Finally Installed Tailgate Open Sensor

[WOADKIL]

Note to Self: Design and install the GD tailgate warning light before another open tailgate incident!!!

First: Find a reliable sensor that will detect the position of the tailgate
Must handle 12VDC
Weather Proof
Cheap
Level Switch AMAZON Link

Second: Select LED
12VDC
Chose blinking YELLOW to help attract attention when the tailgate is down

Third: Select Power source
Use automotive fuse tap

Forth: Design simple circuit
Used circuit that used 12VDC from Fuse 35
Ran power from fuse tap to LED POS lead
Ran ground wire from LED to tailgate level switch
Grounded second wire from level switch to ground on frame
Double stick taped next to CIG Lighter (for now)
Inside tailgate mounting >>>>

LED mounted next to Lighter >>>>>>>>>

Seems to work just like intended

Enjoy!

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[dstig1]

Nice electronical fun but how is this an issue for you?

 

[airline tech]

I get it, in my 3 plus years of ownership of my Ranger, I have driven with an (unknown) tailgate down and cargo (tools) near the edge of the bed.
Luckily, they stayed in bed.
Only did this once - now it's a mental reminder, granted I do not haul things as much as say a construction worker etc would.

 

[samsd]

It happens, unloaded my recycle stuff, drove across town, it's a small town, pulled into Menards and saw my tailgate was down. Lost my little tool tote but it was sitting on the ground at the turn in to Menards. I got lucky.

 

[Big Blue]

It happens, unloaded my recycle stuff, drove across town, it's a small town, pulled into Menards and saw my tailgate was down. Lost my little tool tote but it was sitting on the ground at the turn in to Menards. I got lucky.

Obviously you didn't have to put your truck in reverse in that time. If I leave my tailgate down as soon as I put it in reverse my rear parking sensors go off and my backup camera is looking at my rear bumper.

If I need to carry anything with the tailgate down, I need to turn off my parking sensors. Still a nice mod to have.

 

[samsd]

Obviously you didn't have to put your truck in reverse in that time. If I leave my tailgate down as soon as I put it in reverse my rear parking sensors go off and my backup camera is looking at my rear bumper.

If I need to carry anything with the tailgate down, I need to turn off my parking sensors. Still a nice mod to have.

An important part of my safe driving training from my former company is not to back up unless you have no other option so I chose drive thru parking if available and yes I am one of those guys that will back into a parking spot. So I avoid backing and if I have to back, I back first. Old habits. I do put the truck in reverse to check the tailgate if I am unsure.

 

[Racket]

I get it, in my 3 plus years of ownership of my Ranger, I have driven with an (unknown) tailgate down and cargo (tools) near the edge of the bed.
Luckily, they stayed in bed.
Only did this once - now it's a mental reminder, granted I do not haul things as much as say a construction worker etc would.

I'd like to see this as an alarm accessory.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

An important part of my safe driving training from my former company is not to back up unless you have no other option so I chose drive thru parking if available and yes I am one of those guys that will back into a parking spot. So I avoid backing and if I have to back, I back first. Old habits. I do put the truck in reverse to check the tailgate if I am unsure.

Good on you Dan,

I am a big fan of pull thru parking and love our rear facing cameras that make for a perfect park (@OrangeStreak and our beloved miss @Tracy Bowman excluded and completely excused - no judgment here - okay, maybe a little).

About a billion years ago, when I was in college, I worked nights at FedEx. At the time, they had a back-up procedure that involved a double honk of the horn before letting off the brake. They instilled it in everybody, even if all you did was refuel vans after their shift and back them into the terminal. When staging the vans in rows in the back lot for their daily pressure wash, it still had to be followed. It was cultish!

To this day, I’m all about the double honk before backing up.

 

[WOADKIL]

OK, next mod: FORWARD FACING CAMERA, for off roading.

 

[oldnslow]

OK, next mod: FORWARD FACING CAMERA, for off roading.

Or pulling into a tight garage. Why can't houses have garages that are big enough?

 

[airline tech]

I'd like to see this as an alarm accessory.

I put together a mockup of a switch that will tie into the (Hood Ajar) switch, I mainly just did it for curiosity. It really only needs a final solution for a mounting bracket that will tie into the tail gate release handle.
I don't remember where I left off in the following thread, but there are a few options that can be used to tie into the alarm (Door Ajar) either by the tailgate (opening) or the (Handle) and then also add a toggle switch (By-Pass) if you have the need for Tailgate (Open or Removed)

I do not really have a need for it - Park in Garage both Home & Work and I may still revisit this and actually install it.

Switch to activate perimeter alarm if Tailgate is opened | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[Big Blue]

An important part of my safe driving training from my former company is not to back up unless you have no other option so I chose drive thru parking if available and yes I am one of those guys that will back into a parking spot. So I avoid backing and if I have to back, I back first. Old habits. I do put the truck in reverse to check the tailgate if I am unsure.

I agree with you 100%. I will always take a drive thru spot if available. The issue is many of the parking lots have gone to angled parking with one way aisles. Probably because it lets them have narrower aisles, park more cars. Does not allow backing in. Also IF you even can pull thru you are now going against traffic flow.

Our city has started implementing back in angle parking along some streets. Especially along designated bike routes. This is so drivers can see bicyclists before pulling out in front of them. Works well when people READ and obey the signs.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

@AzScorpion how about a battery powered Bluetooth sensor in the tailgate damper?

 

[Chris M]

@AzScorpion how about a battery powered Bluetooth sensor in the tailgate damper?

Waste of a perfectly good battery, in my opinion.

 

[AzScorpion]

@AzScorpion how about a battery powered Bluetooth sensor in the tailgate damper?

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