I've done some research and I've decided to install an electric tailgate lock. I have a key-type Pop & Lock right now and it looks like it would be easy to force it open. The electric locks appear to be more secure than the key-type locks.


I have found about 3 different electric tailgate lock manufacturers:


Dyno Products, PowerGate and Pop & Lock


All of them appear to have good lock motors, stainless steel construction and no-drill installations. Does anyone have a preference or know which one is best?


Thanks!

i have the pop and lock, i imagine they are probably all the manufactured by the same company.


They are a pain to install on a ext cab because you have to go into the door to get power for the lock. If you had a crew cab it would be much, much easier.

Thanks. I'm probably going to look for the power for the lock somehere under the dash. It shouldn't be that hard to find the wires in the harness as they exit the door through the door jamb and enter the cab. I have a set of '03 Helms manuals. Do you know if the wiring diags are the same between '03 and '04?

03 and 04 are the same in regards to the door locks. Sorry, there isn't going to be any wires under the dash. They just aren't there due to gm's new data bus system. All the door lock motor wiring is done within the door from the door module to the door lock. With a crew cab there are 2 relays (for the back doors) that allow you to do what you want to do but not with an extended cab. You will have no choice but to go into the door.


I guess one other option would be to add the relays and wiring from the pcm and have the pcm reflashed to crew cab specs. But I would think that would be far more work then it's worth.

I installed one on my '02. If I remember correctly I hooked my wires up on the passenger side compartment of the dash. The wires there are for the door locks. Took me about two hours to hook up and run the wires through a loom and follow the frame rail to the front.

Yes, an 01 and 02 is completely different then an 03 and 04. On an 02 you can get the door lock wires in side the cab. 03 and 04 you can not.

I have the Pop & Lock electric version. I just went up into the cab and into the driver's door (a breeze).

03 and 04 are the same in regards to the door locks. Sorry, there isn't going to be any wires under the dash. They just aren't there due to gm's new data bus system. All the door lock motor wiring is done within the door from the door module to the door lock. With a crew cab there are 2 relays (for the back doors) that allow you to do what you want to do but not with an extended cab. You will have no choice but to go into the door.


I guess one other option would be to add the relays and wiring from the pcm and have the pcm reflashed to crew cab specs. But I would think that would be far more work then it's worth.





The data buss configuration makes it more of a challenge. I just don't like the idea of prying off the door panel, then having to disturb the waterproofing material in the door to get to the door lock motor connections. Are the door modules expensive? It would be cool if it were possible to put a door module in the tailgate and run the data buss connection to it since the data buss connection would be accessable under the dash.


Where do the relays in the CC rear doors draw their power? Directly from the PCM?

There is a negative pulse sent to activate each relay from the BCM. Off hand I don't know where the relays get their power but its not really relevant. You would need to add relays to these negative pulses to activate the lock.


By far the easiest, cheapest solution would be to go into the door. There are probably other ways you could make it work but they could end up costing you hundreds of dollars.

There is a chance that the BCM sends out those negative pulses even though there are only 2 doors. It wouldn't be hard to wire up 2 relays to run your locks. However if the wiring isn't present you might have a hard time finding pins for the BCM. I don't have a Ext cab around to do any testing.

I bought a pop & lock for my 04 HD and have yet to install it. Looks kinda cheap and this Powergate looks MUCH better. Just how hard would it be for me to install? Do I have to pry off the door covers then run a wire all the way back to the tailgate? Plus, how would having a CC make the installation much easier?

With the crew cab there is relays for the rear doors in the drivers side fuse panel. So you don't have to go into the doors to get the required wires.

Pace Edwards also makes a electric power tailgate lock I have one that I was going to put on my truck but decided not to. It is NIB and the part # LK-270 $ 60.00.


Mark

Dura Mike,
which one did you decide on? I'm also looking at the power tailgate locks and would be interested in which is best. The PE seems to have 1 mounting hole, while the Dynalock has 3. Not sure of any other differences.

thanks

There are no pulses for the CC relays on the Standard & Ext Cabs. The St & EC use a different BCM than the CC. I pulled up the schematic for a CC on Mitchel and figured I'd add pins, like a couple other mods. Low and behold the BCM is one connector short on the EC. Looked up the part numbers and they are different.

I figured it out my plan, just haven't found the time. I have the alarm/remote start waiting to go in. Got the data bus module so the alarm will control the doors and factory security. I'm just adding a PW lock module (or you can use 2 relays) and the alarm will also control lock relays driving the tailgate lock.

If you go in door route, no sweat. The panel comes right off, the plastic peals off and sticks right back on. While you're in there upgrade your door handles.

I would like to know which electric lock is the best quality and why. Thanks.

Anyone? I'm in the same boat, local shop may be ordering the P/E Powergate, but would like to know if it's worth it first.

I just pulled off info on all 3 power tailgate locks (DynoLock, P/E Powergate, and PnL). They all seem to have similar features; stainless steel, no drilling install (or very limited), wiring into door panel (see earlier message in this thread about wiring to fuse block), etc. But here's a few differences I've noted:
PE PowerGate - offers a "new, upgraded push-pull actuator that offers better gearing and longer life."
DynoLock - offers a high security actuator (though doesnt explain exactly what this is), and a $2K theft protect plan. They also seem to have the best install instructions, including pics of getting into the door panel.
PopnLock - says it is "now produced with a tamperproof proprietary interlock that cannot be reset by hand - a crucial security feature for GM and Dodge trucks that have an easily removealbe tailgate handle trim piece."

Based on the interlock feature, the PnL seems to be the winner to me. Any thoughts?

None of them can be real secure unless they are covering the rods. You could always diconnect the rods and pull them to open the tailgate.