Best locking tailgate handle for '07 Taco

Latest communication from Pop & Lock Customer Service Representative (received today):

"I will be happy to help in any way possible. May I ask what forum you represent?

As for the camera itself we do not have a preferred brand that we can provide but the dimension of the hole is 1 inch by 1 inch.

We understand your concern about the sound of the lock but the sound is not a reflection of the quality of the product. It is an aluminum casing which amplifies the sound of the actuator. There are modifications on threads on forums but we do not have the ability to approve any of these modifications.

Lastly regarding the breaking handles, in the past year all of our handles have gone through some engineering upgrades including the changing the plastic to glass filled nylon and changing the metal work stainless steel. These upgrades have strengthened the handle and components.

I hope this helps and let me know if you need anything else,

Pop & Lock Customer Service Representative"
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Previous communications w/ Pop & Lock Customer Service Representative (below):
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Me:
Can you tell me which cameras are compatible with PAL8540?
Thank you.
_____________________________________________________
Pop & Lock Customer Service Representative:
Good morning,
We do not have any back up cameras in house to test nor do we have a list of brand names of cameras that are compatible but we have not heard of any particular one that hasn't.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience,
Pop & Lock Customer Service Representative
_____________________________________________________
Me:
Pop & Lock Customer Service Representative, thank you for your response.

We are participants on a Toyota forum where Toyota owners from all over the world share information about products. We will be sharing what we learn from you with that forum and appreciate your help.

Can you tell me the dimensions or specs of the size of camera that will fit your product, please?

I would like to make sure that whatever camera we buy fits your product. Thank you.

Also, does your company plan on coming out with a new version? Many reviews state how loud the lock is and that the handle has a propensity to break.

Thank you for your assistance.

 

Sharing this info for two reasons:

1. So I can throw the scrap of paper I wrote it on away, and
2. Maybe it will help someone down the line...

I spoke with and e-mailed Jim Haralson at USATruck.net regarding Dynolock. He was very nice and responsive to my questions.

Here is the extent of our e-mail exchange:

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am participant on various Toyota forums that share information worldwide between Tacoma owners.

Two types of aftermarket tailgate locks are generally recommended: Dynolock and Pop and Lock.

We are leaning towards purchasing the Dynolock for our 2007 Tacoma (due to the HSA feature and apparently superior quality), but are concerned by modifications that one Dynolock owner said were necessary. He performed his installation in 2012.

We have attached his instructions to this e-mail for your reference.

Has the Dynolock Tailgate Lock been redesigned since 2012 and / or are TomRnHT's recommendations still necessary?

Thank you for your help. We will share what we learn from you with the other forum members.

Best regards

_______________
Jim's response:

Thank you for your inquiry.

The Dynolock design is based on having an actual Toyota Tacoma tailgate lock and designing the lock function for it. The lock is designed to restrict the truck latch from rotating to the open position therefore blocking it from opening. If installed correctly, shutting the tailgate should not cause the Dynolock to loosen and move enough for the system to not function.
The Dynolock Tailgate lock for the Toyota Tacoma with the tailgate camera is probably the most popular lock sold, can only remember having one returned for being to difficult or required more ability than they wanted to tackle.
There are some individuals that seem to have the need to add their expertise to an item, lot of times their ideas are excellent, other times not so necessary but can be of value and appreciated.
Do not want to dismiss his experience on his installation, the feedback on the Dynolock for problems is almost nil.
The Dynolock tailgate lock continues to be of good quality and installs, and functions properly as designed. They have phased out the Chinese actuator and only offer the proven USA built actuator for their locks.

We appreciate your questions and quite sure you will be pleased with the performance of the Dynolock Electric Tailgate Lock on your Tacoma.

Jim
sales@usatruck.net

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Jim also added when I spoke with him by phone that one could add some loctite if they wanted, but didn't think it was necessary...
_______________________________________

 

Any finally...

I looked into OEM tailgate handles w/ a pop-out for cameras. Toyota P/N 69090-04020 says it's for '08-'16 Tacomas...

P/N 69090-04010 is for '05-'09... There is overlap in the years (which indicates to me that the handle will fit '05-'16) so I asked Toyota parts if the 04020 would fit our '07... They weren't sure, but had one in stock.

I went down and took a look at it and compared it to the Pop and Lock (manual Bolt key version) they had in stock. The handles look similar in terms of bolt placement and I took pictures of both side by side (just went to add the pic and realized I didn't take a picture of the back of the handles showing bolt placement! Thought I had done that.)... Well, anyway, bolt hole placements looks the same...



Young lady at Parts said they are a sponsor of TacomaWorld and if one goes to partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com they can get the part for about 25% off. So, regularly $100.79 marked down to $73.93 for OEM handle w/ camera pop-out (without actuator).

Here's the link:

http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com/oe-toyota/6909004020

 

Does Pop and Lock lock and unlock the tailgate each time you press your fob to open the drivers door or wired in such a way so that it requires two clicks like you were opening the passenger door ?

 

It depends how you wire it. It can be either way.

 

Can you tell me how to wire it so that it will work only on the "double click" when I open the passenger door ?

Some detail and Wire Colors would be very helpful....

.....or maybe someone can just point me in the right direction.
No luck in my searching so far although I have reached out directly to P n' L

I will post the answer for others behind me.

Thx

 

Pretty sure this is it.

http://www.popandlock.net/download/PL8521.pdf.8efb49664f8910a2c0bf9105312b2ae0

 

Yeah, thanks. Those match the directions I received, but doesn't mention one click or two.

 

It must be on one of the write ups on here. I just don't remember which one.

 

I'm on the hunt !
Nothing from Pop n' Lock yet, you would think they would have this covered by now.

 

OK here is what I found.....

re: 2006 Tacoma TRD Sport Access Cab.

The picture below shows the little bundle of wires behind my passenger side kick panel.

I spliced and connected in the cab as follows.

Blue / Red (truck harness) to Green (Pop n' Lock)
Blue / Black (truck harness) to Blue (Pop n' Lock)

This opens the tailgate mechanism with two clicks of the unlock button on the fob along with the passenger door and locks the tailgate and both doors with one click of the lock button.

Pop n' Lock does not actuate when the drivers door opens with one press of the unlock button.

 

I routed my wiring up the driver side to the kick panel...

My Dynolock opens on the first click of my key fob...

I'd like to get it to open on the second click.

Do I just reverse the connections at the actuator in the tailgate?

 

Re-read the post above (or below), try running some jumper wires to the PASSENGER side. I think you'll have success.

OK here is what I found.....

re: 2006 Tacoma TRD Sport Access Cab.

The picture below shows the little bundle of wires behind my passenger side kick panel.

I spliced and connected in the cab as follows.

Blue / Red (truck harness) to Green (Pop n' Lock)
Blue / Black (truck harness) to Blue (Pop n' Lock)

This opens the tailgate mechanism with two clicks of the unlock button on the fob along with the passenger door and locks the tailgate and both doors with one click of the lock button.

Pop n' Lock does not actuate when the drivers door opens with one press of the unlock button.

 

Thanks, Frito. I did read your post. I'm trying to find out if there is anyway to get tailgate lock to open on second click without re-wiring to the passenger side.

My install was a bit of a pain, because there weren't any Blue/Red or Blue/Black wires under the floor panel (by door) where most people seemed to connect. We found them in the kickpanel only. So, I'm trying to find out if I can just switch the wires (since I've already got them zip-tied to the frame) or if I actually have to reroute them to passenger side...

Thanks for your post, pictures and response.

 

You're almost there man.... If what I proposed will work, (have you tried ?) just extend the wires you've already run along the firewall to the passenger side and connect. No need to start from the tailgate again.

I don't believe reversing the wires where you are will solve anything but reverse the lock's action. You can try that too without anything bad happening.

Good Luck and don't forget to report back your findings.

 

Frito, sorry for the delay in getting back with the report..."life" happened...work, holidaze, wisdom teeth extraction (no fun, man...)


Anywho, found this nugget on another pop n lock install thread:

Diego1931 said: ↑

"Alright thanks guys. I figured that worst case scenario I did it wrong I could just reverse the bullet connectors on the solenoid. That sounds like the case. Can you guys confirm that the green and red wires in that harness are the ones I need? Seeing as how you've done this?"

"Yes, green and red. Reverse the wires at the solenoid if needed."

I haven't had a chance to reverse the solenoid wires yet, but will report back to thread when I do... Building a DIY bed slider took precedence for a while...

 

I have used the manual key version of the pop and lock solely to avoid the wiring and such. Install was <15 min taking my time and going slow. Happy customer.

 

First pop n lock broke after 2 years. Stupid actuator lever on back side of handle itself snapped off. Unrepairable. Assumingly it's a weak point of the design. I never concidered keepinh the stock and simply Frankensteining in the power actuator from 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! Smart. Wish I'd done that rather than just put in another manual pop and lock