Anyone interested in Disabling their tailgate button release on the Key Fob?

I have read on here (can't find the thread where I read it) that several members have had their tailgate unexpectedly open on them and then their garage door did number on their tailgate because low and behold the fob in their pocket opened their tailgate (one member said this happened the very first day they had their truck). Well the other night I had my key in my front pocket bent over to get something then the Toyota app was like hey dummy your tailgate opened unexpectedly..a little color left my face and was like oh crap did I park as close as I normally do to my brick wall....thankfully ran outside my house and no I didn't and no damage. But now I'm paranoid so looking at the AJT design key fobs that look like they offer some decent protection to the FOB I reached out today to see if it was possible to get a case that simply doesn't have that button cut out (poor photo shop below). Anyone else interested in a case like that? I'll report back what I hear from AJT on if that is possible.
https://www.ajtdesign-llc.com/online-store/IF020-2022-Tundra-c133985592

 

Yes. I have had the tailgate deploy a couple of times with my camper hooked up, and it came down on top of the hitch. Fortunately no damage, but a crappy deal nonetheless.

 

It's a tight fit in the garage with the Tundra, about 6" space front and rear with the door closed. I disabled the tailgate release via remote for this very reason in the first week I had the truck using Techstream. You can disable the setting using Techstream or Carista. Your dealer should also be able to disable it for you if you ask. The different possible settings are listed on page 570 of the owners manual.

 

Damn I just canceled my Carista Trial last week..Don't remember seeing that in the options, so maybe I missed it. Might just have to swing by the dealership and see. Did the dealership you took it to charge you anything to disable that setting in Techstream?

 

I didn't take it to the dealer, I did it myself using Techstream I have installed on a spare laptop.

 

Can you open up the FOB and put a piece of tape between the button and it's contacts?

 

I doubt it. Most fobs use either membrane type buttons or some sort of surface mount button that you would not be able to interrupt.

 

Maybe the fob without the gate button will fit it. Then the button is hidden underneath?

 

Dang, now I'm scared. I always park very close to my garage door cause I have to. If this happens, I will be pissed. I am interested if AJT makes one.

 

well i went and yanked my key apart, so it looks like they are micro switches in the keyfob, not like other makes where the rubber membrane makes the electrical contact across two pads.

if you don't have a techstream, or dealer wants to charge or whatever

looks like you could A. cut the little nubbin off the back of the button to where it wont make contact with the switch. or B. remove the switch button entirely by pressing the lttle tabs on the back side







watched the AJT video, theirs is made in similar way, could cut the nub off the button, maybe see if they will sell an extra gate button and be able to swap back if need be

 

Just a general comment that the remote tailgate release and close and the electric
Button replacing the latch is one of the most irritating trends in modern half tons. People hit them on the fob by mistake, actuators go out and lock you out of your bed if you have a cover or in the case of the F150s they pop open on their own.

Go back to a latch and use that savings to give me something useful.

 

I was going down the Hwy and when pulling into the drive, the dash had the tail gate open. I took the truck to the dealer to have the remote option disabled. I mentioned this is a a safety issue. No Charge... What a stupid feature that risks an accident if items fall out on the road.

 

I totally agree.....like why would I ever want to open the tail gate with my key fob??? like seriously what situation could arise that I need to use the remote to open the tailgate? There is the damn button on the taillight (that has come in handy when your arms are full) and man o man its sooooo hard to reach for a button on the tailgate right? I kind of get it on a car with a trunk sure why not it raises up and can't damage its self or the things around it, but on a tailgate that can hit the car behind you... or the wall you park next to...or your garage door....Who ever made that decision at Toyota didn't fully think that through. Its that age old science saying of just because you can it doesn't mean you should. Never did hear back from AJT Design, so next time I'm near the dealer going to stop in to see if they turn that off hopefully for free. Seeing how I don't' have my second key anyway, I wonder if its possible to program a two button remote (hopefully cheaper too?). Bonus would be a second key fob and also just altogether remove the feature.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with you that I see no use for a tailgate button on the key fob. That said, you do realize that not all 3rd Gens have a tailgate release button in the tail light, right? So I guess I can see the use for some people, just not me (and I don’t have a button in the tail light).

 

Carista does not have the option to disable this.

 

i have not seen/used carista, is there any options for wireless door lock control system?

 

All toy needs to do is make the release a 3 button sequence release. Similarly to starting a car

 

fkn got me. Working on dishwasher and tailgate button got pressed. Dropped right into garage handle making a scratch. Happened a second time driving down the road. Thankfully nothing fell out of the bed. I've had my dog box strapped against the tailgate. Hate to think of what could have happened. Going to have dealer disable. Had the truck six months and it happened twice in one week.

 

Product developer/Engineer at Toyota.......Hey people like these on Mini Vans people will definitely want that on a truck right??????? guys right??

I have no clue what the hell they were thinking. Seriously this tailgate that can damage its self and the cars around it lets make it to where you can open it without being anywhere near it. Absolute BS that made it all the way through product R&D, literally can't think of a single situation where you would need to open it with your fob. Maybe if they didn't put that extra button on there maybe I could have got 2 keys???? That sucks man and if something happened to a pup there would be hell to pay, I too am going to go to the dealer to have it disabled and never heard back from AJT designs if this was possible. Think I heard there was some Toyota big wig that was adamant about it being on the fob.....guessing many people tried to convince him otherwise but he knew better.....

 

Thanks for the heads up. Will be taking the truck to the dealership to disable this.

 

As others mentioned, just disable it with Techstream or Carista. Inexpensive and very easy to do with Carista. I have a VW Atlas that gets parked in the garage and did the same to it. Can't have that hatch accidentally opening up against the wall, or my tailgate dropping into the wall....

 

Have you tried their BETA? There are quite a few additional features. It's been a while since I messed around with the Tundra settings, but i'm pretty sure I had disabled the tailgate open via remote using their beta and not Techstream.

 

So strange that the vehicle allows the remote button to open the tailgate while the vehicle is in drive…

Aside from releasing a trunk monkey, I’m having trouble imagining a scenario where I would need the remote to open the tailgate (especially now that there is a “arms full” tail light button).

But name me a scenario where you need the keyfob to open the tailgate while the vehicle is in drive… if that is even possible, it seems like an oversight on Toyotas part.

+1 vote for the AJT button delete or having the dealer disable it.

 

Holy flashback. Trunk monkey theft retrieval edition (first one) is the best. The aliens one is also spectacular.

 

The latest beta is not compatible with the 3rd gen Tundra. Wouldn't let me connect to the Carista device. Had to uninstall.

 

I’ll try it on my platinum which is a recent build next time
I go out

 

Ok I just tried it out and the fob will not open the tailgate while driving or anything until it’s in park, not even stopped with foot on brake while I’m drive

so I’m not seeing an issue here?

 

Still an issue if its in the garage and accidentally triggered and tailgate falls into a wall or garage door while parked (which is why I disabled mine the first week I had it). But yeah, I was skeptical about it opening while moving and it seems to be fake news.

 

I solved the garage deal with a foam strip on the door, so I’m good

I’m was more concerned with my son hitting the tailgate light switch lol, so I headed him off

love that taillight button, they had their thinking cap on with that one!!

But yes, fake news on it coming open on the road, won’t happen

 

Hopefully you notice its open before you hit the garage door opener. Can't wait to have the dealer turn the key fob off. I second the tailgate button in the taillight that is actually a pretty great idea that I have used several times when carrying tools to the back of the pickup.