Thanks Guys - I now have a power locking tailgate!

[Thomas Rogers]

Thanks to projects from Lusker and Chops I now have a power locking tailgate.



I bought a cheap lock actuator off eBay (under $9 with shipping) and a few hours later I had it all installed. The hard part is "tinkering" with the actuator and the metal lever until you get "just the right" position, lever length, angle, etc...off too much in any direction and you won't lock, or unlock properly, or you get in the way of the key locking mechanism. But, if you are patient, you can get it...I did.



Is REALLY nice to not have to fumble for keys now to lock and unlock the tailgate. Keyless entry is the way to go!



TJR

 

[Todd Z]

yup, one of the best things I ever did ...

Todd Z

 

[David Tallent]

I have to agree, I love mine. Since I have installed it, the only lock I use my key on is the tonneau cover and ignition.

 

[Tabjo]

Congrats! I concur, one of the best additions anyone can add to the ST.



TJR, did you add the quick disconnect also?

 

[MJ L]

I also have the powerlocking tailgate. GRUMP hooked me up with the install...haven't had much fun using it since I'm still across the pond...but I will tell you this...it's worth way more than the small amount of cash necessary to install...



WP'06

 

[Eric Pennal]

Hey David,



Buy an EZLok from Rich Lunder, and you won't even need the key for the tonneau cover.

 

[Dreman]

I'm getting too used to the keyless entry. I've tried to use it on the house several times!

 

[Thomas Rogers]

No, Tabjo, I didn't add the quick disconnect connectors, however, I plan to add that later if/when I ever take the tailgate off as I left about 8-10" of wire coiled up in the tailgate (looped and held in place in the inner wall with some electrical tape) so I can just pull that out and have more than enough to play with to add the connectors.



Part of the reason I didn't add them is because I doubt I will ever remove the tailgate, and the other reasons were that I was tiring of the project after all the fiddling to get the mechanism to work right, and third, I didn't want to have exposed connectors near the exposed pivot point of the tailgate (though I guess I could try to cover them with something).



Oh, and I did use 1/4" wire loom all the way from inside the door post, through the truck underside and into the tailgate. I had to buy the loom off eBay because all the local shops only had 3/8" as their smallest diameter...and their prices were gawd-awful high anyway. I used long ties to hold the loom to the frame, making sure not to rest it on anything that vibrates or moves (bumper stop, muffler hanger, etc).



So far I am loving it. It was raining Saturday afternoon, so it was the perfect, small, garage project.



TJR

 

[Chops]

Glad it all worked out.

Yes I like mine too, nice peace of mind.



I have since added a mechanism to my Advance tonneau cover, it locks automatically with the keyfob now also.



Who needs keys anyway!!

 

[Shawn Hennessy]

I have keyless entry for the ARE top...but not for the tailgate. I am a slug. I should do this.

 

[Adam Shirley]

I did the power lock tailgate last week. Great mod..Thanks. Anyway, what is this talk a/b the tonneau cover power lock? How do I get one and could someone post the project? Thanks.

Adam S.

 

[Eric Pennal]

Adam,



Rich Lunder is a Site Sponsor who designed and builds the EZLok. Look under "Site Sponsors" in the screen menu to the left. He is the LeverLift Company. His web site hasn't been updated to show the EZLok yet, I don't think.



The EZLok allows you to lock/unlock the tonneau cover with the remote key fob instead of having to use the key. T-handles replace the oval rubber key-lock bumpers that come on the OEM cover. When unlocked, the T-handle turns to unlatch the lid.



Here's a picture that shows the T-handle assemblies (the one on the front-right is a dummy, the same as OEM).





[Broken External Image]:

 

[Adam Shirley]

Thanks a bunch Eric. It's just been added to my to-do list.

 

[Gypsy me]

Eric, I'm bringing my kit with me to Dallas.... Can we talk? LOL

 

[Eric Pennal]

Sure thing, Gypsy.



I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours. :lol:

 

[Gypsy me]

:lol::lol::lol: