Gobi Ladder
- Thread starter ty240
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Any idea how to avoid pinching it?
PhuckItImDone
SILVER Star
Not from my end. Had someone else do it, and it seems they pinched it, so I guess I ****ed that one up.
If installing on a Land Cruiser I would think Gobi had designed it so it would not pinch unless maybe the installer made a mistake.
In my case making it fit the LX caused issues as the lower section of the top hatch is different.
I had Gobi install my the rack and ladder last year. Afterward, the liftgate wouldn't close -- just beeped. The tech had the gall to tell me it was already like that.
Anyway, after some back-and-forth with Paul Badillo, he agreed to pay my bill with Toyota to diagnose the problem (his tech had cut that pinch sensor), reimburse me for the sensor (about $500), and install it. Once they installed the new pinch sensor, it's been fine ever since.I'm surprised they didn't learn the first time?
PhuckItImDone
SILVER Star
If I had them do it I'm sure they wouldn't have. I had a local shop do it. Dont know if I'm looking to get into that s*** show, especially with the place 2 hours away. **** it. I'm not impressed, but I'm usually not.
Eric, any tips on how to avoid damaging the punch sensor? I’ll be installing my ladder soon (2019) and would love to prevent a $500 mistake...
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Just don't cut the metal, because it doesn't look like there is a sensor in there, but it's an pinch sensor (air pressure). After you install it, there will be a 4-5" gap that the pinch sensor won't work, so it could technically wont. Don't cut the blue area below
Thanks. Is the sensor on the upper portion of the hatch along the spoiler, or the lower portion along the tailgate? I can’t tell from the photo...
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Lower part.
Successful installation this morning. Took about an hour start to finish. Thanks to @Eric Sarjeant for the info on the pinch sensor.
Here’s a tip that may help, and is something you can remedy yourself. I was having trouble after yesterday’s installation with the tailgate intermittently not closing. Pushing against the pinch sensor when this happened seemed to fix the issue temporarily, but it would recur.
There are two set-screws/nuts that clamp the bottom bracket of the ladder to the underside of the lift gate. One of those set-screw nuts contacts the pinch sensor and pushes against it, making it stick out. Remove that nut and push the pinch sensor back against the screw.
Here’s a couple of pictures. On the left side of the bracket, you can see how the sensor (the rubber strip) protrudes outward due to the screw. It’s worse with the nut in place.
This “seems” to have resolved the issue. If your sensor isn’t completely trashed, this may do the trick for you as well.
I wish I had found this thread before I attempted to attach the Gobi ladder to my 2019. I misidentified the pitch sensor as hatch moulding- that became obvious when I cut a ~ 1.5" portion out in order to make the bottom ladder bracket fit. There is a wire in that "moulding". Duh.
FWIW, I could find now way to get the bottom bracket to fit without also using metal shears to cut and bend that metal bracket that retained the molding to the bottom of the hatch. And Gobi's illustration do not match a 2019, even though I had to specify my year of LC when I ordered the ladder.
Only tonight did I realize, after seeing this thread, that the automatic open/close feature no longer works for the hatch. But I actually hated that automatic feature.
I sent a note to Gobi after I tried to install the ladder, but got a reply several days later. The reply suggested they were unaware of any issues with fitment for a 2019.
Anyway, hope that info helps someone.
FWIW, I could find now way to get the bottom bracket to fit without also using metal shears to cut and bend that metal bracket that retained the molding to the bottom of the hatch. And Gobi's illustration do not match a 2019, even though I had to specify my year of LC when I ordered the ladder.
Only tonight did I realize, after seeing this thread, that the automatic open/close feature no longer works for the hatch. But I actually hated that automatic feature.
I sent a note to Gobi after I tried to install the ladder, but got a reply several days later. The reply suggested they were unaware of any issues with fitment for a 2019.
Anyway, hope that info helps someone.
@Eric Sarjeant do you know if it is possible to install the Gobi ladder on the passenger side?
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I don’t know, I would think anything is possible, with minor fabrication. Sorry
Glad I found this thread before installing my ladder today. Especially learning about the pinch sensor - averted potential damage and retained functionality of the auto lift gate feature. Ended up removing and leaving off the left screw that tightens down to the pinch plate. The mounting bracket slid behind the sensor with a little prying and force. With all of the other mounting points the ladder is solid and doesn't budge.
Spoke with Gobi today regarding this issue. They said they now make a pinch plate bracket that eliminates the pinch sensor clearance problem so I went ahead and ordered a ladder
Update: Received my ladder today. They sent me the regular non auto lift gate version despite my order specs which definitely isn't going to work. Looking at their online install instructions it appears the auto lift gate version comes with two separate "pinch plate" brackets vs. the original which is one piece. I am guess also the "lower ladder clamp" may be different (it appears the set screw tabs are staggered more) as well to clear the pinch sensor...? There may be more differences I'm not aware of but they should update me next week. I also noticed that lower right hand portion of the ladder floats further away from the tailgate than the left hand side...maybe the upper "ladder hanger plate" studs should be staggered more on the auto lift gate version to compensate. TBD.
Damn glad I read this forum & didn't try to make this version work destroying that pinch sensor in the process. It's interesting they don't mention anything about not damaging that pinch sensor strip in the install instructions...seems worth mentioning.
Auto Lift Gate install
Non powered lift gate install
Update: Received my ladder today. They sent me the regular non auto lift gate version despite my order specs which definitely isn't going to work. Looking at their online install instructions it appears the auto lift gate version comes with two separate "pinch plate" brackets vs. the original which is one piece. I am guess also the "lower ladder clamp" may be different (it appears the set screw tabs are staggered more) as well to clear the pinch sensor...? There may be more differences I'm not aware of but they should update me next week. I also noticed that lower right hand portion of the ladder floats further away from the tailgate than the left hand side...maybe the upper "ladder hanger plate" studs should be staggered more on the auto lift gate version to compensate. TBD.
Damn glad I read this forum & didn't try to make this version work destroying that pinch sensor in the process. It's interesting they don't mention anything about not damaging that pinch sensor strip in the install instructions...seems worth mentioning.
Auto Lift Gate install
Non powered lift gate install
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Finally spoke with Paul a tech at Gobi who confirmed they sent the wrong ladder. He was super helpful. The auto lift gate version includes two separate "pinch plate" pieces vs the older style that is one piece. He did not recommend just cutting the single piece to make the two pieces. Secondly he confirmed the lower ladder bracket is different with taller set screw tabs that clear the pinch sensor. TBD about the bottom of the ladder gap between the body...it may be fine once it's tightened down. He said it is possible the ladder warped a tiny amount during welding. Once possible solution would be to make hole on the top hanger bracket slighty bigger so the ladder can move a tiny bit.
Moral of the story is they make a ladder for the autolift gate but just make sure you double check the version they sent you before trying to install because the differences are very slight but important.
Moral of the story is they make a ladder for the autolift gate but just make sure you double check the version they sent you before trying to install because the differences are very slight but important.
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Installed the ladder today with the correct auto lift gate lower bracket and separate pinch plates and it went great. Bracket definitely clears the pinch sensor with the taller tabs, see below although it doesn't seem it will as its being installed. You can see in the photo below the two lower ladder bracket designs auto lift gate on the left and regular on the right. Also once bolted up & tightened down the gap of the lower ladder to the tailgate I was curious about went away albeit the roof top bracket slid just a tiny amount to compensate. As of now it doesn't have a clearance issue however I may enlarge the top of the ladder hole to compensate if it becomes a problem in the future. Nice unit.
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