3x Unlock Tailgate Opener

Update: Lots of progression made to this mod, moved to the Marketplace thread.
https://dsimsolutions.com/products/tail-gate-opener-module-v2


Been working on another small mod as I have had time. I had a spare actuator laying around and was wanting to play with a TR7 module.

I have a pop n lock setup already that was installed when I bought the truck. This handles the lock/unlock of the tailgate. I was wanting to see if another actuator could be used to open the tailgate. The actuator portion is pretty easy, it just attaches to the tailgate linkage and pulls it back. For testing I just clamped the actuator to the tailgate in line with the tailgate linkage so it would pull it when activated.



Temporary wiring of the actuator showed that it would work so I got to work programming my TR7 module. The TR7 module is able to recognize 3 unlock button pushes and activate a relay that triggers the actuator to pull for two seconds.

At first I was thinking there would not be enough pushing the tailgate rearward to get it to pop. I was thinking a set of door poppers would be required, like

WANWU Door Poppers Trunk Popper 2PC

these. But after testing it seemed there was enough without them.

So, check it out. Here's the proto.



So it seems this was pretty easy. Only things left are to consider mounting of the actuator. I like to avoid drillling into the truck so I plan on trying @KTJO 4x4 's mounting brackets from her popnlock kit. Will just need to angle the rod so it pulls correctly as the actuator with that bracket is not lined up with the linkage. Next I need to find an easy power / ground source near the tailgate. Ideally I'd like to find a male/female connector that I can t-harness off of. I still have some more research to do, but the proof of concept is there.

If I can button up and Plug N Play this setup pretty nice, I am considering selling these. But we will see how development goes.

 

Reserved

 

Reserved x2

 

Awesome! Would be very interested.

 

Cool

 

I LOVE IT!!! Brackets come in this week Buddy!!! I cannot wait for this.

 

this is legit!!!

 

Looking forward to seeing this. I have Katie's kit and would love to add this feature on if it works. Hoping you sell this. Haha

 

Buddy of mine did this to his tundra. Pretty cool mod.

 

Rav 4 fob with the 3rd button programmed for tailgate drop would be legit.

My only concern is accidentally hitting the unlock 1 more time and having the tailgate drop unintentionally
(depending on what I am backed up against could be trouble)
Love the innovation though!

Having a dedicated button (and add that it would require a long hold) rules out any doubt in my mind.

 

I was thinking the same. Sometimes I hit the lock and unlock buttons more time than I should. But assuming the remote thing gets worked out, I would interested in this.

 

Could always tap into the parking sensors to make sure there are no obstacles close. Now THAT would be some wizardry.

But Im not sure the Fob could work, you'd have to also swap the receiver on the vehicle side wouldnt you? $200 new remote plus the device on the vehicle side would add up quickly. And those oem fobs are rolling code so I doubt it'd be possible to have an arduino or something seperate read the signal from the trunk button.

I can increase the button count with the fob to like 4 or 5 easily. Would just be a lot of toyota chiming.

 

Sub’d

Interested to see where this goes

 

I had the same thought as you or i would have actually tried to figure out something myself. I wouldnt want the tailgate to open by accident.



Thats my Garage door 1-2 inches from the rear bumper.

But having a sensor or something to keep it from opening in those kinds of situations would be good!

 

Actually a 3 times push of the unlock would still work. I have my truck set to unlock all doors on 1 push, to accommodate the Passenger side smart handle so I would have to purposefully push it 3 times. I guess I shouldnt be worried, I was at first when we got my wifes Lexus that has a powered tailgate. It would be exactly the same thing since she parks on the other side of that garage door, almost as close as I do.

 

GENIUS absolute GENIUS!!!

 

very cool

 

There are none, the nearest would be the 7-pin trailer harness connector, the battery charging pin, but that needs ACC on...so no constant hot. Run a dedicated fused line tho the rear.

 

@DSIM , was the DEI 524N actuator that you used have enough pulling strength to pop the tailgate on every try? I remember in the past, I had to use the 522T to pop open my trunk because the standard actuators didnt have enough pulling power. That was back in the day when they didnt have the 524N though. I was just curious. Looks like this would be a very cool mod if you could make it plug and play or easy to connect up the module and actuator.

 

The DEI 524N I had in my garage worked just fine, I am researching some other options however.

I am currently working on making a PNP solution for the wiring. Think I am on the right track, I've got it drawn up electrically where everything would stay in the cab connecting to KTJO's PopNLock harness. And one chassis ground for the actuator.

Don't want to get two excited until I prove out my thoughts.