2005-2015 Tacoma Tailgate Lock

OK so I attempted to install again today. It appears that there is not enough clearance between the tailgate sheet metal and the round hinge bucket. So in essence, the o.d. of the locking device is too large to fit on my truck. For reference I have a 2015. I still think its a great idea and product but you might need to reduce the outside dimension to allow for tighter fitments.

 

It doesn't appear that the rings are far enough over to the left, in my extremely limited viewpoint. Are they getting hung up on something? A weld perhaps? I ask, in part, because our trucks are a year apart and I don't think they changed tailgates in that time frame. Mine slid right on, but my rings went farther over, as I recall. Did you lube them?

 

Yes I did lube them and yes they are getting stuck between the sheet metal on the bottom and the hinge cup. So they can't move to the left anymore than that. So basically the thickness of the locking device is as thick or thicker than the gap it should slide between.

 

No joy. No joy. It does not fit my 2015, as well. And it's not close. There's a smoothed weld 'bulge' at the top of the tailgate cup; it's on both the left and the right cup.

 

Please remove the rubber and see if it fits if not send it back and we will send you one with a bigger inside diameter. Looks like there is some variability in the tailgate but it does fit the 2015. Please submit the return through the site.

https://sabellco.com/store/index.php?route=account/return/add

Sorry it did not fit, please go to the Web site and process the return. We will investigate the situation and see if we can make adjustments to the product. If you can provide closeup pictures that would be helpful.

 

I did remove the o-rings because it made my attempts to try to get it to fit easier, but it made no difference. I'll try to get pics and send it on its way.

 

If anyone with a 2015 Tacoma in the Torrance/Redondo Beach area would like to allow me to test fit one please PM me and we can meet up.

 

@scleaf Here are the pics, as requested. Don't know if the weld is the problem, or if the cup on the 2015s are shorter, or if the post is longer.

Two pics of the weld, followed by 2 pics of the lock in relation to the post on the bed:

 

I do have the same weld issue. I will need to return mine and get the bigger diameter one. Mine is a 15 Taco.

 

Exact same thing on my 2014. That spot weld will not let the device go far enough left to allow the tailgate on.

However, I dislike returning things. So I removed the hinge from the tailgate, installed the device on the cup, set the cup in the post, and then reinstalled the hinge back on the tailgate.

If someone tried to remove the security device screw, it still will not move far enough left to allow the tailgate to remove. Best security yet!

You do want to use the rubber o-rings, else the fitting is loose and will rattle.

Oh, and the GateKeeper will not fit over the device.

 

Thanks for the info. I thought about doing that, too. Now that I know that it has worked I may just follow suit.

 

sub'd

 

It took me about a half-hour to install on my 2015. The o-rings kept popping out until I applied some Finish Line wet lube (bicycle chain lube), then everything slid on fine. The only issue I had was tightening up the bolt in the limited space between the device and the bumper since all I had was a straight handle driver.

The color matches the MGM pretty well, but the finish looks a bit thin in places. Doesn't matter, it still looks good once installed.

 

Curious. Did your cup have the spot weld?

 

Yes, it does have the spot weld. I took a couple of pictures with it installed, but I don't know how to post them.

 

I guess the bead height is different based on who welded it, which robot. We can notch the back end where the weld is but in order to install it you would still have to move the forward section as far to the left as possible, at an angle to clear the hinge pin. See my pictures above.

So if you are having the issue, please go to the site and return it. We will update the product and get you a fresh one sent out to you. Not all are made the same. My weld is not as high and there is less material.

My appoligies

 

Some have more material.

 

Click the 'upload a file' button, and then select the file/image you wish to include.

 

They all have a weld there. I have it on my 2013.

The part must be angled to install.

We realize all trucks are not the same but there is a spec for the hinge. Tollerance is tight to put this on. We will look at the weld as there are different thicknesses of material. It might require us to modify the part to account for the additional weld material.

Thanks again for all the support and feedback. We will stand behind our product and make sure you get it to fit.

 

Indeed. On my truck, the weld on the left side is smaller than the one on the right.