Wiring question

New member here. Getting old & forgetful. After loading my tools in the bed of my 08 Tacoma, I’ll be driving down the road & wonder, ‘did I close my tailgate? Am I slinging tools all over the road?’ I can’t see the tailgate from inside the truck because I have a tonaue cover.
I would like to install a pin switch, like the ones for my door open switch, on my tailgate. Can I do that by splicing into the wires on one of my door open switches?Anyone know the color of the wire I need to splice and / or an easy path to run the new wire from the cab to the end of the truck? Please explain in simple terms like I’m a 5 year old. A slow 5 year old. Thanks!

 

This was my first attempt at posting. Did I do something wrong? My post looks different from the others. What do the eyeglasses in the upper right corner represent? Other posts have bold titles. Mine doesn’t? Thanks

 

It would be easier to use a magnetic switch, see below. Wire it as Normally Open (NO) so when the tailgate is down it will connect the internal wires together. Take one half of the NO circuit to metal so it is grounded and the other half you can run to any of the door pin wires in the cab. This way it'll turn on the dome light just like any of the doors do. As for running the wire, loom it and run it in the frame as much as possible. You'll find some body grommets under the cab near the door sills that will be a good place to bring the wire into the cab.

$10 Gebildet 3 Sets NO/NC Black Magnetic Switch Wiring Recessed Door Sensor Hidden Window Contact Reed Switch for Access Control Replace Alarm System

https://www.amazon.com/Gebildet-Rec...0&sprefix=magnetic+switch,aps,434&sr=8-3&th=1

 

You did it right. The glasses mean you are watching that thread. I'm pretty sure it defaults to that with posts that you start so that you get notifications when someone replies.

And the reason other posts are bold is because you haven't read those ones yet. When you click on a post, the title will become thin indicating that you read it. When someone adds a comment, it turns bold again to indicate that there is unread content.

@gstodd gave a good recommendation. I would maybe add an inline switch or some other way to disable that for times when you do have your tailgate down on purpose. Otherwise it might get annoying having the lights and possibly door chimes going when you are hauling lumber or something.

 

Thanks guys. I’m starting to figure things out. I really appreciate the help. I have the switches in my cart. A lot of good information here. I have a ‘door open’ warning light on my dashboard so this switch should turn that on as well.