DIY: Automatic Tailgate and Unlock/Lock Projects with Pics.. - Page 3 - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

WT · #31 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbbltunman

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

LOL well the project started out to add just the tailgate lock unlock cause I hate having to use the key for that and decided to add one more feature, since I had parts for most of the project already.
Oh forgot to mention added benefit if you use the inteior unlock button on the door 4 times it will pop the tailgate too so you can do that if your in the truck and want to open the tailgate before you get back there to load something in or get someone else to load it for you. So this acts as a interior switch kinda.

wileetundra · #32 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 08:52 PM

Great work WT! Thanks for the test and video with the BAKFlip closed and parked on an incline. That is exactly the kind of position I was talking about so now I know it is safe to add this to my project list.

WT · #33 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wileetundra

Great work WT! Thanks for the test and video with the BAKFlip closed and parked on an incline. That is exactly the kind of position I was talking about so now I know it is safe to add this to my project list.

Thanks, glad to help out when I can.
I also got to give you your props for the pulse generator (DVD defeater). I actually have all my parts sitting on the table and just need to put it together one of these weekends. I may even add reverse camera video hook up while I have it apart and I also look forward to it when you figure out how to add a second video source. Now move that project up on your priority list.

Or PM me some details of what your thinking maybe I can figure it out sooner....

WT · #34 (**permalink**) 11-20-2007, 09:58 PM

Okay would someone be so kind to proof read my little DIY and let me know what you think. I think I got most the major steps in there now but I am sure it could always use some fine tuning still. Like I said I am not much of a techincal writer so keep that in mind too.

DOH file to large to post up here so if you want to help me out PM me with your email addy and I send it over for a look see or if you just want a copy of the PDF you can post up here too....

WT · #35 (**permalink**) 11-21-2007, 09:25 PM

Hey if any one working on this over the weekend one of the proof readers noticed I made a mistake on the relay pin # it should be on the N/O pin 87 not 87A I showed in the diagram. I just wanted to give anyone workign on this a quick update. I also experianced a small problem today when I got home that the lock unlock actuator fell off the nub and jammed my key from working. Easy fix since I just bypass my Bakflip, I wont say how

Then I just opened the access panel and was able to open it fine by hand. So to fix this permantly I decided to drill a hole in the nub and out a screw with a washer in it to hold the actuator arm in place now.
I will have all these corrections and more in the documentation (Write up) done for those interested. I just wanted to give a quick update since I am not home right now and now some of you may be trying this over the long weekend.

wileetundra · #36 (**permalink**) 11-21-2007, 10:51 PM

WT - I was thinking about this and it seems that your design would also cause the tailgate actuators to fire if the LOCK button was pressed 4 times in a row. I assume that the tailgate still wouldn't pop open since the locking actuator would keep the lock engaged for each press of the LOCK button, however it seems that it would at least stress the opening actuators as noted above and could possibly cause the tailgate to open if the locking actuator failed or came loose. I doubt this would happen but it is possible that a passenger could do it while the vehicle is in motion, especially for people with kids onboard, so it is something to think about. Given how easy it is for the tailgate to fall off while driving with it in the down position, and how an unexpected tailgate opening could lead to lost cargo or an accident then I wouldn't want to chance it. Maybe you could add a relay to disable the openers when the ignition is on?

Also, what is the time window allowed by the PRT module for entering the desired number of UNLOCK signals? Ideally this would be programmable so it could be shortened thus further lessening the chance of an inadvertent opening.

WT · #37 (**permalink**) 11-21-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wileetundra

WT - I was thinking about this and it seems that your design would also cause the tailgate actuators to fire if the LOCK button was pressed 4 times in a row. I assume that the tailgate still wouldn't pop open since the locking actuator would keep the lock engaged for each press of the LOCK button, however it seems that it would at least stress the opening actuators as noted above and could possibly cause the tailgate to open if the locking actuator failed or came loose. I doubt this would happen but it is possible that a passenger could do it while the vehicle is in motion, especially for people with kids onboard, so it is something to think about. Given how easy it is for the tailgate to fall off while driving with it in the down position, and how an unexpected tailgate opening could lead to lost cargo or an accident then I wouldn't want to chance it. Maybe you could add a relay to disable the openers when the ignition is on?

Also, what is the time window allowed by the PRT module for entering the desired number of UNLOCK signals? Ideally this would be programmable so it could be shortened thus further lessening the chance of an inadvertent opening.

Wow all very well thought out items.... but all valid points too...
let me see if I can ease you mind some on this.
First for the use of the lock button to fire the tailgate auto actuators this can't happen since the TR-7 unit is just looking at the positive trigger of the unlock signal to be pulsed 3 times but on our trucks the stock setup is 4 since the first only trigger the front drivers door and were tapping the signal from the rear doors which is all doors open signal wire. This would require 3 more unlock pulses before the tialgate pops open. (remember second unlock will unlock all doors and tailgate)
For the tailgate to pop the auto open actuators to the tailgate needs to be unlock first (this has already been fired at 2 unlock presses of the remote).
After the second time you press the unlock button (third time) would do nothing this is more or less my opps did I unlock all the doors let me hit unlock again (kinda safety to prevent the tailgate from opening now), On the fourth unlock press is when the tailgate auto open actuators trigger.

Something to take into consideration is Toyota actualy has a built in time window to open all doors or you will have to start the unlock presses again, which is factory set for 3 seconds. So this would mean you have to perform the unlock 4 times in a row within that 3 seconds window for the tailgate to auto open. Also the TR-7 unit has to see the pulses with in the 5 second window to consider the pulses as valid counts.

I personal feel to accidently open the tailgate would take a bit of work but if someone was to be worried they could just add another relay in front of the +12V power source so it would turn off the TR-7 unit or everything if you like or just in front of the leg leadign to the auto open actuators very easily.

Hope all of this makes some sense to someone since some times I think, I could confuse myself.

cdoss · #38 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 01:45 PM

Well I got all my parts and started the project today with great difficulty. First I only have 1 blue wire and it is not hot all the time so I had to find an alternate power source no big deal, then I couldn't get the fancy programable module to program. So I gave up in th ecab and went to the back. Instaled everything here then closed the tail gate to make sure everything works and the gate won't latch. After a little mod work it now closes and lathes. So all the hook ups are made in the rea I just need to get the front to work. No more time today I'm headed to Arrowhead to watch the big game. Hopefully the Tigers do better tonight than I did today.

reldapimp · #39 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 02:30 PM

you are the man

cdoss · #40 (**permalink**) 11-25-2007, 03:47 PM

Ok I got the module programmed and it works but the tail gate does not open every time. I adjusted the metal rods that attach to the gate release but still no luck. i think this is my issue I guess I need to just keep playing with them until they work. Any recommendations?

WT · #41 (**permalink**) 11-25-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdoss

Ok I got the module programmed and it works but the tail gate does not open every time. I adjusted the metal rods that attach to the gate release but still no luck. i think this is my issue I guess I need to just keep playing with them until they work. Any recommendations?

Ahh sorry took me so long to get back to you but had limited access to the interent for a few days here. Glad to see you got the module setup and working now. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head would be to make sure the unlock is fully openng the tailgate lock (make sure you can pull the handle and it open smoothly) if not adjust that first. Next is to adjust the actuators that open the tailgate. First did you mount them like I did which makes it a push of teh actuators, if so be sure to push the actuators all the way in while you still have the connector adapter loose so the rod slide all the way before tightening that set screw. This will allow and make sure the actuators are getting full range of motion when pushing the lock releases on each side. Hopefully that help or do you mean the modules not triggering each time you try to use it to open the tailgate ? if its that it could be another issue all together. Let us know how things work out.

Hopefully I will have the write up completed and tweeked up more and can offer to send to the guys that like to get a copy of it in teh next few days.

cdoss · #42 (**permalink**) 11-25-2007, 08:45 PM

I left the access panel off while testing it and the issue is the actuators aren' pushing far enough to release the latch. It works some times other times it doesn't. I did try pushing the actuator all the way in and resetting everything but still no luck. I think I may try putting the actuator with the 1" throw in there and give it a shot. But the actuaotrs do fire they just don't seem to have enought power to push it.

WT · #43 (**permalink**) 11-25-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdoss

I left the access panel off while testing it and the issue is the actuators aren' pushing far enough to release the latch. It works some times other times it doesn't. I did try pushing the actuator all the way in and resetting everything but still no luck. I think I may try putting the actuator with the 1" throw in there and give it a shot. But the actuaotrs do fire they just don't seem to have enought power to push it.

Maybe the actuators you got are not as strong as the ones I am using and that could be the difference, as for trying the 1" throw I am sure they definatly have more push and power so that should solve the issue if the actuators are just not strong enough to push open the locking mechanism.