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      09-02-2014, 04:01 PM   #1
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Retrofitting Power liftgate, Glimmer of Hope or Lost Cause?

So I've been really giving the power liftgate idea a lot of thought. It's the only major feature I think I'll miss on the X1.

According to Stabilus, the standard BMW X1 liftgate strut is part number 012158. At first I thought substituting different struts (with different ratings) might achieve most of what we want ("automatic" popping up of the liftgate through increased force with damping at the last 10-15% of travel to avoid banging, but no way to automatically lower and close it). But alas nothing is ever that simple and this kind of workaround would have negative side effects. According to 1engineer on another forum:

Quote:
There are only three ways you can make a rear lift gate gas shock "Heavier Duty:"

1. Increase the gas pre-charge pressure.
The result would be (without adding any weight to the lift gate) it would open quicker and it would be harder to close. It would also increase the stress on the mounting points. If you did add weight to the lift gate, it would operate closer to "normal" but the increased stress would still be there. Would it cause something else like the mounting points to fail? Impossible to know without all the data.

2. Keep gas pre-charge the same but increase the inside diameter of the cylinder.
By doing this, you would be able to lift a heavier load also, but it would still stress the mounts more. In this case it would still open at the same rate of speed as the stock shocks but be harder to close.

3. Keep the bore and the pre-charge the same but add better components, like seals, rod wipers, tubing and rod material, etc. This will add longevity to the cylinder life but it would not be able to lift any heavier loads.
So using different struts won't really solve the problem, at least not elegantly without introducing other problems. Back to power liftgates. I examined my Audi but their power liftgate systems are very de-centralized, with the motors and wiring scattered inboard of the headliner and all over the place. But looking at my mother-in-law's Dodge Durango and the compact, outboard power liftgate system gave me hope.





It appears the newer Jeep Grand Cherokees use the same system:





Their "self-enclosed" system is made by Stabilus and is called the Powerise system. According to their press release:

Quote:
We now produce our POWERISE drive units for customers worldwide; these include Ford, Chrysler, BMW, the PSA Group and the VW Group."
So I emailed the company to see if one of their existing systems could be retrofitted or adapted to the BMW X1 and they basically advised against it and added that they only deal with OEMs. Are there any other aftermarket power liftgate manufacturers that are worth asking (perhaps those companies that specialized in converting vehicles for disabled drivers, etc.)?

Does anybody think this kind of retrofit is not only possible but worth pursuing? Or should I just give up now? I love my Stabilus EZ Down product, which is basically a damper that slows down your pickup truck's tailgate from banging at the end of its travel. Granted, that is a much simpler product, but I have to think with some clever ingenuity, we can figure something out together!
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      09-02-2014, 04:20 PM   #2
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The car's low enough that this really isn't an issue, even for my 5'3" pregnant wife. What's next, soft close doors?
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      09-02-2014, 05:07 PM   #3
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The Spindle Drives from X5 might be an option: http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2503617/ES2578239/
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      09-02-2014, 05:09 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
What's next, soft close doors?
It's already proven the soft close door locks from the 5-er fit. I'm not sure for the liftgate though.
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      09-02-2014, 05:42 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d1saster
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
What's next, soft close doors?
It's already proven the soft close door locks from the 5-er fit. I'm not sure for the liftgate though.
Okay, Lambo doors?
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      09-02-2014, 05:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
The car's low enough that this really isn't an issue, even for my 5'3" pregnant wife. What's next, soft close doors?
It's not an issue per se but a nice convenience feature to pop the trunk when approaching the car in a heavy downpour with your arms full.
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      09-03-2014, 12:20 PM   #7
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We love this feature on my wife's Ford Edge. Surprising that it's not on the option list. Maybe the rear C pillar isn't designed to contain the lifting strut, since the major part of the design is an E90 wagon?
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      09-03-2014, 02:43 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d1saster View Post
The Spindle Drives from X5 might be an option: http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2503617/ES2578239/
Hmm, without knowing actual measurements, I would bet this would be too big (or too powerful, or both). Wouldn't an X3 unit be closer to our needs/size? (Or do they not use spindle drives?)
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      09-03-2014, 03:53 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWBig6 View Post
Hmm, without knowing actual measurements, I would bet this would be too big (or too powerful, or both). Wouldn't an X3 unit be closer to our needs/size? (Or do they not use spindle drives?)
X3 F25 uses spindle drives and probably is closer to the size of X1 liftgate.
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...20&hg=41&fg=60
But you are right, without any measurements or specifications it would be shooting in the dark.

4-er GC uses spindle drive:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...44&hg=41&fg=60

3-er GT F34 too:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...44&hg=41&fg=60

I found a web site that sell linear actuators in different length. Also they sell stronger mount links.
http://electric-life.com/shopdisplay...near+Actuators

Lets say the actuator fits (the aftermarket one, not the OEM) how the control would be implemented?! Opening might be fed from the trunk lamp? What about closing? I know OEM system uses a module for control, but in our case that (probably) wouldn't be possible.
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      09-04-2014, 11:53 AM   #10
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This is the one feature our X1 doesn't have that I want.
Subscribed to see if you pull it off.
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      09-06-2014, 01:16 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d1saster View Post
X3 F25 uses spindle drives and probably is closer to the size of X1 liftgate.
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...20&hg=41&fg=60
But you are right, without any measurements or specifications it would be shooting in the dark.

4-er GC uses spindle drive:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...44&hg=41&fg=60

3-er GT F34 too:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...44&hg=41&fg=60

I found a web site that sell linear actuators in different length. Also they sell stronger mount links.
http://electric-life.com/shopdisplay...near+Actuators

Lets say the actuator fits (the aftermarket one, not the OEM) how the control would be implemented?! Opening might be fed from the trunk lamp? What about closing? I know OEM system uses a module for control, but in our case that (probably) wouldn't be possible.
Excellent, thanks for those leads/links! You're absolutely right, even if we find an actuator that physically fits, the controls are another problem. I imagine the trunk release (triggered either from the cabin or remote control key) is only designed to supply momentary power to release a latch, so if we were to use the same circuit, we'd need to make sure 1) it could handle the Amps required by the actuator motor, and 2) could be converted to sustain power for the entire duration of opening/closing. Lots of places to go wrong. If we can't use the existing switch circuit, then I guess we're talking about installing another switch and tapping power elsewhere. Not very appealing.
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      09-06-2014, 09:04 PM   #12
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FWIW most trunk releases utilize a solenoid which is low voltage and short pulse. For the spindle drives you would need a control unit like this one:

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/5222...it-61357188110

So while I have no doubt one could get the spindle drives to fit getting them to work is the bigger issue.
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      09-08-2014, 11:00 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeEmDoubleV View Post
FWIW most trunk releases utilize a solenoid which is low voltage and short pulse. For the spindle drives you would need a control unit like this one:

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/5222...it-61357188110

So while I have no doubt one could get the spindle drives to fit getting them to work is the bigger issue.
Thanks! This is getting complicated for sure. Hmm, where's the "in over my head" emoticon?
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      09-12-2014, 06:27 AM   #14
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I pitched this to a guy who's sort of a "mad scientist" with BMWs. I'll see if he thinks it's within the realm of possibility (but I'm not holding my breath).
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      09-12-2014, 08:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Kleen View Post
I pitched this to a guy who's sort of a "mad scientist" with BMWs. I'll see if he thinks it's within the realm of possibility (but I'm not holding my breath).
Thanks! It will be encouraging to know if a mad scientist thinks it's feasible.
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      09-13-2014, 04:07 PM   #16
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He retrofitted soft-close doors and the Bang & Olufsen system into his 1er, so I thought he was the perfect person to ask LOL!
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      12-08-2014, 02:55 PM   #17
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So I see that ECS Tuning sells a "hatch pop kit" for the VW Golf that will help automatically raise the liftgate. (See installation video.)





I contacted them and they claim none of their customers have complained about any additional resistance closing the liftgate after this modification. I also suggested that they consider offering a similar kit for the X1.

I also ran across this BMW thread about popping Z4 trunk lids and found reference to this E36 bump stop with a built-in "ejector."




ECS also sells these parts:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-323..._2.5l/ES92303/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-323..._2.5l/ES92303/






Just more brain fodder to keep the gears turning in our heads...
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      12-09-2014, 01:16 PM   #18
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I subscribed because I think you're very close.

Keep up the good research and I'm sure many of us well keep up with you.
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      12-13-2014, 03:07 PM   #19
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Hatch Pop Kit

The product offered by ECS for the VW looks great.

I just emailed them (sales@ecstuning.com) to say that, if they offered a similar kit for the X1, I'd buy it.

Perhaps if others do the same thing they'll realize a market exists for the product and begin to offer it.
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      12-13-2014, 05:10 PM   #20
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I emaied ECS as well and said I would buy a kit if they came out with it.
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      12-13-2014, 06:51 PM   #21
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I would as well
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      12-13-2014, 08:47 PM   #22
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Same here
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