$12 Honda Element Rear Hatch Release

This video details how to install a rear hatch release in a Honda Element. Lots of ways to do this but hopefully this video give you an idea of what makes a mod like this work so you can install one that works for your needs!

[@HunterPunter]

Thanks to this video, it wasn’t intimidating and I was able to do it, while following along step by step. Solid directions and the material List was Key. Big Thanks 🤙🏽

[@HokiHoshi]

I did a "jankier" version of this to my Element camper a while back - best mod ever! This a great tutorial too - anyone who camps/sleeps in their E should do this.

[@wildsage]

YeH I had a jankie version for a while too! This one ought to last a while though.

[@mortiz9004]

Thanks! One of the best versions I've watched. Just did it today, noticed too late I bought a spinnable pulley, but a bit of creativity and some washers corrected my mistake. Glued a rubber gasket to make it look more finished on the pulley end as well. Thanks again for such an excellent tutorial, saved me a lot of time and money.

[@Sunshine-sr7tv]

It works! I have a couple extra holes from my error installing the handle, but apparently my measurements were way off. 🙂 I could only find a metal handle at a big box hardware store, but it's sturdy. I'm very proud of myself right now and I have you to thank! Your supplies list was very helpful and the directions were wonderful.

[@wildsage]

Way to go! Glad the video was helpful!

[@robertsherman7978]

That’s so cool! Great job documenting the process!😎👍🐕

[@wildsage]

Thanks Robert!

[@at330606]

Very nice! Add a cable end crimp to keep the wire from unwinding or catching on your sleeping bag.

[@wildsage]

YeH I was looking for crimps to hold it rather than the clips but Ace didn’t have them so I made do. They’re aren’t getting a lot of tension so the wire rope clips are probably overkill.

[@osbornek21]

Followed your steps and we love it!! Thank you for posting this

[@wildsage]

Glad it was useful!

[@dennyj8650]

I've a different SUV but this should generally work for mine! Great explanatory video!

[@sshaw4429]

Best demo I’ve found! Thanks.

[@wildsage]

Glad it was useful!

[@ReadySetElement]

Sage this is pure genius!

[@wildsage]

I can’t take credit for thinking of it! But hopefully this video is clearer and easier to understand than some of the other ones out there.

[@ReadySetElement]

@@wildsage Definitely was alot more helpful thank you Sage.

[@jeanariley7759]

Great job and very tidy! I spent $100 on a kit that does the same thing but no extra handle. Mine looks really nice but $100 vs maybe $35 or $40 AFTER additional pull handle purchased...no brainer! Thx!

[@wildsage]

I looked into the kit but couldn’t bite the bullet on the price!

[@jeanariley7759]

@@wildsage yeah I think guy from Channel Danny's Diy garage or something like that. I had seen numerous other videos doing it but they all looked pretty janky. His was nicest/neatest I saw til yours. Oh well😭Lol

[@jaybone8119]

Thanks for the tutorial, I’ll be doing this soon 🤙🏻

[@BCE-111]

Thanks! Just bought a beautiful, in mint condition, Galapagos Green Metallic 2004 Honda Element EX last month and this is one thing I really wanted to do. Right before your video here I saw someone offering a kit to do this for $79. According to my calculations $12 is less expensive than $79. Plus your design looks nicer. :)

[@wildsage]

Good choice!

[@FishingJen]

Wish I'd thought of the wood piece a few years ago when I did mine. I have to go in now & fix mine & I'll be putting some wood in there for sure.

[@wildsage]

It was my second go around on this too.

[@nefstar23]

Awesome video 👍

[@kasisyphus201]

I agree with @mortiz9004, this (as are all of your vids) sooooo good at explaining and showing the details of how to Definitely like the pulley idea. I don't know if others did this in their vids or if they just mentioned it. But you did a great job explaining how to get that to work. But 8' of braided cable seems excessive. I have yet to do this, so maybe my thoughts about the Element conversion is way off. I might need to buy 10', knowing my lack of any ability to work with my hands. Thank you for the vid!

[@wildsage]

Yeah I made this one because I watched a ton of videos to figure out how to install this thing. None of them had all the details for what I felt like I needed to know. So I thought I’d try to make one fully comprehensive video. You’re probably right that 8’ of cable was excessive but I figured it was better to overbuy in case I messed up. I think I really only needed like two feet 😂

[@kasisyphus201]

@@wildsage Again...thank you...and my Honda Element thanks you as well.

[@JaniceLalla]

Never thought about that about my minivan, I'm going to see if I need that

[@wildsage]

I think it’s probably the same basic steps for any vehicle. Just find the piece that moves when you pull the handle and figure out a way to do it from there.

[@kriskafowlski4463]

Thanks so much Sage. Just saw in 1 of your comments that your Element got wrecked. Sorry to hear. Hope you are OK. Are you going to get another one? Love your videos

[@OVRLND_E]

Thank You!! you made it look too easy 😉

[@wildsage]

It is easy! You can do it!

[@jameskirkpatrick1242]

This is cool I’ll be trying this on my hilux

[@sostupidyoutude]

This is nice

[@bcochnov10]

Awesome ease!!

[@wildsage]

Yeah once you break it down into what needs to happen it is easy.

[@VINZBROWN]

wowwwwww. THANK ... YOU!!

[@GHE2005]

Thx u Sage, I just put in the pulley for the hatch. I was wondering how to put a handle so I can close it. Great ideas 4 all the parts. I can improve mine now. 👍🏾👏🏾

[@wildsage]

Glad it’s helpful!

[@gav6808]

Good shit👍

[@wildsage]

Thanks dude!

[@JaredWallin]

I'm getting ready to do this mod this weekend. My only concern is the pull ring thumping against the hatch while driving. Have you noticed any noise from the ring since you did this mod?

[@wildsage]

I was a little worried about it but it didn’t really happen for me. I only got to use it for a few months before my element was totaled though. But if you are concerned you could use something softer as the handle.

[@courtneyhelphinstine3295]

This might be a silly question.... but with this mod still work if the back is locked? I'd like to be able to keep the back locked for safety purposes but I'd also like to be able to get out from the inside for safety purposes

[@wildsage]

Im pretty sure if you’ve locked the doors this won’t work. I always kept my keys and key fob near me when I slept inside. So I could just unlock it with that or slide up and press the button at the drivers seat.

[@CalamityKid9]

im no engineer but this seemed over complicated

[@wildsage]

It ain’t. It’s about as easy as you can do this.

[@SmallyTheElement]

Going to do this tommorow BUT for a handle i will just use a 3M Hook of some sort if i can make it work