Interior Tailgate Release Handle Ideas?

Like a lotta you guys, I use my Tacoma for camping. And like many of you guys, I sleep in the bed.

I’ve added an interior handle to the inside of the shell to open the window from the inside.

Id like to do the same for the tailgate. I’d like to be able to open it from the inside.

I know I can’t be the only one who hates having to open it from the outside in the middle of the night when i wake up to take a piss.

Has any one added an interior release handle to their tailgate ?

 

Bump

 

Pretty interesting idea seems like it's a opportunity to do some testing.

My idea would be attaching a nut with epoxy to each of the rails and make a slotted hole in your inner tailgate with just enough room to attach a bolt to the nut and slide it open.

 

I’m visualizing what your saying and it makes sense.

My biggest thing is keeping the inner panel from having anything sticking further out than stock that’ll get in the way.

 

Yea kinda what i was thinking if you have a thread nut to screw into you could unscrew and cover the slot when you don't need it

 

I’m 99% sure I saw a build thread where someone added an interior handle that was made from nylon webbing. It was a simple slot and pull strap. I looked around and for the life of me I can’t remember where I saw it.


Picture this, but on the inside of the tailgate skin.

 

There's a fairly common conversion for custom Chevy's to move the tailgate handle inside of to the bed. I know they are more or less flush with the surface of the tailgate. Maybe with a bit of ingenuity, you might be able to make that work?

 

I actually had a Dakota that had a shaved and flipped tailgate handle back in high school.

Not a horrible idea to add another handle to the inside. Biggest issue is would be how bulky it would be I think.

 

Why not do something like this:

https://www.autoanything.com/tonnea...ndOA1PXffEyNOfeHd9Msh-tfsU9Hr7gxoCeIgQAvD_BwE

Instead of integrating it with keyless entry, install it, wire it up with a momentary switch, and place that switch somewhere discrete in the bed of the truck?

You could probably do it cheaper with an appropriate 12v linear actuator, if you don't mind figuring out the mounting.

 

Why don’t you get a hood realese cable from pepboys or one of those places and hook it up through the tailgate bed cover

 

Where would You terminate it? That’s my biggest thing.

 

Who gets up in the middle of the night to piss, that's what empty Gatorade bottles are for.

Actually I kinda thought about it but it honestly didn't make any sense for me anyways. You have to open the rear window anyways so sticking your arm out isn't that big of a deal. I have a flat piece of plastic sheeting (HMWPE I think it is?) attached to my tailgate to make it a better prep/cook table, workbench, seat, etc. I don't want something that's going to collect anything I spill or worse, bang up my aging knees as I climb in and out (another reason I like the flat sheet of plastic).

I will sometimes wrap a piece of webbing around the tailgate and cinch it at the top to make it easier to lower without leaning out or just dropping it. It can't be good for it to drop and it's noisy when you're camped near other people. I've actually thought about affixing a footman's loop to the top of the tailgate to attach a piece of webbing to.

 

I’m basically just looking for an excuse to tinker with something if I’m being honest. Reinvent the wheel.

I’ve had a paracord loop on the tailgate to lower it down slowly from the inside for years now. Just looking to expand upon this

I’m still liking my flat nylon webbing pull release idea since it’s basically flat and I won’t bang anything off of it sliding stuff in and out of the truck

 

Looking at a video of the tailgate latch releases on the Tacoma (because I can't remember what mine looks like and I'm far too lazy to go pull it apart) it looks like you should be able to drill a hole in the metal part that the rods attach to then attach a piece of cable to it and pull it down to release. I'm going off this video so I could be wrong: @ 1:44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1aeSQum75Y. It used to be pretty common for VW bus owners to drill a hole in the rear hatch panel and then use a piece of stainless cable with a rubber loop to pop the rear hatch from inside. It was nice being able to pop the rear open when still down in your sleeping bag.

 

Did some searching. Found this thread the other day.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-tailgate-release-from-key-fob.311848/page-2



I have ideas now.

I have 2 power door lock motors from a previous project I never did. And I just installed an EZ-Down tailgate assist on the truck today.

If my idea works, I’ll use the lock motors to push the rods “open” and use the return spring in the handle to “close” the motors.

Instead of going off the remote, I’m just going to add a momentary switch for now. If it all works out, I’ll add the brain to connect it to the OEM keyfob.

 

I'm just gonna keep a eye on this thread. Please update it with how things work out.

 

Why not just use a water bottle/

 

I don't see how a water bottle could open a tailgate.

 

Too easy.


I got the releases all designed, installed, and hooked up and working 100%

I’ll post some pics and info at some point.

 

Any chance you have a picture of your tailgate?