K-5 Power Tailgate Conversion

[box3band]

I tried to search to see if anyone has posted about this exact topic in the past but could not find anything. I just got a sweet deal on a Power Tailgate for my 1985 K-5 and I want to swap it out for my POS manual tailgate. My only question is this: Does anyone know if GM already put the wiring harness on all the trucks and hid them somewhere when a manual tailgate came with the truck? In other words, is there a possibility that I already have the wiring harness for the power tailgate hidden somewhere near my tailgate that I need to find in order to hook this new power one up to it, or does anyone know of a place where I can get that specific wiring set up for it. I have tried looking everywhere online for it and cannot find it for the life of me. I am only hoping that GM used only one wiring harness for the back section and only used it when a power tailgate was factory installed. One I figure this wiring problem up, then I can just order the in-dash switch and I will have a sweet new tailgate set up.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Kyle

 

[JNygard]

Check driverside rear and see if there is an empty plug taped up there. I wouldn't think they would run two differant harnesses.

 

[AussieK5]

On my 79 the wiring for the tailgate passes through its own grommeted junction in the firewall then extends back along the chassis rail.

 

[JEBSR]

No such luck. I just went to the junk yard and got the factory switch with harness all the way to the gate, drilled a hole in the firewall and installed it. I didn't want to cut a hole in my dash so I mounted my switch beside the headlight switch. The harness will plug right into your fuse box on one of the exta ign spots.

 

[HarryH3]

The harness for the tailgate is indeed a standalone item. You'll need to get an entire harness from a donor rig to do an easy install.

 

[box3band]

Cool, I'll check this weekend to see if I have a harness hidden somewhere is the truck, if not I guess I will be taking a trip to the Pull'n'save and see what they have got.

You guys are awesome. Thanks to all who replied.