The non powered lift-gates use 2 compressible struts on either side of the lift gate. I believe the powered lift gate has 1 strut on the passenger side, right?

The screw holes will be there for the power side of the gate, and you should be able to unbolt the power arm from the gate and replace it for the compressible strut. The same for the passenger side if it doesn't have the strut.

 

I believe the powered lift gate has 1 strut on the passenger side, right?

Don't know about the 2005, but our 2002 (with power liftgate) has TWO gas-assist struts. Only one strut would twist the tailgate (or worse, the body structure) over time.

(Our Gen1 '84 Caravan had the bodywork where the struts were attached crack away from stress! Needed to be welded and repaired.)

 

.

 

No I have 2 struts

 

the motor on the liftgate is gone.

I really do not need a POWER liftgate can I change this to manual with not much cost and do it myself?

Welcome aboard,
FWIW, there's no power lift motor on the gate (it's mounted on the upper LH quarter panel of the van).
The power gate should operate just like manual gate when you use your muscles.

If you're having problem with the gate opening or closing the latch, those are different motors. The release 'button' pads are also known to cause problems (due to resistor contact sending them out of MUX).

If you plan on taking a manual gate from a donor and putting it on your van, you need to make sure BCM (body control module) will work with the manual latch - you may need to modify wiring - if BCM doesn't recognize latch open/closed "state" it will bug you about open gate, turn on gate light and chime...

 

i recently purchased a 2005 town and country.amoung the many issues I am having the motor on the liftgate is gone.
I really do not need a POWER liftgate can I change this to manual with not much cost and do it myself?
PLEASE HELP

Welcome.\
So what is the situation? Can you not open the lift gate?
Even with the powered lift gate models, you should still be able to open/close the lift gate manually. Is that not the case for you?
No need to even disconnect, just use as normal.

The powered lift gate has safety features so it will sense a small person stuck in the closing lift gate or if you accidentally tried to open it when parked against the wall. It will sense the additional 'strain' on the motor and cease operation. Usually with a "bong bong bong'' alert. MY POINT BEING, if the gas charged weight assist struts are weak or completely flat, then the lift motor may just stop when it strains.
Replacing the lift struts will probably make it easy to handle manually AND may even get the powered lift working again as a side bonus.

I think I got mine on Amazon or eBay for $20ish each.

Welcome.
Please let us know what you find, what you learn, and how you fix your mini...

 

Welcome.\
So what is the situation? Can you not open the lift gate?
Even with the powered lift gate models, you should still be able to open/close the lift gate manually. Is that not the case for you?
No need to even disconnect, just use as normal.

The powered lift gate has safety features so it will sense a small person stuck in the closing lift gate or if you accidentally tried to open it when parked against the wall. It will sense the additional 'strain' on the motor and cease operation. Usually with a "bong bong bong'' alert. MY POINT BEING, if the gas charged weight assist struts are weak or completely flat, then the lift motor may just stop when it strains.
Replacing the lift struts will probably make it easy to handle manually AND may even get the powered lift working again as a side bonus.

I think I got mine on Amazon or eBay for $20ish each.

Welcome.
Please let us know what you find, what you learn, and how you fix your mini...

still working on it but I will update it is such a heavy door , I was worried about the gas lifts were strong enough to hold it up

 

If you feel that the tailgate is 'heavy', then you should replace the lift struts, for sure. Seems as if most have needed replacement by now. (We replaced ours a few years ago)

Ours still lifts fairly easily after that first 'tug'. (We DO have a power tailgate, but I'm an old goober who lives beneath a rock, and I usually open the tailgate and sliding doors myself.)

 

So, replace the lift struts, already... 😇

UNLESS you prefer to use an old broomstick handle cut to the proper length to open the 'gate...with a tennis ball stuck on each end.