Electric tailgate updated to Niro EV

  • Thread starter Thread starter etcadman
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Thanks for that link. Better than the handbook, but at the time I knew nothing. LOL. It was hilarious. I get far more from this forum than the handbook. I just love this site!
 
etcadman said:
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. View attachment 8258
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.
Click to expand...

Can you share the diagram about the wire connection? I brought a similar one and didn't know where to connect the open/close wires.
 
etcadman said:
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. View attachment 8258
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.
Click to expand...
 
etcadman said:
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. View attachment 8258
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.
Click to expand...
Do you remember the Lock and unlock wire colour??
Br
Casper
 
Casper Barsøe said:
Do you remember the Lock and unlock wire colour??
Br
Casper
Click to expand...
Sorry Casper, but I would have only "remembered" if I took a photo Too long ago.
I think the connections are with polarized plugs so it won't get mixed up. The only wires I remember manually connecting were power wires, which is straight forward.
My tailgate has been operating just fine even though I still haven't connected to the CAN bus under the dash. The gate is active whenever I have my fob with me, even when the doors are locked. I think it also operates without the fob if the doors are unlocked. But if the doors are locked and no fob with me, the gate won't open - secured.
 
I, too, have ordered rhe kit for this, but am unsure who I will have install it. Probably not the dealer. This is another example of a feature one might reasonably expect to find in a top spec model for a car in this price range, but Kia forewent to reduce cost, weight or both. My previous vehicle, a 2015 Subaru Outback, had it. But why isn't the light in the cargo bay switchable, and why is there no 12 volt socket back there either? These surely cost the manufacturer only a few pennies more, and don't weigh enough to matter, but would be a great convenience...
 
etcadman said:
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. View attachment 8258
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.
Click to expand...
etcadman said:
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. View attachment 8258
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.
Click to expand...
etcadman said:
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. View attachment 8258
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.
Click to expand...
I got this kit: https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32957085716.html
I had it installed at Hot Tint, the local speed and sound shop. Mechanically, it works fine, and I can open/close with button on the dash, and both interior and exterior buttons on the door. But the instructions, as you say, are rather cryptic, and the shop could not figure out how to wire it into the car signaling system. So, the key fob doesn't work. But the really bad thing is, even if the car is locked, I can open the tailgate with the exterior button, because it is not locked. The car alarm goes crazy, but needless to say this is not good.

Can anyone explain how to wire it in properly? I have attached the installation pdf, just in case that helps. I would really appreciate help with this...
 
MartyDow said:
I got this kit: https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32957085716.html
I had it installed at Hot Tint, the local speed and sound shop. Mechanically, it works fine, and I can open/close with button on the dash, and both interior and exterior buttons on the door. But the instructions, as you say, are rather cryptic, and the shop could not figure out how to wire it into the car signaling system. So, the key fob doesn't work. But the really bad thing is, even if the car is locked, I can open the tailgate with the exterior button, because it is not locked. The car alarm goes crazy, but needless to say this is not good.

Can anyone explain how to wire it in properly? I have attached the installation pdf, just in case that helps. I would really appreciate help with this...
Click to expand...
Oops! Pdf attached. The Chinese reads: Kia Niro electric tailgate English pdf...
 

Attachments

Has there been any update on whether those who had trouble were able to solve their problems? I just purchased a 2020 Niro EV and want to make the upgrade, but I am a little concerned that there are no great DIY installation videos for the Niro or Kona online and that there may be unresolved issues. I found this installation manual for the Voxx Electronics power lift gate for a Hyundai Kona (could be close enough to Niro) and it seems a lot better than the manuals that come with kits from Aliexpress. Maybe this instruction manual can be useful for figuring out any Aliexpress kit. If more people have done this successfully or found a new/better kit, feel free to update this thread. I greatly appreciate your help!
 
eranr said:
Has there been any update on whether those who had trouble were able to solve their problems? I just purchased a 2020 Niro EV and want to make the upgrade, but I am a little concerned that there are no great DIY installation videos for the Niro or Kona online and that there may be unresolved issues. I found this installation manual for the Voxx Electronics power lift gate for a Hyundai Kona (could be close enough to Niro) and it seems a lot better than the manuals that come with kits from Aliexpress. Maybe this instruction manual can be useful for figuring out any Aliexpress kit. If more people have done this successfully or found a new/better kit, feel free to update this thread. I greatly appreciate your help!
Click to expand...
 
Sandy Monroe complained about the lack of a soft opening and closing tailgate in his review of a Niro.

i’ve never had this feature on a car and I donut see the value. It just seems like another point of possible failure that doesn’t seem like it’s all that terribly helpful; it feels nearly effortless to just open up the gate with my hand. I suppose of my hands are full and I want to put something into the back, that would be a little bit easier, that’s the only time.

I try to think how many times I would need to open and close it by hand for it to be worth a $500 kit and eight hours to make an easy thing even easier. I think that number is several thousand for me. Maybe if I have both hands full that number drops down to around 1000 times.

What am I not understanding here?
 
That's a reasonable question; I hope I can provide a reasonable answer. Firstly, pneumatic bonnet/hood lifting struts are generally standard in the top trims of motorcars in this price range, as are automatic rear lift gates, the topic of this thread. So, when we pay over $40K for a car in top trim, this feature would be reasonably expected. In the case of the Kia Niro line, including the EV, they are not even available as an option from the manufacturer, so we must resort to after market kits. But why would we want them is the question at hand. Well, in my case, I am a paraplegic and require the use of a wheelchair for mobility. The ability to remain in the car and open/close the lift gate for someone to get/put something from/to the cargo bay has proven useful on many occasions. Also, the ability to push a button down low on one side of the cargo bay to close the lift gate, rather than struggling to reach the bottom lip of the open lift gate to pull it shut, is also a very welcome convenience. The utility of the mod is appreciated long after the cost is forgotten. But, why an able bodied person might be willing to pay $1000 or more for one I'll defer to another member of the forum...
 
MartyDow said:
Well, in my case, I am a paraplegic and require the use of a wheelchair for mobility. The ability to remain in the car and open/close the lift gate for someone to get/put something from/to the cargo bay has proven useful on many occasions. Also, the ability to push a button down low on one side of the cargo bay to close the lift gate, rather than struggling to reach the bottom lip of the open lift gate to pull it shut, is also a very welcome convenience. .
Click to expand...
That makes tons of sense that, as a reasonably tall person who is not paraplegic, had not considered.

I am curious why others like it.
(I had not noticed there are not any pneumatic struts even...I will try to notice next time)
 
David T in Silicon Valley said:
That makes tons of sense that, as a reasonably tall person who is not paraplegic, had not considered.

I am curious why others like it.
(I had not noticed there are not any pneumatic struts even...I will try to notice next time)
Click to expand...

Parents with kids and full arms. Which as a parent with kids I can’t afford to add lol

This is the one feature I am dearly missing in my Niro.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
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