Electric tailgate updated to Niro EV

Discussion in 'Kia Niro' started by etcadman, May 2, 2020.

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  1. etcadman

    etcadman New Member

    I've been having difficulties with my 2019 Niro EV when I close the rear hatch/tailgate. Often times the dash would indicate that it's ajar so I'd have to reopen and slam it. Well, I finally decided to convert/upgrade it to electric and just finished the marathon installation, about 8 hours total.
    I researched and found most installation kits cost at least $500 and most are sourced in China. So I bit the bullet and ordered through AliExpress, one called "Better Smart Auto Electric Tail Gate Lift for Kia Niro 2017+ years, very good quality, free shipping!with suction lock!" which including shipping cost about $420. upload_2020-5-2_18-9-24.png
    The challenges are that the instructions show only major steps and you need to be brave in popping off the interior panels, figure out how exactly to insert the hardware and trust that the different strike, latch and other parts do fit and align properly. I've had to cover holes where the bumper tops were removed and taped around the reduced size latch, otherwise it looks fine and functions properly.
    Now I can use my keyfob or the new buttons - on liftgate and dash, the only drilling/cutting involved - and the hatch automatically opens and closes completely, including suction. There only one connection that you need to tape new wires to existing - would have been much nicer if they just provided the end connector to just plug in, like all the other connections.
    Again, the only reason for the long time was to fingure out the details and install with a clean finish. Only last tweak is to quiet or possibly disable the beeper that confirms open/close and notifies if any errors. Might put it on a switch to opt to not make a noise. Otherwise it's a nice missing factory feature.
     
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  3. I would like on of those for my Kona EV, thanks for that;)
     
    mho likes this.
  4. etcadman

    etcadman New Member

    They have a similar product for the Hyundia Kona - search aliexpress.com for item 33002745414. Looks like it's less expensive.
    upload_2020-5-2_21-28-54.png
    This products are not specifically for the EVs, but since the bodies are pretty much the same as the ICE/HEV, the parts fit.
     
    Bruce Southern likes this.
  5. etcadman

    etcadman New Member

    Here are some photos of the switches and the new electric-motor struts, on my Niro EV auto liftback.
    Rather than placing the tailgate button to the right of the hand-hold, I decided to move it to the left, to balance out the lift edge. This meant that the switch, which comes with a plastic nut on a threaded sleeve, has a sleeve-size hole in the plastic panel and a nut-size hole in the metal back. No spacing for the nut to be between the liner and the structure and no way to thread/unthread to get behind the structure when attaching the panel. The electric-motor structs are noisier than the air shocks, but that's what moves the liftback/tailgate up and down. Nice to have the tailgate automatically sucked close.
     

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    Bruce Southern, Joev and spazstic like this.
  6. wizziwig

    wizziwig Active Member

    You had to cut small rectangular holes in the dash and door trim to install the control buttons or do they somehow stick to the surface?
     
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  8. etcadman

    etcadman New Member

    No - the 2 buttons are rectangular but have hollow circular bases and adhesive backing. Kit comes with a circular hole cutter on a drill bit. Requires a hole to be drilled in the plastic panel to mount the buttons, with clearance behind for the plastic nut. This circular threaded base is required because the wiring needs to pass from the button to the rest of the system. Everything is hard-wired - see attached photo from the website.
    upload_2020-5-3_21-34-28.png
    The cutting drill is contained in the rectangular box in the lower right.
     
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  9. Bruce Southern

    Bruce Southern New Member

    My New 2020 Niro EV is on order and I think I'll order this now to install from new. Thanks for all of this.
     
    Joev likes this.
  10. Bruce Southern

    Bruce Southern New Member

    Did you consider the foot sensor that goes with it?
     
  11. When do you get your car Bruce?

    I have a 2020 EV, sounds like a nice update.
     
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  13. Bruce Southern

    Bruce Southern New Member

    I AM TOLD IT'S NOW IN CANADA. SO HOPEFULLY THIS NEXT WEEK. CAN'T WAIT.
     
  14. Bruce, do you have it yet?
     
  15. Bruce Southern

    Bruce Southern New Member

    Well got a call today to say it's in. However, because the dealership I ordered it from is not EV certified they're having to send it 30 miles away to get it preped, before putting it on the road. So I get it Friday. Can't believe it myself. Apparently the mechanic who was certified quit.
    Now what is annoying me. (I almost swore there) is the fact I asked them if they would install the electric tailgate I got, after reading this article, and was told no and in no uncertain terms I was further told it would negate any KIA warranty. Now I'm concerned. Did etcadman know this? Should I be bothered? I really want it.
    Furthermore, I'm not to install the tuxmat mats I purchased for the same reason. They have to be the KIA ones that are available. I was given the attached document that states so.
     

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  16. I guess they have to cover their behinds so issuing the paperwork stating so does just that.
    Personally I would have just installed the mats etc myself without asking for their assistance, and follow the rule: "it is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission" , but it might be too late now.
    Maybe a blessing in disguise, your Niro EV should have ample range to cover the extra 30 miles for any future service work ;)
     
  17. cmwade77

    cmwade77 Active Member

    I guess it depends on where you live, in California, the dealer would have to prove that the modification is what caused any given issue and if they are unable to prove that, then it cannot affect the warranty. The same holds true for most, if not all of the U.S.
     
  18. RDA

    RDA Member

     
  19. RDA

    RDA Member

    It doesn't say tuxmats specifically. It says it has to have hole to fit the post in the Kia do I am pretty confident you would not void anything by using tuxmats, which by the way I have and they are great. The electric liftgate is another story. All manufacturers would void the warranty.
     
  20. cmwade77

    cmwade77 Active Member

    Only warranty that would be voided is anything related to the liftgate and again only if it failed because of the modification, but let's say the glass fell out because it wasn't put in properly. You would have done nothing that caused that and the dealer would be required (again in California and most of the U.S.) to fix it under warranty despite the other modifications made. Or the rear windshield wiper's motor died, again this has nothing to do with the modification that was made. Now, if the lift gate stops opening, then of course the manufacturer wouldn't be able to cover that, as that would be related.
     
  21. Bruce Southern

    Bruce Southern New Member

    Thanks everybody for these foregoing comments.
    Well at last I’ve got my car. Picked it up yesterday and I love it. However, there was nobody at the dealership who could instruct me how to use it and I know of nobody else but you who has an EV. The EV guy at the dealership had quit to start his own business. So I’ve got a steep learning curve. First thing though today was to take a picture of me and my EV showing charging. Talk about hilarious I plugged it into my home charger and had my wife take a picture. Then I went to unplug it and it was stuck. For 45mins trying to see how to stop it from charging, when it was already at 86% so I could unplug it, was panic stations. Nowhere in the bloody handbook could I find such info. I looked for setting where it was set to charge to 80% so why couldn’t I disconnect the stupid plug. Eventually I realized that my ChargePoint+ charger had taken over. So using the App I was able to find STOP charging. Phew!!! How the hell did you guys First Charge.jpg learn all that’s required with an EV?
     
    electriceddy likes this.
  22. Read the manual... twice.... that's how I start.
     
  23. This might help:
    https://insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/trouble-with-removing-charger-nozzle-from-car.8058/#post-91063
    Basically same as Kona EV, unlock all doors and you have 15 seconds to remove charging connector. You can also set the maximum AC or DC to a lower level than present SOC (state of charge) and this will also stop the charging process. In the Kona EV it is done on the center screen
    BTW enjoy your new car and be sure to post a picture:)
     
    jeff_h likes this.

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