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peateacrooz
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jul 7, 2007, 3:50 PM
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Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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 I just bought a 2007 Touring PT Cruiser which is great but I can't reach the top of the lift gate to pull it down w/o stretching as much as I can on my tiptoes or by pulling from the low side of the lift gate which is awkward. Is there a strap or pull available to attach inside the top of the gate? If not, any ideas? I'm surprised this hasn't come up before as the gate goes up quite high.
Otherwise, I really enjoy the car. Thanks!
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Posts: 10 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 7, 2007, 3:10 PM
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Cruiser RN
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Jul 7, 2007, 6:13 PM
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Re: [peateacrooz] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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 Hello and welcome to PTCC.May I suggest getting a rear bumper step pad which would go directly on your rear bumper.Can't reach the hatch......No problem put one foot on the step pad and you are in buisness....God Bless......Mike
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Mike Casabianca
His: 2001 Black LE with Auto Transmission, BullDog Signs Flames, WeatherTec wind deflectors, cargo area mat, PT trash can, PT valve stem caps and Dart's coldair intake, chrome tail and headlight bezels, chrome bumper inserts, chrome license plate pillow, chrome fender trim, 1940's retro chrome on front and back fenders, door spears, chrome hatch door trim, chrome gas door, brushed chrome door sills, billet door pins, custom "BlueHaze" dash mat, MRK Group lugnut covers, dome light trim, etc. and the chrome goes on......
Hers: 2003 Patriot Blue Woody with Automatic Transmission, Bulldog Signs Eeyore, Cargo area mat, WeatherTec wind deflectors, PT valve stem caps, PT trash can, "BlueHaze" custom dash mat, and chrome tailpipe extension, "Old School" wood shifter knob, wood and chrome door pins, MRK Group interior knob and switch covers, door surrounds, and dome light trim, chrome door surround trim, white eeyore window decals, smoothie hub cap, wood eeyore plaques ....and the Wood goes on
http://community.webshots.com/user/mdcvmvc
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Posts: 2282 | From: Yonkers, New York
| Registered: Aug 21, 2002, 12:00 AM
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FloweryBranchCruiser
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Jul 7, 2007, 8:00 PM
Post #3 of 16
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Re: [peateacrooz] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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There was a small discussion previously http://www.ptcruiserclub.org/...orum.cgi?post=193972
I'm not sure if it's much help, but it is another idea.
Good luck to you!
Or, you could get those really cool elevator shoes! 
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PTCC Georgia Director
Member of PTOC, PTE, NCPTC, LWOC, PT Old Timers Club
2004 PToholicsAnonymous "Most Obsessed"
See our calendar of events at http://ga.ptcruiserclub.org/georgia/events.htm
See my pics at http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292469427
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Posts: 2321 | From: Jefferson, GA, US
| Registered: Aug 7, 2000, 12:00 AM
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MICKEY41
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Jul 7, 2007, 8:04 PM
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Re: [FloweryBranchCruiser] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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2005 ELECTRIC BLUE CLASSIC
Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.
It means that you have decided to look beyond the imperfections
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Posts: 884 | From: Gilbert, Arizona
| Registered: Apr 24, 2007, 8:45 AM
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FloweryBranchCruiser
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Jul 7, 2007, 8:42 PM
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Re: [MICKEY41] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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Wait! This sounds like a PERFECT use for my wife's shoes!
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PTCC Georgia Director
Member of PTOC, PTE, NCPTC, LWOC, PT Old Timers Club
2004 PToholicsAnonymous "Most Obsessed"
See our calendar of events at http://ga.ptcruiserclub.org/georgia/events.htm
See my pics at http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292469427
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Posts: 2321 | From: Jefferson, GA, US
| Registered: Aug 7, 2000, 12:00 AM
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peateacrooz
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jul 7, 2007, 9:47 PM
Post #6 of 16
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Re: [Cruiser RN] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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 Thanks for your helpful suggestion, Mike!
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Posts: 10 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 7, 2007, 3:10 PM
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peateacrooz
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jul 7, 2007, 10:02 PM
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Re: [FloweryBranchCruiser] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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 The previous conversation that you included was a great help. I knew when I bought my PT Cruiser that I had to stretch to reach the gate to close it but the car is worth it! We just want to make it a little easier. His detailed suggestion is worth trying as we were thinking along the same lines. Thank you both.
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Posts: 10 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 7, 2007, 3:10 PM
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FloweryBranchCruiser
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Jul 8, 2007, 11:15 AM
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Re: [peateacrooz] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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My pleasure to assist whenever I get up enough brain power (such a rare occurrence). 
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PTCC Georgia Director
Member of PTOC, PTE, NCPTC, LWOC, PT Old Timers Club
2004 PToholicsAnonymous "Most Obsessed"
See our calendar of events at http://ga.ptcruiserclub.org/georgia/events.htm
See my pics at http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292469427
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Posts: 2321 | From: Jefferson, GA, US
| Registered: Aug 7, 2000, 12:00 AM
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peateacrooz
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jul 8, 2007, 4:13 PM
Post #10 of 16
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Re: [Dream 4] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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Thank you, Dream 4! This strap is exactly what I need to pull the gate down. You have been a big help. Thanks again.
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Posts: 10 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 7, 2007, 3:10 PM
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Dream 4
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Jul 8, 2007, 4:34 PM
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Re: [peateacrooz] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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No problem, I had to put one on my wife's PT sedan, as she is only 5'2" and could not reach the hatch to close it either, and she would get so mad at me, as I am over 6' and had no problem, now with my DC4 Convertible it's a different story as the trunk lid is so low to the ground it hurts your back to bend over to get something out. can't win..
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'05 GT Dream Cruiser Series 4. No.1109
My Mods
PT Trailer Project
Our PTs
(This post was edited by Dream 4 on Jul 8, 2007, 4:41 PM)
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Posts: 253 | From: Annapolis,MD
| Registered: Oct 24, 2005, 5:15 PM
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FiveVee
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jul 8, 2007, 7:14 PM
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Re: [Dream 4] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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haha, ya i have no problem with it. in fact the first time i opened it up i smacked myself in the face with the liftgate  never used a hatchback before and i kinda fliped it up fast.
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2002 PT 5-Speed. K&N "air box mod"; PT chrome door lock pulls; Chrome flames; Cow print fuzzy dice; more to come....
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Posts: 30 | From: Va Beach, VA
| Registered: Jun 23, 2007, 5:20 PM
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peateacrooz
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jul 8, 2007, 11:06 PM
Post #13 of 16
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Re: [Dream 4] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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Hi Dream 4:
Is there any problem with the strap getting caught in the opening when the gate is closed down? Where exactly did you install the strap - in the middle or right or left side under the gate? I wonder if my husband can install it or it I should have the dealership install it.
I'm 5 ft. and my husband is 5' 11'. Today, he put a cord through the wiring opening in the underside of the open gate but the cord was too slippery to hold on to and it took two hands to pull the gate down with the cord plus the cord got caught in the opening on closing the gate.
I'm going to order the strap. The price is right too! Thanks for letting me know that it works well for your wife. I knew there had to be someone else out there with my same gate lift problem and an easy solution!
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Posts: 10 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 7, 2007, 3:10 PM
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Dream 4
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Jul 12, 2007, 2:21 PM
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Re: [peateacrooz] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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Quote:
Hi Dream 4:
Is there any problem with the strap getting caught in the opening when the gate is closed down? Where exactly did you install the strap - in the middle or right or left side under the gate? I wonder if my husband can install it or it I should have the dealership install it.
I'm 5 ft. and my husband is 5' 11'. Today, he put a cord through the wiring opening in the underside of the open gate but the cord was too slippery to hold on to and it took two hands to pull the gate down with the cord plus the cord got caught in the opening on closing the gate.
I'm going to order the strap. The price is right too! Thanks for letting me know that it works well for your wife. I knew there had to be someone else out there with my same gate lift problem and an easy solution!
I just place it low on the hatch so that it hangs down 4 or 5 inches, and because of the rounded panel at the base of the opening, the handle just slides into the door frame and drops back down when you open the hatch again, just remember to attach it off to one side so that it cannot interfere with the latch, I put mine on the pass side so you would be closer to the curb instead of traffic if parked at a curb.
.
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'05 GT Dream Cruiser Series 4. No.1109
My Mods
PT Trailer Project
Our PTs
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Posts: 253 | From: Annapolis,MD
| Registered: Oct 24, 2005, 5:15 PM
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peateacrooz
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jul 14, 2007, 3:49 PM
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Re: [Dream 4] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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Hi Dream 4,
Thank you for your detailed description! My husband and son tried to install the hand strap this morning; however, they have a question or two for you.
#1 They tried to put it where you said and it seemed like it would work just like you said when closed and opened but they want to know if you installed it through the plastic molding or did you drill into the metal on the lift gate?
They were putting it low inside the lift gate on the passenger side near the hand grip that most people use to open and close the liftgate - where the rounded panel at the base of the opening would allow the handle to slide into the door frame when closed. This way it was installed into the plastic molding on the gate as the metal did not come under the molding at that point. This installation caused the molding to start to try to pull away from the gate when tugged down on so they took it out. It just left a tiny hole as they didn't drill - just pushed in the screw. They think maybe it's not at the place you installed yours and that maybe you put yours into the metal for a stronger hold. Otherwise, it sounds like your description. If your strap isn't in the metal, does your plastic molding pull away when tugged on?
#2 of 2 There is a little two-pronged plastic part that sticks out a bit above the screw on the universal strap. It seems to get in the way when the strap is screwed in. Did you have a problem with that and what is it for?
Sorry to ask so many questions but I really need the strap and you have been so helpful.
We almost have it!
Thanks again!
Peateacrooz
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Posts: 10 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 7, 2007, 3:10 PM
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Dream 4
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Jul 15, 2007, 7:20 AM
Post #16 of 16
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Re: [peateacrooz] Can't reach lift gate when raised.
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Quote:
Hi Dream 4,
Thank you for your detailed description! My husband and son tried to install the hand strap this morning; however, they have a question or two for you.
#1 They tried to put it where you said and it seemed like it would work just like you said when closed and opened but they want to know if you installed it through the plastic molding or did you drill into the metal on the lift gate?
They were putting it low inside the lift gate on the passenger side near the hand grip that most people use to open and close the liftgate - where the rounded panel at the base of the opening would allow the handle to slide into the door frame when closed. This way it was installed into the plastic molding on the gate as the metal did not come under the molding at that point. This installation caused the molding to start to try to pull away from the gate when tugged down on so they took it out. It just left a tiny hole as they didn't drill - just pushed in the screw. They think maybe it's not at the place you installed yours and that maybe you put yours into the metal for a stronger hold. Otherwise, it sounds like your description. If your strap isn't in the metal, does your plastic molding pull away when tugged on?
#2 of 2 There is a little two-pronged plastic part that sticks out a bit above the screw on the universal strap. It seems to get in the way when the strap is screwed in. Did you have a problem with that and what is it for?
Sorry to ask so many questions but I really need the strap and you have been so helpful.
We almost have it!
Thanks again!
Peateacrooz
Hi,
1.) You need to mount it high enough to get the screw into solid metal (be sure to use a long enough screw), or the screw will pull out with use, or if you pull to hard (like a windy day etc)
2.) You also need to drill a second larger hole above the screw hole, (just into the plastic), for the plastic pin to just fit/snap into, this is to keep the handle always pointing down and not allow it to rotate up so that you cannot reach it.
No problem with the questions, glad I could help.
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'05 GT Dream Cruiser Series 4. No.1109
My Mods
PT Trailer Project
Our PTs
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Posts: 253 | From: Annapolis,MD
| Registered: Oct 24, 2005, 5:15 PM
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