Chops
Active Member
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.
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.
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