Best locking tailgate handle for '07 Taco

Looking to buy and install a locking tailgate handle for a 2007 Taco. Any recommendations? How difficult is it to install? Is it worth to add a power lock / backup camera?

 

Seems the only thing I can find is the Pop & Lock PAL8540. Reviews seem mixed...quality a bit suspect, locking mechanism loud...

Found it for about $137 + free shipping on Amazon and Carid price matched it...

Now, I'm looking for a camera and some kind of monitor (rear view mirror or new radio with display screen...).

But the first step is finding a camera that is compatible...Seems like all the ones I see are already integrated into a non-locking tailgate handle.

If you (or anyone else) has any suggestions, please...I'm all ears!

 

Are you looking to keep people out or so it dose not get stolen? If you are looking to keep people out. Then the pop lock is fine. But if you are looking to not get stolen. I would not just get that. I work at Toyota and seen people with this get it stolen. I would get a hing lock.

 

I'm just looking to lock our tailgate to secure contents in bed/camper shell. How can people steal the tailgate if it is locked?

 

Anything can be stolen if someone wants it enough..... crowbar, pick the lock, hammer.

 

Pop & Lock

 

True dat. So, you are talking about having back-up security for the tailgate in addition to the tailgate handle lock mechanism?

 

Went to a local stereo install place...looked at head units, cameras, rear view mirror video screens...

I mentioned that I was wary of the Pop and Lock power door latch due to reviews that mention marginal quality and loudness...

This guy (Juan) suggested the possibility of using a door actuator that he installs on doors...he's going to look into it and see if it will work on the original tailgate handle...only problem is that there won't be any manual locking mechanism in case of battery/actuator failure...

I can report back to this thread with what he finds out...

 

Check out you tube videos on the pop n locks actuators. They seem very easy to install. If your able
to I would install myself. I put a double din Kenwood radio with back up camera on my 06 Tacoma
and it was easy and saved me 2-3 hundred in install fee.

 

PL-8521 Electronic lock. Keep the oem handle.

 

Thanks, Brooky816, I did check out the youtube videos (and others)...til my eyes were tired at 2:30 this morning and I couldn't takes it no more...

I'm just wary of the pop n lock product based on the reviews...I do believe I could install it though...and the double din HU...looked at videos on that install as well...

Basically, after going over options with Juan at the local install joint...new nice Pioneer HU & camera @ ~$700 installed ((~$450 for HU, + ~$100 for camera (that wasn't so great at night) + some kind of wiring harness ~$100 + double din faceplate ~$60)), we are looking at north of $700 installed...w/o the pop & lock...@ $137...

Juan didn't know if I needed the more expensive HU wiring harness (~$100) or the less expensive one (~$16)...

It all seemed to get pricey real fast with the HU...which was very nice...and if I had the $ I'd do it cause it has bluetooth, SiriusXM compatibility (SiriusXM plug-in module ~$90 w/ 2-3 months free service....add that to the total...), 7 inch screen, nice graphics, DVD/CD player...camera plug in, etc...

But, after sticker shock, I had to come back to priorities:

1. Locking tailgate
2. Rearview camera

So, I started looking at the rearview mirror monitor/camera combo @ $220 installed and just adding an actuator to existing tailgate handle $120 installed w/ new key fob that has separate button for "trunk" which I'm thinking could be wired to the Leer shell window and the tailgate... So, $340 to get me where I need to be...rather than ~$900....Sure would love the new HU though...very sweet.

 

Found it. Thanks.

$122 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma, Fits Models 2005 to 2015 (PL8521)

https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Lock-PL8521-Tailgate-Toyota/dp/B00439Q05S

 

have heard really good things about the dynolock, i have no experience with them though
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dynolock-automatic-tailgate-lock-product-review.272949/

 

Nice. Thanks for the link. Read through it very fast. Will go back through it a bit later after I meditate. Brain fried...

Solid write-up...didn't know that option existed. Felt held hostage by pop n lock...

 

Is it loud like reviews say the

$210 PL8540 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Smart Lock Combo with Bolt Technology for Toyota Tacoma, Fits 2005 to 2015 Models (OEM Color Black, PL8540)

PL8540 is?

 

The newer pop n locks are suppose to be more durable. As for the noise they do make a noise
A little bit louder than your door locks.

 

It does make noise, but its not any louder than the beep the truck makes when you lock it.

 

I had a dynolock on a seperate vehicle before. Its quite similar to the pop n lock. Couldnt say which is better. I can say ive had the pop n lock PL-8521 for about 3 years now with no issues at all.

 

Dynolock link: https://usatruck.net/dynolock-tailgate-lock.html

 

Our Gate Defender is what we like to call your insurance policy to your tailgate security. Even if you have a lock on your tailgate but then forget to lock it, someone can steel your tailgate in less than 20 sec and then you are looking at a $1000+ replacement for a new one. We've heard about some costing upwards of $6000 due to extra electronics and accessories they had done to it.