1972-1976 Ford and Mercury - remote trunk release ideas needed

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remote trunk release ideas needed

Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=21838
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 9:20AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: remote trunk release ideas needed

Posted By: alreadyinuse
Subject: remote trunk release ideas needed
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 6:01AM

So the '72 Gran Torino Sport project car my son and I are working on came to use with a shaved trunk lock and the previous owner painted the car BUT they never installed any remote trunk release LOL

We removed the back seat and opened up the trunk, sadly no treasure in the trunk except for the knowledge that the previous owner didn't think this modification through all they way.

I removed the trunk release and can see they welded up the hole, so I'm thinking our options may be:

1) A replacement trunk lid and painting

2) Finding a remote trunk release that can bolt in. I think a mid to late cougar electric trunk release may work with little to no modification?

3) try to undue the previous owners work and maybe the original trunk echelon will cover up any blemishes

We are not able to bring this '72 GTS back to original condition (not in the budget) so we're okay with the shaved lock if that has to stay

Thoughts?

Replies:

Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 6:07AM

Try a Crown Vic trunk latch if they might work, there should be plenty of those in JY'ds. If you can find a latch that will adapt to your trunk, then the wiring shouldn't be hard. I would prefer the stock one though, and the cover piece is very large.

-------------
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W

Posted By: alreadyinuse
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 6:31AM

Thanks.

I was hoping the previous owner gooped a bunch of bondo in there LOL. It looks like a metal plug (circle) and probably bondo on top. I think I can drill a pilot hole from the rear and then slowly remove the bondo to get to the welded piece.

Does anyone has a measurement for the original trunk echelon so I can get an idea of the coverage area?

Thanks,

Joe

Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 8:20AM

my 74 had a trunk release in it but not hooked up... my car was green and someone painted it black
but the inside of the trunk lid was shiny black with the jack sticker still, so it leads me to believe the trunk lid was swapped, im guessing from a 75ish cougar (same lid but fancier car so it probably had an electric release?)
so find a latch unit and it will bolt in then run a wire!

-------------
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION

Posted By: alreadyinuse
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 8:54AM

I'll have to start searching for mid 70's cougar truck releases. Anyone know what other electric trunk releases would be an easy swap on the '72 Torino?

Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 10:54AM

If you want to keep it really simple use a cable , like a choke cable

with the black knob on it . Mount it behind the license plate by the fuel filler . Put a return spring on the trunk latch mechanism so when you pull the cable it pops the trunk and then closes the latch . I have it rigged exactly like that on one one my old Buicks , works perfect and cost about 25$ to rig up . Just an idea , there are many .

Posted By: alreadyinuse
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 12:20PM

I've done something similar before, but sadly the release is on the trunk lid, so a cable would have to run up hinges along the lid to the latch.

Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 3:05PM

Yes that would pose a different challenge!

Posted By: Sak7788
Date Posted: 15-October-2025 at 5:33PM

Run it inside towards the back seat

Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 16-October-2025 at 4:28AM

Though it’s not a Ford part

, some mid 60’s GM cars had vacuum trunk releases too .

A flexible vacuum line run back that way may be an alternative option. Just throwing it out there ! Best of luck with the project!