be able to drop the top while still sitting in the car. The top is easy enough to operate by hand as it's just the one latch. Opening and closing the deck lid automatically doesn't seem like it should be too big an ordeal since that's sort of what the gas shocks that are alread installed are kind of for, though space is always at a premium in a sports car, so I'm sure it would be more involved once you get into it. My main concern would be working out all the electronic checks that would need to go on so that any lift actuators don't apply force unless the latch is released and so on.
I wasn't thinking about the top as well, just the rear deck lid at the time as I didn't know the OP's original intention. I like the idea though. I agree that it would be nice to be able to drop the top while still sitting in the car. The top is easy enough to operate by hand as it's just the one latch. Opening and closing the deck lid automatically doesn't seem like it should be too big an ordeal since that's sort of what the gas shocks that are alread installed are kind of for, though space is always at a premium in a sports car, so I'm sure it would be more involved once you get into it. My main concern would be working out all the electronic checks that would need to go on so that any lift actuators don't apply force unless the latch is released and so on.
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
It will definitely be more involved. Also keep in mind that the steps for the actuation of the components for the top and lid has to be sequential - which then involves some sort of PLC. As I said before, not worth it.
It will definitely be more involved. Also keep in mind that the steps for the actuation of the components for the top and lid has to be sequential - which then involves some sort of PLC. As I said before, not worth it.
ohlarikd
Enthusiast
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
It does sound more involved, but I am sure there are components out there to control all this. Hot Rodders do it all the time.
It would have to be tied into the Remote Trunk Release somehow, have pressure/obstruction sensors, and be aware of its opened or closed status. Also prefer if it was all 'bolt on'.
Give it a whirl!
It does sound more involved, but I am sure there are components out there to control all this. Hot Rodders do it all the time.
It would have to be tied into the Remote Trunk Release somehow, have pressure/obstruction sensors, and be aware of its opened or closed status. Also prefer if it was all 'bolt on'.
Give it a whirl!
Re: Any possible way to make the trunk on a convertible power (lift) up and power dow
I would have to say that I would think that a lot of people that own a Gen 3 or Gen 4 convertible would have opted (if it was offered as an option) for a power top and/or even just a powered trunk decklid that would allow them to manually raise or lower the top from inside the car.
It is surprising to me that no one has figured out a way to power lift the trunk as of yet. I think the weight added would be negligible. I have added a supercharger, a nav system, adjustable lowering suspension, rims etc. etc. I don't think this is too much to ask/want for a powered trunk
If you have seen an SL55's top run through it's motions, now that is complicated. Raising our trunk straight up would/should be fairly ordinary in comparison.
Well I guess I am on my own I am going to contact some of these custom shops that build high dollar hot rods and see what they think.
I would have to say that I would think that a lot of people that own a Gen 3 or Gen 4 convertible would have opted (if it was offered as an option) for a power top and/or even just a powered trunk decklid that would allow them to manually raise or lower the top from inside the car.
It is surprising to me that no one has figured out a way to power lift the trunk as of yet. I think the weight added would be negligible. I have added a supercharger, a nav system, adjustable lowering suspension, rims etc. etc. I don't think this is too much to ask/want for a powered trunk
If you have seen an SL55's top run through it's motions, now that is complicated. Raising our trunk straight up would/should be fairly ordinary in comparison.
Well I guess I am on my own
I am going to contact some of these custom shops that build high dollar hot rods and see what they think.
