Behold! A secure external tailgate window switch
#1
Behold! A secure external tailgate window switch
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
https://www.ebay.com/itm/182751118435
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
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293160909825
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.
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
https://www.ebay.com/itm/182751118435
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
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293160909825
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.
Last edited by mikeeey1337; 10-30-2020 at 08:48 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by mikeeey1337:
Jhoward (11-25-2020),
RAD4Runner (11-10-2020)
#2
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
decent addition. you could almost get away without tying it in to the door lock, since it isn't visible at all under the plate holder.
i added a "live" switch inside mine, within the rear seat cubby pocket on the driver side. useful for opening the window when sleeping in the back, because the console switch doesn't work unless the key is in the ignition and switched to acc or on.
another of my mods is visible: the subaru rear shoulder belt add-on.
but it would be handy to have that switch available outside, instead of fumbling for the key. to be fair, my rear key switches work just fine.
i added a "live" switch inside mine, within the rear seat cubby pocket on the driver side. useful for opening the window when sleeping in the back, because the console switch doesn't work unless the key is in the ignition and switched to acc or on.
another of my mods is visible: the subaru rear shoulder belt add-on.
but it would be handy to have that switch available outside, instead of fumbling for the key. to be fair, my rear key switches work just fine.
The following 2 users liked this post by wallytoo:
RAD4Runner (11-25-2020),
SomedayJ (10-30-2020)
#3
decent addition. you could almost get away without tying it in to the door lock, since it isn't visible at all under the plate holder.
i added a "live" switch inside mine, within the rear seat cubby pocket on the driver side. useful for opening the window when sleeping in the back, because the console switch doesn't work unless the key is in the ignition and switched to acc or on.
another of my mods is visible: the subaru rear shoulder belt add-on.
but it would be handy to have that switch available outside, instead of fumbling for the key. to be fair, my rear key switches work just fine.
i added a "live" switch inside mine, within the rear seat cubby pocket on the driver side. useful for opening the window when sleeping in the back, because the console switch doesn't work unless the key is in the ignition and switched to acc or on.
another of my mods is visible: the subaru rear shoulder belt add-on.
but it would be handy to have that switch available outside, instead of fumbling for the key. to be fair, my rear key switches work just fine.
And speaking of camping, one thing I recently added was this little pull strap to the tailgate for pulling it shut from the inside, it really helps out a lot! I have a sleeping platform in mine so sitting higher up on that, and having to reach out and grab the tailgate from the outside (which is also sound deadened so there's extra weight) was a little annoying.
Last edited by mikeeey1337; 10-30-2020 at 10:59 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by mikeeey1337:
RAD4Runner (11-10-2020),
SomedayJ (10-30-2020)
#5
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
when camping, i climb over the closed tailgate, rather than opening it every time, precisely because it is heavy and awkward to close from inside. strap is a good idea for dealing with that.
i'm curious if your key-switch still works with the modification you've added?
i'm curious if your key-switch still works with the modification you've added?
Last edited by wallytoo; 10-30-2020 at 11:20 AM.
#7
Good idea!. That tailgate is so heavy and I recently had to deal with that a couple times for 11 nights we were in Utah. I really wish I had the time to convert to flip-up window.
It is easier to embed youtube video than Instagram.
It is easier to embed youtube video than Instagram.
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