Electric power tailgate retrofitted on 3IS

[ahmed24]

The 3IS seems to come with some spring system for the tailgate which is not as well refined as having a gas strut. A 3IS owner wanted to retrofit power electric tailgate on his 3IS. I’ve completed the project and the results are amazing. So thought I’d share a video demo showing the finishing result. All the buttons work. The boot is operated from either the interior button, the key button or the boot release. At a later stage, I will be adding the kick sensor to it.

 

 

 

[SuckOnMeNoots]

Looks good! are you able to provide a walkthrough on how you did it?

[ahmed24]

2 hours ago, SuckOnMeNoots said:

Looks good! are you able to provide a walkthrough on how you did it?

Unfortunately i did not document it as it was quite a time consuming and involved job. It involves removing the old metal springs then mounting ball joint mounting bolts in perfectly symmetrical locations by drilling. Then wiring it all up. Wiring up involves mounting the control ECU. From that you have the main Battery fuses connection and ground. You then have combination of different harnesses going to different locations like lock actuator, softclose pulling mechanism, lock switch, buzzer and internal switch in the boot. I will add a kick sensor to the setup as the owner hasn’t received the universal kick sensor yet. 

[scudney]

Once again Ahmed amazing job,well done 👍😊

[Mr_Groundhog]

This feature should come stock with the car.

The way the boot opens in the IS300h does not scream "lexus" to me.

[agent_dess]

I agree button should have been standard in this day and age especially on 3rd generation.

[ahmed24]

55 minutes ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

This feature should come stock with the car.

The way the boot opens in the IS300h does not scream "lexus" to me.

I’ve worked on a few is300h’s and seems like some areas Lexus have done some cost saving shortcuts lol. The boot being one. The torsion springs just look like metal washing rails. Absolutely cheap and pathetic in my opinion. Does not provide any luxury feeling. At least they should have put gas struts. 
 

The customer I did this for really hated the boot on his 3is and often has to slam it closed. Now it’s exactly how it should be 😎
 

also find it strange how they only add memory seats for driver on the 3is when they 2IS has it for passenger too 🤔

[Mr_Groundhog]

16 hours ago, ahmed24 said:

I’ve worked on a few is300h’s and seems like some areas Lexus have done some cost saving shortcuts lol. The boot being one. The torsion springs just look like metal washing rails. Absolutely cheap and pathetic in my opinion. Does not provide any luxury feeling. At least they should have put gas struts. 
 

The customer I did this for really hated the boot on his 3is and often has to slam it closed. Now it’s exactly how it should be 😎
 

also find it strange how they only add memory seats for driver on the 3is when they 2IS has it for passenger too 🤔

Ha! I dont even have memory seats on mine and it's a pretty decent spec with the big screen and ventilated seats! They're electric but not with a settings memory. As you say, should have been standard: you see 15 year old lexus that have them, so they're nothing otherworldly

[agent_dess]

I find the the most disturbing aspect of the boot:

When i first got the car i thought maybe the previous own broke the plastic cover leaving the arm exposed... turns out this is how the boot really is on 3rd gen!!
Visually it's something you would expect on a fiat and not a Lexus!

Why is it not full enclosed in plastic to hide it make it visually appealing??

😞

 

[ahmed24]

11 minutes ago, agent_dess said:

I find the the most disturbing aspect of the boot:

When i first got the car i thought maybe the previous own broke the plastic cover leaving the arm exposed... turns out this is how the boot really is on 3rd gen!!
Visually it's something you would expect on a fiat and not a Lexus!

Why is it not full enclosed in plastic to hide it make it visually appealing??

😞

 

Yeh that torsion spring system when I saw it I was surprised at how cheap it was. In their defence, they could have possibly done it to create more boot space so they don’t have to leave a void for gas struts in the carpet lining. Considering the boot space is being consumed by the Battery, maybe they felt they need to save space elsewhere

[Mr_Groundhog]

14 hours ago, ahmed24 said:

Yeh that torsion spring system when I saw it I was surprised at how cheap it was. In their defence, they could have possibly done it to create more boot space so they don’t have to leave a void for gas struts in the carpet lining. Considering the boot space is being consumed by the battery, maybe they felt they need to save space elsewhere

Still manages to get a decent 450 litres which is more than some non-hybrid rivals tho