2025 Tundra Tailgate

Ok so is anyone going to figure out how to install the new 2025 power up and down tailgate on to a 2022 Tundra?

 

Toyota doesn’t usually produce backwards compatible items like that. They wouldn’t have included the hardware and software necessary to add on a feature that didn’t even come out until 2 years later. It would not be a simple plug and play thing what so ever.

 

That's what I was afraid of.

 

Why would you want a powered tailgate that's prone to failure? Tundras already have an assisted tailgate with shock absorber in the tail light. A child can open and close it.

 

People have been having lots of issues with them on both the Tundra and Tacoma facebook groups.

 

Oh I didn't realize that

 

Definitely more trouble than it would be worth. It feels gimmicky and not very refined. I don’t hate it, but there are times I would prefer not to have it.

 

I love mine, i had 2 50 lb bags of feed and my hands were full, used my knee and hit the tailgate button on the driver side tail light, magic!

 

I'm glad my truck doesn't have the fully automatic tailgate. Seems gimmicky and prone to failure.

But that opening button on the tail light sure comes in handy at times, especially if your hands are full.

 

I think the OP is taking about the fully auto tailgate that the '25s have on higher trim levels. It opens and closes handsfree.

 

Correct that’s how my limited is. Can and open and close it from the cab by hitting a button, it’s awesome. Or just click the button on the tailgate and it opens and closes on it own.

 

I'm glad you like it.

But, as others have mentioned, the new fully auto tailgates have had a high rate of failures, based on internet chatter.

Hope your's gives you years of trouble-free use.

 

That’s why I got a 10 year bumper to bumper haha, way to many electronics on these bad boys.

I wonder outta warrenty if it’s possible to retro fit the old style, I also saw where some guys had bad actuators causing the tailgate to stick or not open.

 

I hope Toyota or aftermarket comes out with a kit to retrofit a non powered tailgate, can't stand it. Been way more problematic than useful so far.

Mine is a 2025 Sr5 that came with it.
Has the key fob button, dash button, and tailgate button release, but not the taillight.

 

Picked up 24 bags of concrete on Saturday, one was slightly too far out the end of the bed, and when I closed the tail gate it came out of the slot and off of the pin. Was a PAIN to get aligned and back on in the Mendards lot!! 24 bags at 60 pounds per bag, little bed sag but no issues driving it to the house!

 

FYI, some guys use zip-ties, or hose clamps, around the slot/pin to prevent the tailgate from coming off.

 

25 limited, absolutely hate my tailgate. It’s very much gimmicky and far from practical long term. I’ve had the truck 3 weeks and want to tear the damn thing out. I have tried using the fob, taillight button and tailgate button and all 3 are inconsistent. If I have a chair in the back that’s even touching the tailgate the damn thing won’t come down and it beeps and sticks beeps and sticks until I’m forced to yank on it to force it open. Rather remove the motor and just have a shock assisted tailgate like my 14 that lasted 13 years with the original shocks.

 

The auto up sucks. I hate it.

Would way rather just have it dumped, because you CAN'T close it by hand unless something goes wrong. It's got a bunch of resistance from the motor and feels like it's going to break.

 

100% would retrofit the earlier tailgate, or just a dampened tailgate like my 2.5 gen had... Someone with access to the parts catalog has to be able to figure this out

 

Probably spitting in the wind here, but.....

Has anyone with a '25 actually looked at the mechanism?
Or seen the parts diagram/breakdown?

It's possible it could be a motorized strut (linear actuator) that takes the place of the '24 and older gas strut for the opening damping.

If it IS that simple (doubtful, knowing automotive engineers penchant for complexity) it would be an easy matter of bolting up the old style damping strut in place of the motorized one.

Strut on '24 and older is located behind D/S tail light.

*edit to add*
I use the open button on the tail light all the time and glad it's there, very handy.
But I'm glad I don't have the auto-up nonsense.

 

I'd take the massage seats over the powered close if I retro-fit anything on my truck.

 

Then, you might get a check engine light. It's integrated with sensors, so it might not be straightforward as we'd like.

 

Yep, good point.
Probably not a CEL, but some other annoying system warning of impending doom.

Another spitball:
Similar to removing the front air dam, keep the tailgate motor in the electronic loop, just mechanically disconnected. Let it think it's still operational.

 

Just a note for anyone. Ended up spraying the latches with a dry graphite lube. Tailgate sticks way less and is way less problematic now.

Next step will be attempting to adjust strikers if it starts to act up again.

Still rather not have it.

 

Now that's what I'm talking about. Someone needs to figure this out.

 

LOL you guys should have seen Nissans massive factory bonehead screwup.. Their electronic locking tailgates, they didn't lube tons of them at the factory, and people couldn't lock/unlock their tailgates. Bunch of pictures and videos of people taking apart their tailgates and finding zero lube. Mine included. Was a simple fix, and such a ridiculous omission at the factory.

 

Applied WD-40 over the weekend myself and has been working flawlessly so far. Will look into using higher quality grease long-term if that's the answer to the sticking.

 

WD40 is not a lubricant. You need to replace it sooner than later.

 

I disagree on point #1.
It's a lubricant, just a REALLY terrible lubricant.

 

It initially has lubricating properties, but it's a solvent and water displacement. They are careful with marketing and never claim it is a lubricant.