I've got an idea to use a magnetic contact switch to activate my LED bedlights, but have hid a snag. The switches I have decided on are a recess mount switch that are 1.5" deep and 1" in diameter. Has anyone drilled into the side of the tailgate by the tail light? I imagine it's a double wall panel for strength, but what else besides the latch is there? I could also probably do it on the bottom face of the tailgate, but if I remember right, isn't there a torsion bar along the bottom to ease the lifting of the gate? I'd rather not use a contact switch or external mounted contact switch as I'd LOVE to have the switch install appear stock.

 

You can remove the inspection panel and check it out. T-30 torx bolts. There is the torsion bar, but as long as you go above it, and below the latch, i think you'll be ok.

 

Didn't think to pull the cover off. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

No problem. I take them off all the time at work to do spray bed liners. I've never actually poked my head in there to see what's what though.

 

I am going to do something similar. I am using a tilt switch in the tailgate.

 

Tailgate is nice and open to do some drilling, but the gap distance is too wide for the switched I've seen so far.

 

I've looked into the tilt switches, but how sensitive would they be to vibration or un-level ground? Also, will a 2-wire switch work because that's all I seem to be finding.

 

I would guess it would have to be on how you have it mounted. I plan on having the "bulb" of the tilt switch pointed at an angle towards the ground when the tailgate is closed. When you lower the tailgate to the open position the mercury, or BB would then roll "down hill" to make the contact.

There only needs to be 2 wires. The wires are not connected inside the switch, once the mercury or BB makes contact across the 2 terminals that is what completes the circuit. I plan on having it inline with the ground for the lights. There will also be a 3 position switch in the bed. 1 position will be always on, 1 will be always off, and the 3rd will be auto. the last thing is I will have an LED in the overhead console to let me know if my tailgate was left open, and the light is on.


I figure while I am at it, I am going to run another wire for a 12 volt socket in the bed.


Hope that makes sense.

 

i used a momentary switch and drilled it into the bed where the tailgate closes.

Here is switch i used: http://www.elecdirect.com/product/e7...b2161659b.aspx

and a pic of it installed I would use a tilt switch if i did i again. The only draw back I see in using a tilt switch in the tailgate is more wires that need to run in and out of the tailgate and the # of disconnects required if you want to remove the tailgate.

I also added a light in the pull out step as part of my bed lights , so that along with the power tailgate is 4 wires. Add in another two for a tilt switch and it gets pretty crowded in those holes.