hatch swap questions 06 into 01

[David.X5]

I have some rust under the body sealant on the bottom edge of my hatch. I found a nice looking replacement from a guy parting out a 2006. I was going to swap the hatch out and wanted to ask if anyone has done this before. (His "like new" seats were pretty worn, so didn't buy them and won't get to try my heated seat swap).

I compared part numbers and the only part that seems different so far is the trunk lock mechanism (I recall the later E53's have a power soft locking mechanism - will that work on my car? it would be nice...). The wiring harness is the same, so the pins should be the same...but haven't tested that theory though.

Other than that, several filter/amplifier looking things mounted under the trim. On realoem, the part numbers are the same - does anyone know if those are coded to the car or to the key? If not, I will use the newer ones.

Thanks!

[Qsilver7]

Hmm, I'm not sure if the hatch is swappable...just as you say...the soft close feature (SCA) may create some electronic issues since the GM III is expecting specific data from the Hall sensors...and if I'm not mistaken...the relay layout is different in the facelift models to accommodate the SCA feature.

See the info below to see if it something you may be able to work around as far as the electrical wiring bits:

[David.X5]

Thanks. That is really helpful. I will pull the lock mechanism out of the 2001 hatch to see if it fits into the 2006 before I proceed. The part numbers for the hatch body panel for both years are the same, so I'm expecting the mounting holes to line up. Will post an update...

It would be sweet to have the soft close, but I'm not going to start switching out all those relays, sensors, and the body module.

[Qsilver7]

Good luck...I truly hope that the swap of the hatch itself is doable even if the SCA feature doesn't work...at least that would open up multiple opportunities for finding a replacement hatch.

An example of relay differences...the SCA K112 relay is the purple one on the far right in the diagram below for the face-lift models.

On the pre-facelift models...the relay location on the far right is for the rear electric seat adjustment:

FACE LIFT "REAR" RELAY LAYOUT

PRE-FACELIFT "REAR" RELAY LAYOUT