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Outback Tailgater w/ Switch Plate

mortimer

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I've always liked the fit and finish of Outback Adventure's Tailgater, and thought the tailgate area on the right side of the back-panel would make a good location for a switch plate.

I started with the Tailgater from https://outbackadventureproducts.com/

Added a switch plate and USB outlet from Amazon and custom switches from Rocker Switch Pros.
Here's how I cut in the switches and the finished Tailgater mounted:
20190428_162237786_iOS.jpg
20190428_170219177_iOS.jpg
20190428_170231769_iOS.jpg
20190428_170333563_iOS.jpg


Here's the schematic I worked to:
switchbank.jpg

Wiring this way:
  • Turns on both the factory backup lights *and* the Rigid Ignites when I turn on Aux 2
  • Turns on both the factory backup lights *and* the Rigid Ignites when I turn on the "rear lights" from the tailgate switch panel
  • Turns on both Rigid Ignites when the reverse lights are on
  • Turns on only the right Rigid when the right backup light is on and only the left Rigid light when the left backup light is on

Here's how I did the wiring to the Aux switches:
While I was adding a wireless charging mount for my cell phone (https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/wireless-cellphone-charger.30106/), I wired in the feed from the Aux Switches to the tailgate switch plate at the same time.
20190505_160435105_iOS.jpg


I used the following color codes:
auxswitches.jpg


I ran a wire to power the switch plate (Aux 1), a wire for the Rigid Ignites (Aux 2), and a spare "home run" wire. The three wires were rung through a cable sheath from the Aux switches, along the passenger side of the Jeep, and then to the rear panel by the subwoofer. I then ran the wires I needed through the existing tailgate conduit.
20190601_220205641_iOS.jpg


After running the new wires through the tailgate conduit, I cleaned things up a bit:
20190602_165728883_iOS.jpg


And then ran the wires out to where the switch plate would be.
20190601_222233143_iOS.jpg


Here's how I wired the switch plate switches:
20190428_160355139_iOS.jpg

20190428_160403849_iOS.jpg

20190602_201849950_iOS.jpg



I fastened the Outback Tailgater to the tailgate, and "I" cleaned it up.
20190602_202826364_iOS.jpg


This is what things looked like when finished:
20190602_212647235_iOS.jpg
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JL1LE

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Very nice! Well executed.
 

BullMoose1776

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I've always liked the fit and finish of Outback Adventure's Tailgater, and thought the tailgate area on the right side of the back-panel would make a good location for a switch plate.

I started with the Tailgater from https://outbackadventureproducts.com/

Added a switch plate and USB outlet from Amazon and custom switches from Rocker Switch Pros.
Here's how I cut in the switches and the finished Tailgater mounted:
20190428_162237786_iOS.jpg
20190428_170219177_iOS.jpg
20190428_170231769_iOS.jpg
20190428_170333563_iOS.jpg


Here's the schematic I worked to:
switchbank.jpg

Wiring this way:
  • Turns on both the factory backup lights *and* the Rigid Ignites when I turn on Aux 2
  • Turns on both the factory backup lights *and* the Rigid Ignites when I turn on the "rear lights" from the tailgate switch panel
  • Turns on both Rigid Ignites when the reverse lights are on
  • Turns on only the right Rigid when the right backup light is on and only the left Rigid light when the left backup light is on

Here's how I did the wiring to the Aux switches:
While I was adding a wireless charging mount for my cell phone (https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/wireless-cellphone-charger.30106/), I wired in the feed from the Aux Switches to the tailgate switch plate at the same time.
20190505_160435105_iOS.jpg


I used the following color codes:
auxswitches.jpg


I ran a wire to power the switch plate (Aux 1), a wire for the Rigid Ignites (Aux 2), and a spare "home run" wire. The three wires were rung through a cable sheath from the Aux switches, along the passenger side of the Jeep, and then to the rear panel by the subwoofer. I then ran the wires I needed through the existing tailgate conduit.
20190601_220205641_iOS.jpg


After running the new wires through the tailgate conduit, I cleaned things up a bit:
20190602_165728883_iOS.jpg


And then ran the wires out to where the switch plate would be.
20190601_222233143_iOS.jpg


Here's how I wired the switch plate switches:
20190428_160355139_iOS.jpg

20190428_160403849_iOS.jpg

20190602_201849950_iOS.jpg



I fastened the Outback Tailgater to the tailgate, and "I" cleaned it up.
20190602_202826364_iOS.jpg


This is what things looked like when finished:
20190602_212647235_iOS.jpg
Ok, this is awesome. Also would like to know about that ham radio and what you did a out an antenna and antenna mount.
 

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mortimer

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bgrex

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Fantastic plan, Mortimer. Super clean, better-than-factory look! Is there a separate thread with more detail on your water pump install?
 

Akbill

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nice write up. The wiring diagram seems oversimplified with the rigid lights and factory lights sharing the same circuit.
ditto that on water pump
 

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Dkretden

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@mortimer

I am utterly amazed at the talent so many people, including you, on this Board have. This is a brilliant mod, perfectly executed. You should get with the outback folks and see if they want to market it (paying you the appropriate royalty of course) As an “add on” option for their product.
 

MILT

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Agree. I would buy this as an add on for my table
 

DanFelix

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Excellent work. Does the mod change the air flow through the vent in the gate? Thanks.
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