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Over the years, we have seen some fairly trick and not-so-trick electric trunk releases and automatic lifts. When it comes to custom upgrades, our motto has always been "the simpler, the better". Most of the releases we see are way too complex and require modifications of the trunk area sheet metal. Our tech department set out to create an inexpensive, uncomplicated, and reliable design. We think that you will agree we have succeeded! Our complete kit will work on 1955-72 cars as well as any GM car with the flat shaft between the trunk lock cylinder and latch assembly. The only limitation is the amount of space between the inner trunk lid frame and the outer skin. At least 3" of space is needed to install and hide the solenoid.
Time Frame: Approximately 4 Hours
Image 1: The trunk lock cylinder is held to the trunk lid with a spring steel C-clip. A flat shaft PIN 35-143 connects the lock cylinder to the trunk latch. This shaft keys into the lock cylinder with a small foot at one end and the trunk latch at the other. Your original shaft may be reused for this installation if you still have it. Remove the trunk lock retainer, lock, and shaft assembly.
Image 2-3: To determine the length of the release cable, the system must be mocked up before final assembly. With the lock cylinder shaft removed from the lock cylinder, feed the shaft up through the latch assembly and install the cable on the back side of the latch. The hole in the cable for the cable end needs to be in the 6-o'clock (downward) position.
Image 4-5: The solenoid mounts on the flat area of the trunk lid between the inner and outer skin. To determine the length of the cable, mount the solenoid outside of the inner trunk frame to mirror the actual final mounting location between the inner frame and outer skin so the shaft on the solenoid is facing directly at the nylon.
Image 6: Mark the trunk lid and drill the two 1/4" mounting holes for the solenoid and bolt them to the inner trunk lid skin using the two 1/4" X 1" Phillips head screws with lock nuts.
Image 7: The cable keys into the hole in the nylon and wraps around the groove in the counterclockwise direction.
Image 8: Connect the cable to the shaft on the electric solenoid. Feed the cable through the cable clamp hole in the solenoid shaft and then back to the cable clamp. Using a pair of vise-grips, crush the cable clamp to secure the cable.
Image 9: The boot on the solenoid will keep the shaft from coming out of the solenoid. The cable should not be too tight, yet tight enough so that it will stay in the groove on the shaft.
Image 10-11: With the cable length set, everything can be moved from the outside of the inner trunk frame and to its final mounting location between the inner and outer trunk skin. The solenoid will be totally hidden when installed. With the cable connected to the solenoid and the cable hold in place, feed the lock cylinder and shaft through the trunk lid, through the slot in the latch assembly, and into the trunk latch assembly. Be sure the lock cylinder is oriented so the cable hole is facing inward. Secure the lock cylinder to the trunk lid with the stock C-clip and lock the cable to the cylinder shaft with the set screw. The cable can barely be seen through one of the holes in the inner trunk lid.
Image 12: There is a black wire and a white wire leading from the solenoid. The black wire is the ground wire and should be secured to the inner trunk lid metal. The white wire is connected to the supplied button. The wire can be routed between the inner and outer trunk skin and fed out through one of the holes next to the trunk lid hinge and then routed up the left-hand side of the car with the rest of the body wiring.
Image 13: The kit includes a heavy-duty button that may be installed under the dash. One side of the switch connects to the white wire from the solenoid. The other side of the switch should be connected to a constant fused 12-volt source. With the electric trunk latch installation now complete, you can just press the button and the trunk will open like a late model Cadillac! If there is ever an electrical failure or a dead battery, the key still operates the trunk lock just like stock.