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5th gen to 4th gen tailgate swap

Longman1

Longman1

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I have a base model 2012 2500 with no factory tailgate electrical. I just put on a 2023 bed from a Bighorn 2500 after a rear end accident. I am currently using the manual release latches inside the tailgate to open it. 1st priority, is there a way to make the electric release button work? 2nd priority and not as important, is there a way to make the remote lock and unlock function work, maybe by linking it to one of the back doors? The Retro Shop hooked me up for the lighting. You can see the bed swap on my Mercenary Construction YouTube channel.
 
I can’t help with the electric release in general, but I can tell you the new tailgates don’t have a “lock” and “unlock”. In simple terms, when you press the button it asks the computer if it’s supposed to be unlocked and if the computer says yes then the tailgate opens. If the computer says no then it doesn’t.
 
In my 2020 the button in the handle supplies a ground signal to the BCM. The BCM decides if things are locked or not and then sends a voltage to the two release mechanisms. Only questions are is the BCM function in the 2012 the same and are the wires there? You could make it work with your own switch and wiring but may not have locking or remote open.
You could install a momentary switch in the cab for locking but that might be a pita for other times.
 
Not the most elegant way. But running a 12+ and a ground to the tailgate would at least allow you to open it with the switch in the tailgate handle. You can tap into the trailer 7 pin connection wiring for both. One of the widely available taps from Reese or Hopkins would eliminate the need to cut into the existing wiring.

Watched your videos. Nice work.
 
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It can be tied in to the 2013-18 BCM and work properly i know for a fact but im not 100% sure if the 10-12 can do it aswell if/ when jimmy chimes in you will have the answer on how to properly do it
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
It can be tied in to the 2013-18 BCM and work properly i know for a fact but im not 100% sure if the 10-12 can do it aswell if/ when jimmy chimes in you will have the answer on how to properly do it
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Thanks. I hear a lot about Jimmy. Sounds like he's the man.
 
CdnHO said:
Not the most elegant way. But running a 12+ and a ground to the tailgate would at least allow you to open it with the switch in the tailgate handle. You can tap into the trailer 7 pin connection wiring for both. One of the widely available taps from Reese or Hopkins would eliminate the need to cut into the existing wiring.

Watched your videos. Nice work.
Click to expand...
I'm already using a Retro Shop tap for the LED tail lights so it might get crowded adding another but soldering a splice is easy. I'll jut have to find the wiring harness diagram for the tailgate. Having a working latch is the biggest part. Lock and unlock would be a bonus. I think I'll move my license plate camera up there as well since there's a hole for it and that would give me a better field of view for the trailer hitch. Thanks for looking up my channel.
 
Longman1 said:
I have a base model 2012 2500 with no factory tailgate electrical. I just put on a 2023 bed from a Bighorn 2500 after a rear end accident. I am currently using the manual release latches inside the tailgate to open it. 1st priority, is there a way to make the electric release button work? 2nd priority and not as important, is there a way to make the remote lock and unlock function work, maybe by linking it to one of the back doors? The Retro Shop hooked me up for the lighting. You can see the bed swap on my Mercenary Construction YouTube channel.
Click to expand...
You’re gonna have to use straight up power, ground, and relay on the tailgate switch and latches on your truck. The tailgate switch and latch release circuits don’t exist on your TIPM (2012’s version of BCM). You won’t have a way to “lock/unlock” the handle switch.
 
Jimmy07 said:
You’re gonna have to use straight up power, ground, and relay on the tailgate switch and latches on your truck. The tailgate switch and latch release circuits don’t exist on your TIPM (2012’s version of BCM). You won’t have a way to “lock/unlock” the handle switch.
Click to expand...
Can you show a diagram of the latch harness so I know which wire is for what?
 
superjoe83 said:
Here is a diagram of the tailgate release circuit
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Thank you. Let me provide some pics to help clarify. Trying to figure out how to open these latches on a truck bed that is removed. Notice that there are no manual releases like other model latches. Its as is the manual release has been removed but looking at replacement latches from Mopar, they also do not show a manual release. So figured I could provide direct power and ground to the appropriate wires on the connector. The wire harness coming out of the latch has 4 wires. Black, white, blue, and brown. The connector it attaches to going to the handle switch has black, purple, tan/yellow, and black. So not sure which wires to provide ground and power to get them opened.image_67152897.JPGimage_67152897.JPGimage_67168001.JPGimage_67197441.JPGimage_67167233 (1).JPG
 
It looks like the blue wire would be positive and the brown wire next to it would be the ground for the latch motors.
What year truck is the tailgate from?
 
Jimmy07 said:
You’re gonna have to use straight up power, ground, and relay on the tailgate switch and latches on your truck. The tailgate switch and latch release circuits don’t exist on your TIPM (2012’s version of BCM). You won’t have a way to “lock/unlock” the handle switch.
Click to expand...
Hello Jimmy. I have a 2014 Tradesman 3500 that I've put a new bed on. Can I wire the bed into my existing system? I only need the gate to open from the handle. Thank you!
 
Wes2014 said:
Hello Jimmy. I have a 2014 Tradesman 3500 that I've put a new bed on. Can I wire the bed into my existing system? I only need the gate to open from the handle. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Did you end up getting it figured out? I’m currently trying to wire the tailgate into my existing system on my 2015 tradesman
 
Also am attempting to release the latches on a 2024 tailgate of which has no manual levers.

I tried putting 12v across the Blue +, Brown - wires although didnt seem to release. Maybe will try again reversing the polarity to see if that does it. Reviving this thread in hopes of clarity!
 
Update, upon trying again, Blue +12v, Brown Ground. Applied 12v via battery and latches did open.
 
2013 solution to 5th gen tailgate on pre '16 trucks

First, I must give a huge thanks to @Jimmy07 for his additions. The tailgate modifications he gave are spot on but stop there if you are working on a truck older than 2016. The difference is in the body control module for the older trucks. My solution maintains the factory tailgate switch and only allows the tailgate to open when the doors are unlocked. My truck has Ram boxes which share the circuit, so it requires running new wires to the tailgate to separating from the Ram boxes. There will be 6 wires to connect. Two from the BCM, two to the tailgate, two for +/- 12v. The picture of my relay module all wired up is…well not the prettiest. It’s my prototype
1734713791158.png

Steps:

Follow @Jimmy07 instructions to modify the tailgate

Without Ram Boxes

Cut the C5 pin 41 and 42 wires near the BCM and extend them a foot or so to be able to add a plug and for ease of access. I used an AMP 6 pin connector I had on hand. You don’t have to add a connector, it was handy for me because it took several iterations to get everything working correctly.

Bring in battery power and ground. I added an inline fuse to my wire and connected at the power distribution center.

Connect magnetic latching relay to the lock and unlock circuit which will turn on and off the power. Terminal 1 connects to unlock, terminal 2 to lock, +12V to terminal 3, terminal 5 connects to Relay module DC+
V23136-L31-D642, 12VDC Automotive Mini-ISO Magnetic Latching Relay 4Pins

Connect Relay Module as shown in the wiring diagram. DC- connects to ground, IN connects to the tailgate switch, COM connects to +12V, NO connects to the tailgate actuators, Set the trigger level to L

HUAREW 1-Channel 12V Relay Module with optocoupler Isolation Supports high and Low Level triggering

With Ram Boxes

  • Do Not Cut the C5 pin 41 and 42 wires near the BCM. Instead connect a foot or so of wire to each, keep them labeled. Connect to the latching relay as per step 4 above.
  • Run two wires from the cab to the tailgate. Back by the spare tire you need to cut the wires DG/TN and LG/TN and insulate the forward side. Connect the tailgate side to the two new wires. This separates the Ram Boxes.
  • Follow step 7 above.


1734713828496.png



Best of luck,
Scott
 

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