DIY: Automatic Tailgate and Unlock/Lock Projects with Pics..

[WT]

If your going aftermarket system just have them wire up the output from say the trunk release output to the relay and you can omit the TR7 unit all together. Then when you hit the trunk open it pop the tailgate granted its unlocked already. Just wire the lock and unlock as shown and the tailgate will lock and unlock as you unlock from your remote start fob. As for the function of the single unlock and second click to open all is a feature you will want to tell your installer you want to keep or he will more than likely program the remote system to send a double pulse to unlock the doros then all the doors and tailgate open at once. Now this is also alarm specific so not all have a feature sunctions to allow this type of programing I know most of the newer systems they can do it most installers just chose to go the defualt route. Hope that answers some of the questions.

[wellsjj]

Yes that answered all those questions THANKS.
One last thing for now. LOL If I do the power open on the tail gate with the new remote start FOB do I need to do the lock and unlock part of the install? What I am wondering is if the tail gate is locked with just key (keep locked all the time) If I install the two open actuators and run them off the new key FOB as the trunk button. Will the tail gate open? Wondering if you locked the tail gate and pulled the two rods connecting to the latches will it open? or do I still need the unlock actuator hooked up?
Thanks again for keeping this alive so us new-beys can do these mods...

[WT]

Yes that answered all those questions THANKS.
One last thing for now. LOL If I do the power open on the tail gate with the new remote start FOB do I need to do the lock and unlock part of the install? What I am wondering is if the tail gate is locked with just key (keep locked all the time) If I install the two open actuators and run them off the new key FOB as the trunk button. Will the tail gate open? Wondering if you locked the tail gate and pulled the two rods connecting to the latches will it open? or do I still need the unlock actuator hooked up?
Thanks again for keeping this alive so us new-beys can do these mods...

You will still need to either have the tailgate unlocked by the key or add the actuator to unlock and lock it with your doors or auto open actuators will not be able to open the tailgate. Now since your planning a aftermarkey system they can always program 2 other outputs to unlock and lock just the tailgate first but I think it be easiest to just have a 3rd actuator unlock and lock the tailgate with the doors.
And as always any more questions pop up just ask, I am sure someone will help answer them.

[runfast]

HELP!! So I did this project and could not find the 12V wire in the wire cluster, so I moved about a foot closer to the front of the truck and opened the mother load of wires (in the passenger kick pannel). I found and tapped into 12V constant wire, lock, and unlock wires as well. After soldering in wire leads for the TR7 and relay, all of the lights that are activated due to the doors being open (dome and cargo lights) began to flash... not sure what I did. I did have the battery hooked up (I know you are always supposed to disconnect the battery, but I forgot to). I think due to the heat of the solder gun and the 12V being hooked up something dealing with key fob and door sensors is not working anymore. Any ideas?

[WT]

My first suggestion if verify your wiring and maybe even disconnect things (power lead and leads to lock and unlock wires) temporary see if things go back to normal then you know you messed up or tapped the wrong wires. If the problems still there get to checking all your fuses sounds like maybe you blew something if things are not working normal again. Then last step if you find bad fuse pull out the meter be sure you know which wire are which before you start to tap into them, these new fangled trucks are very sensitive to just wiring things up incorrectly. They tend to cause the CPU in the them to go nuts or do weird things. Hopefully you didn't didn't do any permanent damage. Report back let us know were you are or what you found out so far.

Good Luck....

[runfast]

Ok, this is what I know so far... I disconnected all the new wires and the 12V wire still has 12V. Lock and unlock does not work at all in the truck. Key fob does not work, head lights don't come on. Parking lights do work. When I turned the truck on my left fog light was on even though all lights were off. Once I flipped the light switch on and off, it turned off and is normal. I disconnected the battery for about a day to see if the comp would reset. No luck with that. I gave checked all the fuses by the parking break as well as all of the fuses in the fuse box by the battery and none of them were blown. That is what I know so far...

[runfast]

[WT]

I thinking it still a blown fuse some were, even though it looks good its still blown. I would double check them with a meter to verfy there good, especialy the larger AMP ones since so many things are out of whack like the acc one things thats one of the more square fuses that was pink from memory its been a long time since I had to look at the fuse panel itself. Do the power locks work with the door switch or windows go up or down ? My guess is no since the fuse supply all this accessory power blown some were.
Also thoose square fuses are hard to find at soem automotive stores when I was looking when I accidently blew one years ago. It maybe easier to find now but back in the day it was a paint to locate without going to the dealer but I ended up finding them at a local automotive store.

Good Luck !! electrical issues are soem of the worst to troubleshoot.

[My2ndTundra]

WT, hey I'm going to try and do the taigate MOD on a 2007 Tundra Double cab that i just got. I have not been able to see your tutorial or diagram yet but i was viewing on my iphone. Ill try with my computer. I like the idea, my only issue is that i have a fiberglass locking tonneau cover which goes over the tailgate. I plan to use the 3rd click to release the tonneau cover, and 4th click to release the tailgate. I will need to use the spring loaded bumpers to accomplish this. i need to know if the tr-7 module only sends one signal or if i can program it to send a signal to one line after 3 pulses and then a signal to another line after 4 pulses. or do i need 2 tr-7 modules. Thanks for your help. BTW did anyone ever clairify the appropriate wires in the 2007 Double Cab?

Thanks -Tim

I thought I'd post my update here. I have a tonneau cover snug lid brand it has only a key to release the latch so I wanted to be able to release that in addition to the tailgate. Also since the tonneau covers the tailgate it is necessary to lift it first. One issue I had is that the tonneau cover only pops open when released not high enough to clear the tailgate. I thought that door poppers would solve this but they only lift a few inches at best. I came up with adding a springs to the gas lifters. Turned out better than i hoped. So I ended up with 2 tr7 units and 2 relays 5 actuators and lots of wire and even more time. I have an 07 double cab. The only constant 12+ that could be found was a very tiny 20ga wire. I decided to tap into the 12+ that was run for the tonneau light. I used 4 conductor stranded wire 18ga. Since I only needed 2 wires for the tonneau actuators I used one for my constant 12+ tapping into the existing one as mentioned. I added a disconnect plug for the tailgate and Plan to add one for the tonneau cover if I ever want to remove it.
Another issue is that the 524 n or is it 542n whichever actuator is posted by WT in the DIY. The one I got only had about 5/8 throw at best. I ended up drilling a small hole into the plastic lock arm and bending the push rod so that the actuator cOuld pusd from about 1" over. So far seems to work good. I'll let you know after a week. My total bill was $120.00 plus misc connectors solder shrink tube, and 16 for a decent multi tester at O'riley auto parts.
I'm stoked to have these mods. Now I don't have to remove the keys to open the "trunk"
One question I have is that my tailgate dampner seems a little weak. Are those known to go bad?
I'll try to get some photos up if I can.

[My2ndTundra]

Heres the video of it opening.

Tundra tailgate mod with tonneau - YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_s8eQb27OI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[VBGeek2000]

Hi all,

I'm new to electrical, so forgive me if this is totally obvious.

1. Is there an existing ground wire in the cable bundle or do I need to run one from the fuse box?

2. I was looking at the Circuit diagram and I was wondering where the 85 wire goes. Is that to the -12V ground wire?

3. What's a good but not too expensive meter? I want to verify I have the correct wires and figured I'd save a lot of trouble with a good meter.

I think I understand everything else, but I want to make sure I have good ground before I start.

Thanks!

[WT]

Heres the video of it opening.

Tundra tailgate mod with tonneau - YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_s8eQb27OI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Good work, glad to see you got things working and nice to see it working with the tonneua cover.

Hi all,

I'm new to electrical, so forgive me if this is totally obvious.

1. Is there an existing ground wire in the cable bundle or do I need to run one from the fuse box?

2. I was looking at the Circuit diagram and I was wondering where the 85 wire goes. Is that to the -12V ground wire?

3. What's a good but not too expensive meter? I want to verify I have the correct wires and figured I'd save a lot of trouble with a good meter.

I think I understand everything else, but I want to make sure I have good ground before I start.

Thanks!

Yes any were you see a ground label you can either just ground to the truck on a good bolt or a negative wire if you want to find one of them too. As for a meter you can find anything from 10 bucks to 1000 bucks but I say spend what you think you will need to do the job and any other jobs in the future. You get one from Lowes, Home Depot or your local electronic store usually.

[VBGeek2000]

Thanks WT. I appreciate your help with this after all these years. I'm looking forward to getting all this done in the next few days.

Thanks again for your help!

[VBGeek2000]

Hi all.

I was at Lowes today and saw this bracket in the lumber/decking area. It is a really good fit for the actuator in the tailgate. I installed it tonight and it is working out really well.

Just in case someone else needs the bracket...
Shop Simpson Strong-Tie Deck Joist Tie at Lowes.com

[Phreak]

Thanks to WT for the excellent write up! I was able to pick up all the parts at a local car audio shop for the same price I was going to get them online and now I'm just waiting for the weekend to get it done.