Help with tailgate
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,646
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
If wiring colors didn't change between '04 and '05, the wire's are white with a red stripe for lock and black with a white stripe for unlock. Look either in the driver's side kick panel, the VSM, or just simply look to see where the wire's enter the vehicle from the driver's side door. These wire's are somewhat smaller than the other wire's entering from the driver's door.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Leander, TX
well, after much searching on the web and a little testing, i found them. the power lock wires are in the front kick panel. Pink/black & Pink/orange. the power tailgate lock works like a charm. now whenever my doors are locked or unlocked, so is my tailgate!! i also reversed the mounting assembly on the right side of the tailgate. it will take 'em 30 minutes just to figure out that they have to literally dismantle several parts in not very easy spots, to get it off. anyway thanks for the effort.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
I'm glad to here you got it. It doesn't seem as though the wire colors have changed. The wire's I gave you were for the driver's door switch. The wire's you used were for the door lock motors. Now what happens if you want to remove your tailgate? Did you wire in a quick disconnect for the wire's?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Leander, TX
exactly, there is a quick disconnect on it. just pull the plug and then do my secret tailgate removal. i'd like to see the guy who tries to grab it next. even if he gets past the handle that gate isn't coming off without some work and know how!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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wow, very high-tech. I just put a hose clamp around the passenger side quick release portion of the tailgate, very low tech.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Leander, TX
i thought about a hose clamp, but it's too easy to remove with a screwdriver. i removed the moounting bracket on the passenger side. then, i rotated the inner plastic ring to make a full circle. you have to put the bracket on the tailgate then screw it back in. also did a couple other things.... anyway, they won't be taking the tailgate off without some thought, tools, and time!!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Leander, TX
it is common here in south texas anyway. price a new tailgate and you'll see why. and the price from the factory is unpainted. it cost me over $700 to get a used '06 tailgate and spray it with line-x to replace my stolen one.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Where did you get the lock Mastercaster? Would like to do mine the same. How much $$$? I'm in Central Tx. and heard off a lot of the gates disapearring, like at mall parking lots. I have a hard cover that comes down over the gate but still would like it to lock with the doors.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Leander, TX
here is where i bought the lock..
http://www.aztrucks.com/category.asp?product=165
i still recommend reversing the inner plastic mounting ring on the passenger side. that makes it near impossible to get off.
http://www.aztrucks.com/category.asp?product=165
i still recommend reversing the inner plastic mounting ring on the passenger side. that makes it near impossible to get off.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
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From: Northern Va
My '04 came with a lock in the tailgate handle. I guess the XL models didn't.
Couldn't you just buy a locking handle from the dealership and have it keyed to fit your vehicle cheaper than the work and materials to install a power lock set up and do all the mods mentioned here?
Couldn't you just buy a locking handle from the dealership and have it keyed to fit your vehicle cheaper than the work and materials to install a power lock set up and do all the mods mentioned here?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Leander, TX
mine is an xlt and also had the locking handle. those locks are just like the front door locks......not worth a ****, and easy to bypass. i actually bought an xl lockless handle to use with the power lock. now there is no keyhole for them to mess with. the gate locks from the inside whenever i lock or unlock the doors. if your in an area where tailgates are hot item like here in south texas, then i certainly wouldn't put one iota of trust in that POS factory lock. i am confident that with the power lock and other mod i did, they will be taking your tailgate long before they get mine!!
as for price, a lock cylinder from the dealer is $25 or $30...and then you have to have a locksmith rekey. another $25 - $50. the power lock is $100 with the extra harness needed for crewcabs. the other mod i did took me 45 minutes of my time. that's it!! i think it is worth the little bit extra for the power lock. now i know that everytime i walk away from the vehicle and hit my keyless entry the tailgate locks. i don't have to think about locking it anymore....it's just done!
as for price, a lock cylinder from the dealer is $25 or $30...and then you have to have a locksmith rekey. another $25 - $50. the power lock is $100 with the extra harness needed for crewcabs. the other mod i did took me 45 minutes of my time. that's it!! i think it is worth the little bit extra for the power lock. now i know that everytime i walk away from the vehicle and hit my keyless entry the tailgate locks. i don't have to think about locking it anymore....it's just done!
Last edited by mastercaster; Dec 8, 2005 at 08:14 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Northern Va
Originally Posted by mastercaster
mine is an xlt and also had the locking handle. those locks are just like the front door locks......not worth a ****, and easy to bypass. i actually bought an xl lockless handle to use with the power lock. now there is no keyhole for them to mess with. the gate locks from the inside whenever i lock or unlock the doors. if your in an area where tailgates are hot item like here in south texas, then i certainly wouldn't put one iota of trust in that POS factory lock. i am confident that with the power lock and other mod i did, they will be taking your tailgate long before they get mine!!