I used a pretty low tech approach.  Not very pretty but effective.  I hope
you can see these photos that explain what I did.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eaEW6To6q7mxiYDPA

Edward

On Mon, Mar 28, 2022 at 2:00 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> 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.
> > >>
> > >
> >
>