Tailgate Open Indicator

[jguns2002]

Cool. Did you make any progress w/this mod???

[TitanBlue]

Originally Posted by jguns2002

Cool. Did you make any progress w/this mod???

No, I've simplybought a bunch of switches. Just got my BedRug installed, so will be contemplating this while at the NJ Meet on Saturday. I'll take the parts and playaround with fitting it in place. I'm really overloading on Mods right now, trying to get all of them done!

[jguns2002]

Cool. Keep me posted. I have a friend that is an electrical whiz. I may put him on the case this weekend.

[johng_30]

Originally Posted by jguns2002

I've driven away from a stores a couple times w/the tailgate down & almost lost some pretty expensive things. Most recently a brand new Dyson Vacuum this past weekend.

I'm gonna stay behind you the next time you go shopping, LOL. My wife has been nagging me for a new Dyson

[Carbeaux]

Someone already hit on the idea of a magnetic switch, which is the best solution IMHO. As for what to wire it to, pull the power off of one of the fuses inside the cabin that has power with your ignition. Wire the switch into the system, then an indicator LED, then out to your magnetic switch. Ground your switch. Very low current with this, so the wiring wouldn't have to be very heavy gauge at all. I'd look at a mounting a fairly strong, rare earth type magnet around the bottom of the tailgate, near the corner. Then put the switch on the bed itself (open the tailgate to line it up). Not very visible that way. The switch would be a normally open switch.

Edit: The switch inside would let you cut the power to disable the LED. The normally open magnetic switch would close when the gate is open, completing the circuit and thus lighting the LED inside.