Behold! A secure external tailgate window switch!

[mikeeey1337]

Hey guys, first post here on the forum. I'd like to show you an external tailgate switch I've come up with that controls the rear window.

I've added a micro switch to the drivers door that makes contact with the lock linkage. Attached to that is a wire that goes to an external marine/waterproof switch that controls the tailgate window. In the locked position the switch does not function, and in the unlocked position the circuit is complete and powers the switch.

Here's the micro switch I used. I cut the arm down a little bit on mine. There are ones with shorter arms but I'd rather get the longest one I could find if I needed the length

10x Long Arm Lever Limit Switches Straight Hinge Type SPDT Micro Switches NO/NC 642610527487 | eBay

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And this is the rocker switch I used. You don't have to use this one, there's all sorts of styles out there, including ones that light up when you press it or a simple traditional looking post toggle switch. You just wanna make sure it's a momentary 3 positon on-off-on switch

SPDT Waterproof 20A 12/24VDC Momentary Rocker Switch (ON)-OFF-(ON) USA SELLER!!! | eBay

Built from high quality materials, and featuring a sealed dust and waterproof design, these rocker switches are ideal for heavy duty applications. Panel Cutout Shape: Rectangular. Panel Cutout Size: 21mm X 37mm.

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Here is a video of it on my Instagram. My profile is public so you should be able to view it without needing an account.

 

[Dumpolina]

Nice work!!

 

[liveoak]

can you not just roll the window up and down with the key in the keyhole on the tailgate?

 

[mikeeey1337]

can you not just roll the window up and down with the key in the keyhole on the tailgate?

The contacts on the back of the tailgate key switch are known to go out on 1st gens, especially now that they're 32-37 years old. On some of the 4runner groups I'm on a lot of people's don't even work anymore from what I've heard.
But in addition to that, I feel that the stock key switch isn't very secure. I know 2 people who have had theirs broken into through the tailgate simply by someone using a similair Toyota key or jamming a screwdriver into it.

Also, I think it beats having to dig out your key every time. In my particular case, if I'm out camping and I have the truck unlocked I can easily open and close the rear window without digging the key out or using the front switch. Also another example that works well in my benefit is if me and my girlfriend are sleeping in the back while camping, if one of us gets out to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night we can close the window behind us without needing the key.

 

[goaticus]

I love to see others upgraded mods for the rest window. I added an auto up/down feature to mine and it can be triggered from the keyless entry FOB.

 

[mikeeey1337]

I love to see others upgraded mods for the rest window. I added an auto up/down feature to mine and it can be triggered from the keyless entry FOB.

Was yours by chance one of those viper 1-way alarms with an aux button on the remote? If so, that's what I have, and have been very interested in doing the same with my aux button. I even purchased the 529t adapter that's supposed to be for exactly that, but couldn't figure it out.

 

[goaticus]

Was yours by chance one of those viper 1-way alarms with an aux button on the remote? If so, that's what I have, and have been very interested in doing the same with my aux button. I even purchased the 529t adapter that's supposed to be for exactly that, but couldn't figure it out.

No this one

Was yours by chance one of those viper 1-way alarms with an aux button on the remote? If so, that's what I have, and have been very interested in doing the same with my aux button. I even purchased the 529t adapter that's supposed to be for exactly that, but couldn't figure it out.

I don't think so. Mines a generic system that seems to be sold under various names. The auto up down is another generic unit that works as a replacement for the stock box.