Anyone added a tailgate down warning light?

I want to add a light on the dash that will warn me that the tailgate is down.
Similar to the open door warning light.
Anyone done this or seen a thread somewhere were it was accomplished?
TIA

 

It's not a bad idea, especially when you have a bed cover. The backup camera let's me know though.

 

My backup camera doesn't work anymore since changing over to LED reverse bulbs or some other modification.

 

I think it would work with something like this. It would be like a dome light when the door is open, but for the tailgate. Should be easy to do.

https://www.amazon.com/Winnerbe-Adj...gid=pla-571001008264&ref=&adgrpid=70635887228

 

That was the first thing that crossed my mind

 

I don't think they will work very well. First you can't have any paint or the switch will not be grounded. At least up here I would want bare steel exposed to the elements. Secondly those switches are also not really made to be exposed to the elements. I think a magnetic reed switch might be a better option if salt is in your Tundra's future.

 

I was thinking a hood pin switch like you get with a remote starter. You have to make sure it’s made of 316 stainless steel to keep it from rusting

 

Any normally closed momentary switch should do the trick. I've used these on commercial freezer doors

Edit: Not any switch. Avoid cheap china switches from Amazon/ebay unless you like to do things twice. Get an eaton,cutler-hammer, usa made switch. There's not really that much price difference and they'll survive the repeated switching and environment for years

 

If you get stainless or gold plated and use a ring lug with a wire going to a ground it could work. But you'll need to find a place where you can mount it that the tailgate will push against it but will not be damaged and will hide the wire end. A magnetic reed switch could be mounted on the side by the taillight and a magnet on the tailgate tha would be pretty well protected.

 

Sounds like a wiring issue and not a bulb thing, to be honest.

 

Use a magnetic read switch like home security alarms use.

 

Use a Magnetic Reed Switch like we use for overhead doors in Alarm Systems and then the thing will be armoured really including the wiring.
Actually if you buy a Sentrol or GRI plastic reed switch and magnet they are sealed pretty tight already anyway and really small ones are available too. I would silicone them onto opposing surfaces and be good to go.

The Plunger type switches will work too and though they look like they are like the pin switch which is an open metal rust prone switch these are also a reed switch inside and are sealed from the elements too!

You can also get Alarm Contacts in an Open or Closed version where you would need no other components to light an indicator in the cab except a power tap somewhere.

 

If you want to get really fancy, get a switch like A.R.E uses on there gas struts for canopy doors its triggers the inside canopy lights when the back glass is open, could easily rig that to easy down strut in the tundras tail gate (behind drivers side tail light) can't remember if the tail gate strut is in compression while close or not under compression. Either way it would work just two different route scenarios for the way the light would be triggered.

 

You can find it as a replacement item

this will not only be a really clean way to install, but also keep more out of the elements also in a way. Also a pretty much a drill free way also instead of drilling the bed for a switch.

 

Searched ARE site and cannot locate that switch as an item. Would you have a link to where you found it.

 

@tnbndr take the LED bulb out of your highmount brake light.

 

Pretty sure the high mount is not LED but I will check.

 

Yikes some how this one missed my feed. Here ya go , sorry for the late response.
https://www.siraweb.com/gas-prop-switch

 

I bought one of these but it won't work for the tailgate as the strut is compressed when the tailgate is open which would close the switch, cutting the circuit thus turning off a warning light. It is a normally open switch and this application would need it to be normally closed.
Oh well, worth the try.

 

Look for a mercury switch, or a tilt sensor for an aftermarket alarm.

This is very easy to do. Mount the tilt switch inside of the tailgate , run the wires trough the factory camera opening to the cab and add a small led.

 

I put this in the tailgate:

DaierTek 3Pcs Door Jamb Flange Light Hood Mount Pin Switch Nickel Plated Universal with Rubber Boot for Car Truck Boat 20A 12VDC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081MTFTDL

I use it to automatically turn on the bed lights, but you could turn on a warning lamp by grounding the light to the switch.

Drill holes and remove paint so the switch is grounded.



Connect light ground wire to switch.
Glue a screw to your finger so you can fish it through the brake light opening behind the switch. Maybe you'll figure out a better way lol.
Trim the plastic plunger to the right length so the tailgate closes properly.

 

Well I be damned. I thought I was the only one on the planet that has ever glued hardware to my finger to get it started. I used crazy glue, and thankfully for me, a co-worker suggested wearing a nitrile glove when he heard my plan. The combo is brilliant, and doesn’t hurt.

 

Funny this thread should pop up. My buddy installed a switch on his Taco to indicate when the tailgate is down. Turned out so nice, I've been considering it for my Tundra since with a tonneau cover, I can't see if it is down in the mirror and I don't remember to check with the camera.

 

I’d love to have one. Can’t count how many times I’ve ended up at work or across town with the trash still sitting on my tailgate. I’ve got a long driveway and will 100% forget it’s there by the time I get to the trash cans. ‍♂️

 

Trash would be ok, what about a shotgun and all your hunting gear??

 

That’s no good at all

 

A few weeks ago I was stopped at a traffic light and noticed unusual activity in my mirror. I looked up at it to see a very sharply dressed woman in her mid 40s climbing out of her Mercedes SUV and walking up to my truck. We made eye contact as she reached my tailgate. She smiled at the curious look on my face, lifted my gate up and closed it. I smiled back sheepishly and mouthed "thank you”. She politely waved and boarded her 80,000.00 black beauty. The light turned green and off we went.
I need a flashing light.