First of all you need an alarm with a wire you can identify that sets off the
alarm when grounded. My 2006 Tacoma came with a 'Gulf States' Security update.
Besides a glass break sensor, I believe the the upgrade added a hood protection
switch too. This is the switch that I tapped into:
This mod just adds a second pin switch / alarm switch onto the same circuit that
the hood switch is on. If EITHER swich becomes grounded ( opens ) the alarm circuit
will trigger.
I bought a "Self Grounding Door Jamb Switch" ( Conduct Tite part# 85932 ) from
Pepboys. I also bought a standard, single throw, 2 pole switch from my local
electronics store. This switch can be used to disable the tailgate alarm. If the
switch is in the 'off' position, the circuit is broken and the pin switch will
never be grounded and set off the alarm. You'd want to do this if you are driving
with your tailgate down or off...
Here are the parts you need: Pin Switch, by-pass switch, nut, bullet connector
and a wire splice adapter. You'll also need 15-20 feet or so of wire.
Start by removing the drivers side tail light assembly. You'll need a 10mm
socket to remove the two bolts ( top and bottom ) that hold in the tail light.
Once the bolts are removed, pull backwards on the tail light and it will come
out. It's held in place by friction. Disconnect the tail light and put it in a
safe place.
Depending on the size of the pin switch you used, drill a hole about an inch
above the bump stop on the tail gate and install the pin switch.
I mounted my by-pass switch in my driver side storage box. I ran a wire from
the pin switch to the by-pass switch and from the by-pass switch to the engine
compartment along the bottom of the frame. Here is a picture of the switch
wired before I installed it in the storage box.
I used my splice adapter to tap into the hood pin alarm inside the engine
compartment.
I zip tied the alarm wire to the frame in several places, re-attached the
tail light and it's good to go.
I verified the operation of the pin switch and the by-pass switch before
I put everything back together.
jack
Linear Mode
