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

[DTundra578]

ok, seems pretty straightforward, did you splice the lock/unlock wires so you could hook them up to the tr-7, it just seems like there are a lot of wires going into that module. Is the relay connected to the tr-7 or the truck wiring?

What are the other two wires you have running to the tailgate (I already have the auto unlock guys going back there)? You said they are for the auto open motors, are they separate from the auto unlock ones because they come from the tr-7 module?

If you dont have time for all my questions now just let me know, otherwise i'll just keep throwing them at you! Thanks for the quick responses also.

[WT]

Here I tossed together a diagram real quick tonight, hope I didn't miss anything I did it from memory. Not sure if I will do a full write up since I am not sure how many people would like to see it anyway. This little project is more or less a thing you want or don't care for.
I will see if there is more demand in this thread and I may write more words with to go along with the document.
I hope this answers all your questions, oh there are a few extra wires not used on the relay and the TR-7 module. I had alot of the parts laying around the house so for me it was easier.

** UPDATE ** 11/28
Image removed do to typo and an updated PDF is avaliable see post #1 for link to get the file.

[wileetundra]

Pretty nice work. Thanks for the pics and other info. I might pursue this but I am still not sure. With the BAKFlip on and possibly a tailgate seal to come soon then I am not sure it would open as smoothly as yours does with the BAKFlip open. Maybe if you can show it fully assembled and completed, with the BAKFlip closed, and the truck on a level surface or even slightly tilting to the front. I am not giving you a hard time - it's just that most parking lots are not level where I live and this mod would be useless if it didn't work on slight inclines with my BAKFlip fully closed.

[WT]

Originally Posted by wileetundra

Pretty nice work. Thanks for the pics and other info. I might pursue this but I am still not sure. With the BAKFlip on and possibly a tailgate seal to come soon then I am not sure it would open as smoothly as yours does with the BAKFlip open. Maybe if you can show it fully assembled and completed, with the BAKFlip closed, and the truck on a level surface or even slightly tilting to the front. I am not giving you a hard time - it's just that most parking lots are not level where I live and this mod would be useless if it didn't work on slight inclines with my BAKFlip fully closed.

I ran a few test as it was getting darker tonight actually with the Bakflip down it failed due to what you mentioned ealier about the seal rubbing but I had ordered up some spring loaded poppers (50lbs) I had to modify that since the 50lbs was way to much tension could hardly close the trunk but after that it worked great. I will get another video tomorrow for you with more of a incline but don't think you would have any problems and could even do it with 25lbs poppers.

[cwit]

You got us started on this, Your wire diagram is great, really would like parts list and part # for all parts and poppers. From what I see If we have the auto lock already we only nead two more wires, right or wrong. You may be sorry you posted this mod. Keep us informed so I can collect parts.

[cdoss]

I WANT A WRITE UP. I would like to see a step by step write up with part #s so i can do this to my truck. Sounds easy but I like directions before I go screwing with my new truck. VERY COOL!!

[cwit]

I need location of poppers, and where you spliced wires what door sill,pass front I hope.

[WT]

Originally Posted by cwit

You got us started on this, Your wire diagram is great, really would like parts list and part # for all parts and poppers. From what I see If we have the auto lock already we only nead two more wires, right or wrong. You may be sorry you posted this mod. Keep us informed so I can collect parts.

Yes you are correct on the 2 more wires to the tailgate that are used for the remote open actuators. Parts are pretty much what you see in the diagram less some crimp on connectors or solder and heatshrink depending how you plan to terminate the ends. I went simple crimp connectors since its easier to replace or troubleshoot issues.
I collected most my parts that I didn''t have from ebay on deals, like the 2 pistol type actuators for the remote open, I got them for like $10.00 shipped and the lock actuator was the more expensive one but I found a deal on 2 at once there too and pick them up for like $25.00 shipped. The only other thing I didn't already have was the popper since I have the Bakflip needed the extra push to get the tailgate started to swing down, I got 2 for like $15.00 or so shipped. The only other major parts were the TR-7 unit and the bosch type relay which also can be gotten from ebay or any other osurces just look for the best deals. I happen to have these parts already from other projects I have worked on so I have a few spare parts.

I will eventualy try and get together a official type how to just not sure how detail I will get since, I am by no means a techincal writter. I think a pictures worth 1000 words myself. I think so far I have given out all the information in posts or in pictures herre already heheh. Just need it consolidated in one place I guess to make it a littel easier. I think it probably took me longer to run and wire tie up the wires under the truck than anything else hate being on my back... Oh I also had some of that laying around so I just used what I had (multi conductor wire in single jacket) which did make it easier to run all the wires in one cable.

By all means if there any other questions before I actualy get around to a write up of some kind, I can answer for you just post them up and I will do my best.

[WT]

Originally Posted by cwit

I need location of poppers, and where you spliced wires what door sill,pass front I hope.

Ahh posted before I got done with last one I did.. here a few pictures of the popper installed, all you need is one I just pulled the rubber bumper from the right side and drilled it out a little larger and put the popper in after I modified it some to lessen the push on the tailgate. As for where I spliced all my wires, yes front passenger door sill. The plastics just pull up easily. I would suggest you find popper with the less amount of force, I figured I would do a trial an error on mine since someone got to try it first, so 50lbs is way to much maybe half that if you can find them if not guess you can always modify it like I did mine.



Popper installed....

[cwit]

Like your popper set up. Looks good, works for me. On to e-bay my favorate store. Keep us posted.

[cdoss]

Ok I have ordered everything I need 3 actuators and a prt7 module. But what is the 12V relay for, do I really need it? I can follow directions like on the diagram but my knowledge of electronics theory is poor.

[WT]

Originally Posted by cdoss

Ok I have ordered everything I need 3 actuators and a prt7 module. But what is the 12V relay for, do I really need it? I can follow directions like on the diagram but my knowledge of electronics theory is poor.

Just remember the 2 types of actuators 2 are pistal type and usually 1/2" or 3/4" throws that are used for the suto open and then there the one for used for the lock and unlock that one needs a 1" throw check my first post on the part number to search for. Yes I would recomend the relay since the TR-7 output is max of 2amps and no since in taken a chance in cooking it early. The relay is used to allow for more current draw than what you have avaliable from a given output thus eliminating issues with overloading said device (like fog light you use a relay to not overload switches).

Okay grabed another video with the Bakflip down and the truck parked on a downward incline, this ones for you wileetundra. I took a picture as reference to how much its sloping downward, I have to say if you are on a big incline say 35deg or more you may have problems with the tailgate going down but it will pop it open even do it wont lower since the popper will push it far enough out that the latches unlock. sorry didn't find a great spot but in a empty parking lot area close to the house.

Picture to show incline.....


The video.....


Oh if anyone follows the digram be sure to post back so I know I didn't make any mistakes on it.

[dbbltunman]

That is soooo cool! The things we'll do to get away from the hag-I mean wife! Ooops sorry honey.

[cdoss]

I bought 1 524N actuator for the lock and found a pair of pistol actuator on ebay for the latches. Will any 12v relay work? I found one for $5 at a local autoparts store.

[WT]

Originally Posted by cdoss

I bought 1 524N actuator for the lock and found a pair of pistol actuator on ebay for the latches. Will any 12v relay work? I found one for $5 at a local autoparts store.

Yes pretty much any relay from auto store should work it probbaly rated at 20 or 30 amps which is way more than what is required so you will be fine. Oh I also added a fused holder in line with the power wire I spiced to as a safety thing but you can get away with out it since that wire already fused, I just never followed it to see what fuse it is doh.
Sounds like you will have all your parts soon enough to finish this little project yourself.