Tailgate Actuator
Here is a remote tailgate actuator project I completed in the Spring of 2004. This is performed on my new 2004 XLT Premium, 5 days old and 100 miles. I felt that the remote locking/unlocking of the tailgate is missing as a standard feature. Since the ST has the lockable tailgate, and lockable bed covers are usually installed, why did Ford leave this off? I will install an Advance cover very soon and wanted another measure of security (read: I don't want to forget to lock the tailgate)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~So on with the project~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disassemble tailgate cover. Six torx bolts and four plastic retainers.
This is the stock lock mechanism, actuated by the Ford key. The goal is to move the black plastic lever back and forth with an electric solenoid to replicate the manual key operation.
I started with a door lock/unlock actuator I had laying around. It happens to have come from a 1994 Saturn, but these things are universal and I've seen them on eBay for $8.00. I fabbed a metal lever to add to the actuator for reach. These actuators come in so many shapes and sizes, it would be pointless to describe the metal lever size/modification: this is only to attest that you don't have to buy an expensive actuator.
I drilled two holes in the tailgate frame, in areas that are completely covered by the panel that was taken off, and bolted the modified actuator in place as to where the metal fabbed lever "rests" inside the black plastic sliding lever. The manual key operation of the lock is in no way impaired by the addition of the actuator assembly. After testing with a battery and adjusting, I tightened the actuator assembly up and applied green penetrating threadlock to the nuts and lockwashers.
The wiring couldn't be easier. The goal here is to reach the interior right rear door hinge area. Run the wires from the newly installed actuator through the bottom of the tailgate. I used an existing square cutout towards the right side bottom of the tailgate: I wanted to go on the right side of the truck as so I wouldn't have to deal with the fuel tank. I ran the wires through the slot between the truck bed and frame. Run the wires on top of the truck beam and secure with nylon ties. Enter the interior of the cab through a rubber plug that is directly underneath the rr door hinge brace
Remove the interior vertical plastic jamb housing that covers the seat belt retractor. No screws, no plastic fasteners, it just pops off. Tap the two wires on the stock molex connector/lock actuator serving the rr door. These two wires are identified as pink/black stripe and pink/orange stripe (2004). Test the polarity before soldering is done: if it is reversed=no biggie, the tailgate will Lock when you press UNlock on key fob. Make sure the tail Locks when you press Lock
