It is easy to replace it though, if it is something that you would like. I saw one on here that a guy did with a piece of leather...nice job.

 

We had the handle in our 2006, but missing from the 2009.

I didn't like hooking my finger in the 2009 center latch to start the trunk closed, worried that I'd get my finger stuck and slam the lid on the finger. But after a few weeks, it felt natural and I don't miss the handle at all. The latch is a bit easier to use because it's in the middle, no need to move to the right side of the car.

Also, I painted the rear edge of the latch white; and put strips of white tape on the inside of the trunk lid along each side of the latch- much easier to find it in the dark.

 

I just pull the hatch down by the inside latch, slowly, let the hatch rest almost closed, and push down on the top center of the end of the hatch gently to engage the auto pull-down mechanism.

saw a thread here on the CF a while back about a C6 owner that cracked the upper back fiberglass panel when closing the hatch with some force in colder weather...the pics of the damage were ugly !

 

I dont get this... they removed the pull down on the right side YET left the indention (some kind of memorial?)

you are left having to use the center latching "loop" opening that faces the side and seems more likley to "trap" your fingers if you get in a hurry or not paying attention compared to the original where its more natural faster/ easier movement to pull your hand straight back??

So with this logic, if someone cant get their fingers out of the latch fast enough and damages their fingers/ hand they can sue GM for same reason, now GM has to eliminate that part too?

next step: full power closing with internal latching mechanism?? =Higher cost

 

i have seen nice metal one for sale by some vendors on here,

i think when installed they look like a tacky afterthought

 

I have a late model 2007 C6 that doesn't have the pull down handle. All I did was order the handle from GM Parts House for a 2005 C6 and installed it myself. Wasn't too expensive and easy to install.

 

I just hook my fingers on the hatch and throw it down. Did that on my 97 for 6 years and have done it for 2 years with the C6Z and haven't had any issues. If a window isn't open the trapped air will cushion the force of the closing.

Bill

 

I actually added one to my 09. Not sure I would do it again, there isn't the backing material to actually screw into to support a new handle on my 09. I ordered a new handle from Fichtner. One of the holes I drilled was into a underneath support for the hatch so that screw held tight when I screwed it in. The other side hole had no underneath support, so I used the moldable 2 part epoxy in the hole to hold screw. I bought the mirror screw holder but didn't use it. It didn't have the clearance underneath to actually allow use. There are some closed rivet pieces like the factory used, but I couldn't find one with large enough screw hole. Here is a link to photos I took of the 07 handle.
https://picasaweb.google.com/Karman1...atchLidHandle#

 

My 06 has one but it's an accident waiting to happen! Never have used it... Not worried about a couple finger prints on the trunk lid.... I'm not one to close something with my hand on the wrong side of the item closing.....

 

I actually pull the lid down slowly until about 4 inches from being closed and then just press the top of the lid until the auto close grabs it and locks it. No need to slam it shut.

 

Funny... I found the auto pull down feature to suck; that's why I always slam the lid shut like a normal trunk. I was going to swap out the latch with one from a Z. I would have gladly traded you!

...still have yours lying around?

 

I've been parting it out over the years, so I don't have much left.

I have the shell/frame of the manual latch, and I have the striker that you'd need to swap out.

I have sold the guts of the manual latch, and I also sold the key lock cylinder/release cable that is different between the two latches.

It's not a plug-n-play operation. The two latches use different strikers (the part on the bottom of the lift gate that goes into the latch). Also, the key lock cylinders are different - the manual one has wires from it that the auto one doesn't, and the cables are different lengths.

Here's a link to a thread where I have some info on putting the auto pull down latch into my 2006 Z06. You need to scroll down to post# 44 to get to where I actually got parts and started doing the installation:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...ear-hatch.html


You can see that in addition to just swapping out the latch, I had to swap the striker, the key lock cylinder and release cable, and I had to rig that jumper cable in the fuse/relay/circuit breaker panel in the passenger footwell because the auto pull down latch apparently has the release relay internally mounted in the latch.

I also had to run a power wire because the manual latch only requires power when you push a button to release the latch, but the auto latch requires it all the time to provide power to the pull down solenoid.

If you go in the opposite direction to install a manual latch in a car that has the auto pull down latch, you'll need to add that release relay into the panel. Beyond that, I can't remember what electrical stuff you'd have to do.

So....I don't have any parts to speak of except the striker.

If you get into the project and have any questions, give me a holler!!

Bob

 

Come to think of it, I never tried to pull down the latch in the dark, that's a great idea. Thanks Jim.

 

Yea, that's the the problem I always had. I had to open a door first so it was a pain. I didn't even know I had it on my 08 Z06 and found it out by accident on my 10 ZR1.. Now I use it all the time and love it.

 

I think its great GM eliminated useless features that add weight, cost and complexity. That is called value engineering.