Here's another link on the same topic

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352626

On Mon, Mar 28, 2022 at 7:57 AM Jack R <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:

> Found this on TheSamba
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=677329
>
> Great idea to use Bike Cable
>
> I'm going to do a hybrid of Jim's suggestions and the door handle in
> TheSamba.
>
> Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea.
>
> Jack
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of John Rodgers
> Sent: Monday, March 28, 2022 7:18 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: VAN Rear Inside Hatch Opener
>
> Awesome, thanks!
>
> On Sun, Mar 27, 2022 at 6:04 PM Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > John, there has been a lot posted about it, and I did mine long ago so I
> > will try and remember. When it is light enough tomorrow I will try to
> send
> > you a picture of where the wire goes through the inside hatch sheet
> metal,
> > that is the one of two holes you have to drill. A picture will keep you
> > from having to make a couple of trial holes like i did. They are tiny
> > though, and they are hidden by the rear mattress unless you look up at
> the
> > inside of the door with the hatch open.
> >
> > 1. Acquire a bicycle brake cable at a bike shop. It will have a small
> > piece of metal swaged onto the end of it that will act as a stop. Pick
> up a
> > small cable clamp. I don't remember where mine came from but I doubt it
> was
> > a bike shop, probably Ace or Home Depot. Pick up a garage door pull
> handle
> > or whatever you want to use as a pull handle. The poly garage door pull
> > handle is safe on things if you shut the hatch with something in the way,
> > and it is easy to find in the dark. I think I took mine of the emergency
> > release on my garage door and replaced it with something else like a lawn
> > mower pull handle.
> >
> > 2. Remove your rear door card.
> >
> > 3. Work from inside the car. Examine the mechanism to locate the metal
> > piece that, when pulled (from the inside, or pushed by the button from
> the
> > outside) and punch a dimple and drill a hole through it large enough for
> > the brake cable to pass through but not large enough for the swaged end
> to
> > fit through. Insert the cut end of the brake cable through the hole from
> > the inside.
> >
> > 4. Going by the picture I send or your own good sense, drill another hole
> > through the inside door sheet metal that will allow the new hole to align
> > as closely as possible with the first hole you drilled. The idea is to
> give
> > the cable a fair pull without a lot of angle that could make it stick or
> > wear the cable out easily. Lead the cut end of the cable through the rear
> > hatch sheet metal hole you just drilled and test it to make sure it works
> > by pulling on the wire to ensure it will release the hatch lock.
> >
> > 5. Use the small cable clamp and the handle of choice to affix the handle
> > to the end of the cable and trim the cable.
> >
> > 6. Refit the rear hatch card.
> >
> > This works the same on all years and all styles as far as I know.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > On Sun, Mar 27, 2022 at 1:09 PM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Jim, I have an electric lock but the driver motor is mechanically
> >> disconnected from the lock. Don't plan on putting it back that way.
>  Can
> >> you better describe your solution? Or send a picture. It could be that I
> >> have a different lock.
> >>
> >> Planning to come your way one of these days for a visit now that I have
> >> my van back. Be nice to see you again.
> >>
> >
>