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

[WT]

Originally Posted by one_fast_1000

Okay, Im done!!!!! Everything works great, Now that i have hooked it up and understand the relay, i understand how my questions were confusing. Since i changed my truck to all unlock on 1 press i programed the tr7 to open on the third pulse within one second. The reason i did this is because if i hit lock three times the tailgate opens also. Do you have any knowledge as to wy this may be. the only thing that is hooked to the unlock(gray) wire is the locking actuator. But if i press lock 3 times or unlock 3 times it will open. Its not that big of an issue but it does have me wondering. if you hit lock/unlock on the door panel three times it opens too. I thought that was kind of cool. But do you know if there is a way to only make it open on unlock presses. ........You have been so helpful and i am really grateful. Next weekend is hooking remote start up to the panic button. Hope that works out well

Well first glad its all working, at first it makes no sense for the tailgate to pop on lock function too but I just had to go try it myself tonight and your right it does I never tried that till tonight. My guess is that the TR-7 some how is seeing the reverse voltage on the unlock wire when your locking it too but you may be able to stop that issue with a diode inline with the trigger wire to the TR-7 unit. Like you said doh, probably wont be a issue.
Yeah keep us updated on ur remote start idea sounds kinda interesting.

[reelmagic]

Use the 524N's for everything, I purchased some cheaper units for the open mechanism and they didnt have enough power to open everytime. The 524's have more travel than you need but can be adjusted for 3/4" and they have plenty of power.

[VOLTundra]

I'll be adding the unlock feature to my list of to-dos!!!! Great job

[WT]

Well I wanted to just give eveyone that has done this or thinking about it a quick update since I was at home depot today and it was nice to pop the tailgate open when walking up to the truck to load stuff in the back.
Its been several months now that mine has been on and I got to say its a neat feature to add even if you decide to just do the tailgate power lock and unlock feature with out the auto open functions its nice to have the tailgate lock and unlock with the rest of the truck doors. I had no problems since doing this mod other than once the unlock actuator popped off, so I corrected that issue by drilling a small hole and putting a screw in to tab and that keeped it from popping loose again. Also since looking back on this project probably just as easy to use all one type of actuators (524N's) to make it simple and have the same parts for spares and what not if you get more that just what you need, Also suggest getting a spring loaded popper to help push the tailgate open.

So there you have a update after a few months of real world testing...

[Ray Kane]

Just read the entire post and I am hooked!
Only one problem. I have a 2003 Tundra which does not have the slow open/lift assisted tailgate. I already have the aftermarket electric tailgate lock/unlock and I will not have trouble with installing the actuators.

What I need is an aftermarket setup to make the tailgate open like the new version Tundras. I know of one setup that requires drilling holes for a tension spring which goes underneath the tailgate. I prefer a different setup.

Any ideas? Can the new tailgate lifts be fitted to a 1-gen Tundra?

[WT]

Originally Posted by Ray Kane

Just read the entire post and I am hooked!
Only one problem. I have a 2003 Tundra which does not have the slow open/lift assisted tailgate. I already have the aftermarket electric tailgate lock/unlock and I will not have trouble with installing the actuators.

What I need is an aftermarket setup to make the tailgate open like the new version Tundras. I know of one setup that requires drilling holes for a tension spring which goes underneath the tailgate. I prefer a different setup.

Any ideas? Can the new tailgate lifts be fitted to a 1-gen Tundra?

LOL you have read more than most already
As for a tailgate assist check out EZDown think thats the name of it, I seen it for other trucks not sure if its avalaible for yours but maybe worth a look see. Its a simple setup and easy install from what I recall too. Oh doesn't help closing the tailgate but has a reasonable cost.

[Ray Kane]

Originally Posted by WT

LOL you have read more than most already
As for a tailgate assist check out EZDown

Did a search for EZDOWN - it doesn't look like there is one for my truck.

[Ray Kane]

Well unless anyone has some ideas I am sunk on this project. Other than the torsion bar lift assist I can't find a tailgate lift assist.

Also, if you want to try a stronger solenoid to pop the latches of the tailgate do a search for trunk pop solenoids. They are heavy duty pullers but may be too big

[rwblank]

HELP!

So I started this mod, I opened the panel on the floor in the middle of jam of the back door (I have a '08 DC) and this is what I see... 3 white, 2 black, 2 blue, 2 red, 1 grey, 1 green before I bust out the multimeter and start hacking on wires, I wanted to see if anybody knew which wires to tap into for the actuator.

Thanks in advance!

[WT]

Originally Posted by rwblank

HELP!

So I started this mod, I opened the panel on the floor in the middle of jam of the back door (I have a '08 DC) and this is what I see... 3 white, 2 black, 2 blue, 2 red, 1 grey, 1 green before I bust out the multimeter and start hacking on wires, I wanted to see if anybody knew which wires to tap into for the actuator.

Thanks in advance!

I know on my crewmax it was the gray and blue, just make sure the blue wire the same guage as the gray but thats on my crewmax so the dbl cab could be different. I say break out the meter to be sure you have the right wires before blowing any fuses or anything.

[murrdogg17]

Man, that is kick ***. I have the same bakflip cover with a spray-in rhinoliner. When I first saw the mod topic I thought it was out of my league. But I'm thinking I can do it with your instructions. It always bothered me that Toyota didn't wire the tailgate lock into the other locks...

[pedro66]

Hey WT

Thanks for the great write up, I did both the lock and the opener but I seem to have an issue with my TR7 is seeing pluses on the lock and unlock, it connected in the right place as the tailgate lock works, I am thinking as the circuit is just a flip +- and -+ as opposed to being a constant way around got any ideas?

Plus I have a DC so no perm 12V in the trim had to run one but that was not a problem.

Pete

[WT]

Originally Posted by murrdogg17

Man, that is kick ***. I have the same bakflip cover with a spray-in rhinoliner. When I first saw the mod topic I thought it was out of my league. But I'm thinking I can do it with your instructions. It always bothered me that Toyota didn't wire the tailgate lock into the other locks...

It's not to hard and at least I didn't think so...
And if you run into any problems just post up and am sure you get some help from around here.

Originally Posted by pedro66

Hey WT

Thanks for the great write up, I did both the lock and the opener but I seem to have an issue with my TR7 is seeing pluses on the lock and unlock, it connected in the right place as the tailgate lock works, I am thinking as the circuit is just a flip +- and -+ as opposed to being a constant way around got any ideas?

Plus I have a DC so no perm 12V in the trim had to run one but that was not a problem.

Pete

Yeah the pulses being seen on both lock and unlock it kinda odd and was report to me by another user here a long time ago. The TR-7 really shouldn't see one of them but does for some reason. I never did get into it to much to find out why since it has not really bothered me that much.
Maybe as simple as putting a diode inline with the pulse wire that way it only see the pulse on unlock pulse and not lock. If you happen to try it out post back if it made any difference. Not sure why you couldn't find a constant 12V source in the door trim area or the front kick panel.

Also glad that you guys like the MOD and DIY

[RolandFJ40]

Thanks WT for all the help! I love this mod!! The only real problem I had was after installing the two actuators for releasing the tailgate, I noticed the clips and screws provided were binding on the tailgate panel. The way I corrected this was to drill and re-tap the clips, and added 1/8" set screws. Hope this might help anyone with similar issues.

[WT]

Glad to see you got it working without to much of any problem... I get lots of looks when someone first sees me opening my tailgate at the store with the remote. on occasion someone walks up ask says wow thats a neat feture, Guess they think this is stock on the Tundra's
I don't have the heart to tell them its now.
May want to get a picture of what your refering to, that could be helpfull to the next person if they run into similar issue.

Originally Posted by RolandFJ40

Thanks WT for all the help! I love this mod!! The only real problem I had was after installing the two actuators for releasing the tailgate, I noticed the clips and screws provided were binding on the tailgate panel. The way I corrected this was to drill and re-tap the clips, and added 1/8" set screws. Hope this might help anyone with similar issues.