2012 Ram Electric Tail Gate Lock WORKING!

[H. John Kohl]

I have the locking toneau cover but had to lock my tailgate with a key. After reading about Carl's tail gate getting stolen I opted to install the Dodge solenoid in the tail gate.
Installation was easy, running the wires up front was not hard because I followed the Camera leads for the trailer. Wiring was easy once I properly identified the two wires I needed to splice too.

There is a good article about this on the Cummins forum.

The Dodge part number is Mopar Power Tailgate Lock Actuator (P/N 82211668-AB) Dodge RAM 1500. This works on my 2012 but the wiring code was different. The cummins forum helped identify the correct wires.

Love it when a plan comes together. Now the tail gate locks the same time the doors do.

[steves]

Nice job (as you normally do) but if a thief wants in your vehicle the lock won't stop them. Ask me how I know.

[H. John Kohl]

Steve,
Your are correct but it helps keep honest people honest and slow down those dishonest ones.
If nothing else a piece of mind.

[steves]

Yes.....they punched out my lock with a screw driver then with a bar unlocked the door mechanism. Cost me over $1,000 to have repairs done.

[Art-n-Marge]

If H. John's solenoid lock is like the aftermarket solenoid one like I got and installed on my Ford, then the thieves are gonna really have to mess up the door to get it unlocked. The solenoid actuates a rod that goes up against the mechanism to stop the mechanism from moving when you try and open the tailgate. Even if they punch out the lock, they will not be able to move the rod away from the door mechanism to unlock the tailgate because the rod prevents it from moving at all. I fear the damage from their frustration will probably be over $1,000 but at least I can say they couldn't EASILY steal my tailgate. I'm sure they'd make the damage so high I would have wished they did steal it.

I'm more nervous about the whole truck. It's no fun hearing the Ford F-250 is now a most sought out vehicle for auto theft (At least in Southern California). Especially if it's loaded with a tool box and construction stuff (more to fence). I now have a tool box (but it's mostly empty unless I am on the road, towing) and I don't carry much else. Chevy's, GMC's and Dodge's must be harder to steal.

[DQDick]

Another nice mod John!

[mobil]

I did that mod to my 2011. It won't stop the determined, but what will? It's nice knowing that when I use my remote to lock the truck the tailgate locks too. Ordered the parts online from a Ram dealer. It was all Mopar parts.