Customizable midway breaker for Ford Ecosport swinging tailgate

thingiverse

Many versions of the Ford Ecosport, since 2013, feature a swinging tailgate that opens fully once activated. However, this full opening requires space behind the vehicle, which can be a challenge for owners in tight parking spaces when accessing the boot. This mid-point breaker helps to stop the tailgate from fully opening by providing a midway point where it can remain half open, as shown in the accompanying photograph. The owner can still open the tailgate fully by pushing it further, and the angle at which the tailgate experiences high friction at this midpoint can be customized using the MidAngle parameter. The breaker consists of three parts, which are assembled to the boot door hinge using two pairs of nuts and bolts, as illustrated in the photographs. The nuts and bolts themselves must be sourced separately, as they are not printed with the breaker. The nuts have a hexagonal perimeter, and their size can be customized using the BoltRadius, BoltCapRadius, and NutMaxRadius parameters. Default models for the bolt and nut sizes are provided, with a radius of 2mm for the bolt, 3.5mm for the bolt cap, and 3.95mm for the nut's hexagonal maximal radius. The user can also download these default models if needed. After printing, the nuts should be embedded in part three. To test the fit and tightness of the parts, try assembling them together and screwing the bolts through. If everything appears to be working correctly, disassemble them and proceed with the installation. To ensure a strong and durable attachment, it is recommended to print the parts using ABS material with 100% infill. This will enable the breaker to withstand high temperatures under direct sunlight and strong forces at the hinge. The total printing time should be approximately four hours, depending on the printer's settings and speed. Some users have suggested merging part one and part two into a single unit, which would not affect assembly but may require supports or modifications during printing. However, this could compromise the breaker's mechanical robustness.