Manually open multifunction tailgate (Ram boxes)

[Aidan]

I have bought a full truck bed with ram boxes (2nd hand) and multifunction tailgate to swap onto mine - but it is locked.

Will get a locksmith for the ram boxes but the tailgate has no key barrel - fun.

Surely you can open these manually? I can access the tailgate from the inside.

 

[mikeru82]

Only way I know to open it is to provide power to the actuator or actuators. It's electrically operated, not mechanical like older tailgates. Maybe you can open the access panel and see if there's a way to manually open the tailgate. If you have a good relationship with your dealership you could talk to someone in the service department to pick their brain about it. Or maybe someone else here has messed with that. Best of luck with this, and please post back with what your solution is.

 

[DEG]

 

[mikeru82]

Great video for the standard tailgate. Will be a little more involved for the MFT because there are closeout panels and tailgate covers for both sides to remove, but the releases should operate the same.

 

[Aidan]

Thanks for the responses, I had a look at the video and did some looking at mine, however you can't access the actuators like they did - photo is from the inside of the tailgate with covers removed.

Might try the middle actuator to see if I can open it that way - just not sure if the sides need to be unlocked for that.

Failing, will attempt some kind of power supply.

1st one is just showing going into the cavity.

2nd is what's covering the actuator.

 

[Aidan]

So finally had a chance to look into this more over the holidays. I removed by current tailgate and bumper, reversed up to the new bed and connect to that tailgate wiring - sadly, did not open when trying the handle/key fob/roof switch in the cab. I also tried changing the multifunction tailgate setting via Alfa OBD but no luck. The pin configuration on the tailgate plug on the new bed is different to my current one, the plug from the vehicle has all wires connected so really unsure, suspect they need to modified or i need to replace that as well?

 

[Aidan]

In case anyone is following, I've done the bed swap now. All that's left is to fit an additional harness I made to get the ram boxes to open via central locking (not just a key).

In short, it is all plug and play besides the ram boxes for me - the main chassis harness doesn't have the wires for them (central locking and lighting).

One of my actuators was cooked. There is a manual release but the previous owner had snapped the plastics. I could electronically open all but one - the MFT system needs to detect the status of all them so you can't open the barn door and drop gate at the same time.

Been a journey, gonna load up everything I did to do the swap on another thread - hopefully before Christmas but will depend when I get time etc.