[Yukon4Runner]

Hello all,

I’m getting ready to replace the tailgate on my 2001 SR5.

Before I start poking around the local scrapyards, I wanted to make sure that a tailgate from any 3rd gen (1996-2002) would be compatible.

Thanks in advance.

[phattyduck]

Mechanically compatible, yes. If you don't want to swap the hatch internals, you should get a '99+ hatch.

-Charlie

[Doc2012]

Still have to swap internals.


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[Yukon4Runner]

Could you provide additional details?

I recently watched a video of a tailgate swap and no internals were swapped.

Do you mean, the internals need to be swapped if the window motor, plate lights or defrost on the replacement tailgate is not functioning?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Doc2012

Still have to swap internals.


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[Hepar]

Originally Posted by Yukon4Runner

Could you provide additional details?

I recently watched a video of a tailgate swap and no internals were swapped.

Do you mean, the internals need to be swapped if the window motor, plate lights or defrost on the replacement tailgate is not functioning?

Thanks.

I vaguely remember something about the wiring harnesses being different, but don't quote me on that.

[AntleredRuin]

+1 on the 99+ hatch. The 96-98 license plate bezel/window motor assembly is a bit different than the 99+.

[Tyler James Inc]

Originally Posted by Doc2012

Still have to swap internals.

Why?
I am with the majority here as well; get a complete '99+ hatch to make the swap easy.
I got a bare hatch when I replaced the hatch on my '97- after getting rear-ended. I had it painted, then swapped all the internals and wiring over. It really isn't too bad, but I would definitely try my best to get a complete hatch from the same year and color if I were to do it again.

[Riceye]

Originally Posted by Tyler James Inc

Why?

Does it possibly have to do with compatibility issues between the ECU in the donor hatch and the existing system?

*Edit - The lock cylinder will be different than others, also, requiring a switch.

[Doc2012]

Originally Posted by Yukon4Runner

Could you provide additional details?



I recently watched a video of a tailgate swap and no internals were swapped.



Do you mean, the internals need to be swapped if the window motor, plate lights or defrost on the replacement tailgate is not functioning?



Thanks.

Originally Posted by Tyler James Inc

Why?
I am with the majority here as well; get a complete '99+ hatch to make the swap easy.
I got a bare hatch when I replaced the hatch on my '97- after getting rear-ended. I had it painted, then swapped all the internals and wiring over. It really isn't too bad, but I would definitely try my best to get a complete hatch from the same year and color if I were to do it again.

1) the lock cylinder will be different.

2) the wiring harnesses are different.

I got 2 separate 99 hatches, one was a quick fix but had a massive dent in the side, the other was good, as in clean. No dents.

The harnesses were different, and when I would try to use my fob to lock and unlock the truck, it wouldn’t work. Neither would the window button.

The window worked when using the key, but not the buttons.

The harness I had going from the truck to the gate was the same, but the harness in the gate was missing a couple wires. Swapped the whole harness out and it was good to go.


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[19963.4lsr5]

I swapped our wrecked 96 rear hatch onto the 97 Limited puppy hauler. It was all plug and play except for rear key.

Breaking the rear headliner insert tee stalks to get to the harness plugs sucked.

Having a 6'3" 230lbs Sasquatch friend that can hold it while you do the wrenching makes it almost painless.


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[TheDurk]

Originally Posted by Doc2012

1) the lock cylinder will be different.

2) the wiring harnesses are different.

I got 2 separate 99 hatches, one was a quick fix but had a massive dent in the side, the other was good, as in clean. No dents.

The harnesses were different, and when I would try to use my fob to lock and unlock the truck, it wouldn’t work. Neither would the window button.

The window worked when using the key, but not the buttons.

The harness I had going from the truck to the gate was the same, but the harness in the gate was missing a couple wires. Swapped the whole harness out and it was good to go.

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I can't explain the different '99s. In general, the '99+ internals are different because Toyota moved to a single Multiplex wire for communication between the Body ECU in the front and the Back Door ECU to carry commands from the the front to the back, together with going to a stock keyless entry with the receiver in the Back Door ECU.

The earlier units did not have keyless entry from the factory and commands from the front used separate wires for each function. Thus the liftgate internals are wildly different, both harness and ECU.

[Tyler James Inc]

Originally Posted by Doc2012

1) the lock cylinder will be different.
2) the wiring harnesses are different.

Different from what?
I asked "why" because your first post was super vague, and implied he'll have to swap internals regardless of everything. Someone said stick to a '99+, and you said "you'll still have to swap internals".
A 2001 gate falls into the category of a '99+, and I'd bet that would be a plug and play swap if both rigs were equally equipped.

[octanejunkie]

Originally Posted by Tyler James Inc

Different from what?
I asked "why" because your first post was super vague, and implied he'll have to swap internals regardless of everything. Someone said stick to a '99+, and you said "you'll still have to swap internals".
A 2001 gate falls into the category of a '99+, and I'd bet that would be a plug and play swap if both rigs were equally equipped.

Lock cylinder will be different, requiring swapping from old to new to use your original key for all doors

[Doc2012]

Originally Posted by Tyler James Inc

Different from what?
I asked "why" because your first post was super vague, and implied he'll have to swap internals regardless of everything. Someone said stick to a '99+, and you said "you'll still have to swap internals".
A 2001 gate falls into the category of a '99+, and I'd bet that would be a plug and play swap if both rigs were equally equipped.

As I said the harness and lock cylinder are different.

Not 100% sure why the harness would be, but they are.

When I swapped my hatch, I had to swap out the harness to get everything to work right.

And there’s two harnesses. One from the truck, the other in the hatch itself.

The lock actuator or whatever it is that’s in the middle of the hatch had two wires coming from it to the main harness, where mine had three.

This was on two different hatches.

Whatever that single wire went to, it wouldn’t allow me to use my fob to lock and unlock the doors, or put my window down.

As far as the regulator and everything else, I BELIEVE they are the same, but don’t remember.


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[Yukon4Runner]

Ok, thank you all for the input.

The way I’m reading it is as follows:

To replace the tailgate on my 2001, if I find a ‘99+ replacement, I’ll only need to swap the lock cylinder so my key will work.

If I find a ‘96-‘98 tailgate, I’ll need to replace the lock cylinder and the wiring as it is incompatible.