power tailgate?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Vehicle Wiring Information & File Requests
Forum Discription: Request Car Alarm, Car Stereo, Cruise Control, Remote Starter, Navigation, Mobile Video, and Other Vehicle Specific Wiring Info, Manuals, Tech Tips
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=74315
Printed Date: July 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM

Topic: power tailgate?

Posted By: cumminsboy94
Subject: power tailgate?
Date Posted: March 11, 2006 at 9:17 PM

hi there I am in the process of building a custom 97 dodge ram ( on a budget unfortunately ) I shaved the tailgate two years ago and just recently I decided to put a soft tonneau on it. The problem now is i have to unsnap the rear of the toneau to access the tailgate handle. Has anyone played with the idea of putting a tailgate on a linear motor, or set it up on door solinoids with some sort of lowering device. I have seen kits on the web for making a tailgate work on a linear motor but they are way more than i'd like to spend for the convienanc of it. just curious of any thoughts or suggestions i'm sure there is someone out there that might an idea i haven't thought of

Replies:

Posted By: mad550
Date Posted: March 12, 2006 at 1:11 AM

I did something like that on a Holden Commodore ute once it's not easy but not impossible, use heavy duty locking motors.

-------------
WOW Sight and Sound
Maroochydore
Nothing is impossible!
Do it right the first time or don't do it at all.

Posted By: cumminsboy94
Date Posted: March 13, 2006 at 4:13 AM

i think i have the locks figured out but how did you keep the tailgate from slamming down thats where i'm running into a hangup. I found a torsion spring that is supposed to relieve 80% of the weight from the tailgate but i'd like to slow down the other 20% of weight b/c i think it would still be hard on the tailgate cables.