Pop&Lock 8520 and 8521 Guide

Here is my write-up on how I installed my backup camera and

$105 PL8521 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma, Fits Models 2005 to 2015 (PL8521)

PL8521 on an 08 Tacoma. Any tips or corrections will be appreciated. I also want to thank rmb crew for supplying the initial write-up that I used and some of the pics.

Materials for my build included:
1. Pop&Lock Pl8521
2. Back-up camera for my nav unit
3. 2010 Handle for my tailgate w/ camera slot
4. Black silicon
5. Time and patience (but not really because it was super fast)

Step 1, take off the tailgate cover (held by T-30 torx screws.) After screws are removed lift up on the top part of the tailgate to pull it out of the centering tab.


Step 2, unclip the black and red clips by twisting them off the metal cables. Then pull the cables straight up to remove.


Step 3, unbolt the left bolt, slide the Pop&Lock 8521 solenoid into place and bolt it down tight.

* Since I was installing a back-up camera with a 2010 handle I needed to unbolt the handle, slide it out, then slide the new handle in, bolt the right side, and finally slide the Polp&Lock 8521 into place and bolt it down on the left.


Step 4, run the wires out one of the drain holes (I used the center one) and through the square hole that you use to access your spare tire (will not interfere with removal of tire.) Note: the drain hole will probably need to be expanded to allow for the end connectors to fit through. Be careful not to damage the outside aesthetics of your tailgate.

Step 5, run your wire or wires to the front drivers side of your truck. I followed an existing bundle of wires to the front drivers side but others may prefer a different route. During this step you will need to use the long extension that came with the Pop&Lock 8521 to make it to the front of your truck. Zip-tie along the way to keep your wires away from hazards.


Step 6, find where the wires enter into your truck under the drivers side seat. Poke a hole (carefully so not to damage anything) and pull your wire (or wires if doing the camera too) in under the carpet.



Step 7, run your wires with the factory wires over to the drivers side kick panel.



Step 8, now here is probably the hardest part (or most confusing.) The instructions that came with the Pop&Lock 8521 said that my 08 has a Blue with Pink stripe wire and a Blue with a red stripe wire to splice to. In my case that was wrong. I had to splice to the blue/pink stripe wire and a blue/white stripe wire. Another combination is blue/pink stripe and a blue/black stripe. Best way to solve this problem is to pull out a voltage tester and use your keyless entry to unlock and lock the doors while looking for voltage.



Step 9, press your lock and unlock buttons to see if it works. If lock unlocks the tailgate then flip your wires around and try again. to flip your wires around just go to the back and change them at the tailgate. This is much faster and easier than resplicing.

Step 10, button everything up and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

*If your installing a camera as well, follow the instructions supplied with the camera to properly wire it in to your system. Next, place the camera into the hole, turn the camera on and adjust it to the angle you most prefer. Tape it in place to temporarily hold it where you want it to be. Use silicon to secure it into place in your handle and wait until it dries. Close off your tailgate. Finally, add more silicon to give yourself a clean, professional look.

Will post a a picture of the camera and tailgate handle when finished hope this helps anyone willing to try the project out.

 

Nice write up, thanks I'm about to do mine, i got the popnlock 5300 cause the dealer wanted 155$ compare to 65$ in a few months the power unit will be available for it also

 

Great job!! Question: 2010 handle match with internal component of 2008 handle?

 

I thought the

$105 PL8521 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma, Fits Models 2005 to 2015 (PL8521)

PL8521 was complete unit just install, item 3 mentions 2010 handle with camera slot, I'm confused.

 

when i talked to popnlock tech support i was told this:

5300 is the handle assembly that replace the 09-10 factory handle with OEM camera, they dont sell the power unlock/lock assembly for this unit yet, but it will be available some time in April, separate or in a package: about 120$ US for both is what i was told.

the

$105 PL8521 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma, Fits Models 2005 to 2015 (PL8521)

PL8521 is the power Lock/unlock assembly that fits Toyota 09-10 OEM handle with OEM camera, it does not fit the 5300 handle assembly. The only drawback to the PL8521 is that if your battery is dead you can't open your tailgate.

 

Yes, fits perfectly.

 

It is a complete unit if you don't want to install a camera like I did. I went a little further with this write-up by telling how I installed both the Pop&Lock and the camera. If your doing just the Pop&Lock then disregard the camera steps/notes.

 

Thanks for the corrections.

 

Does the tailgate unlock with the drivers side door (first press of fob unlock) or with the passenger doors (second press of fob unlock)?

 

it will unlock anytime the button is pressed. So press it once it will unlock once, press twice it will unlock twice and so on for lock.

 

Why doesn't DynoLock or Pop & Lock make a power tailgate lock that can also work with an incorporated key lock? So if and when the electric solenoid ever fails, you just dig out your key...I worry a bit that my DynoLock might fail one day, since my Rollbak cover relies on opening the tailgate to unlock the cover...Are you listening, DynoLock, and Pop & Lock??

 

I agree 100%

 

I can confirm the instructions included with the 8521 are wrong, at least for a 2010...the taps must be made on the blue/pink (brown wire from 8521) and blue/black (green wire from 8521) wires. I couldnt find a blue/red.

Blue/white will cause all your lock solenoids to try to keep locking. Install is a bit of a pain, but pretty straightforward. Took me about two hours, but I shortened all the leads to the proper length and crimped on new connectors. I would suggest hooking everything up and testing before routing the long wire along the frame rail.

 

Been following this thread and got an 8521 a couple of weeks past. Finally had time and warm day to accomplish. Fairly straight forward install, I ran the short cord through the existing cord fitting of the tailgate, slit the cord wrap, pushed the wires inside the existing camera wire cord wrap, resnapped the pass through around it and popped back in.

Now I wanted to only lock/unlock the tailgate with the passenger doors, that way if I only unlock the driver's door it will remain locked and with my metal retracting locked cover no one can access the bed. Hmmm, checked the wiring under the passenger front door sill, same pass through rubber gasket, same blue/pink and black/blue for my '11 TX PRO, as everyone says is on drivers side, wired it up, works like a champ!

You will have to shorten about 5' of wire and cord wrap, use the extra male lugs and crimp em on, but it works as a passenger unlock, second push of the remote button.

Hope this helps!

 

So if I have a 2006 Taco and wanted a back-up camera and a locking tailgate, this would be the best choice?

 

ordered it

 

Just installed a 8521 on my 2011. It was the first mod I've done and after today I know it won't be the last. Routed the wires through the passenger side so the tailgate unlocks after two presses on the fob. In my case it was the blue/pink and blue/black wires that needed splicing. I'm going to install some vibration reduction measure under the lock as well as seal the hole in the passenger side plug with silicone.

Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread, I could not have completed this job without your help.

 

I have been trying to install on a 2012 but no luck. I have tried both the blue/pink with the blue/back and the blue/pink with the blue/white. I have worn the insulation off the wires and now can test with my meter. Does anyone know what voltage I should be seeing when I double press my key? I had the Rockford alarm added at the dealer, could this be be causing my problem???

See Below!!!

 

I am embarrassed to write this being that I was once an electronic tech but I will list my rookie mistakes for those who follow with a 2012 install.

First, do yourself a big favor and route your wires to the passenger side access panel. A lot less wires to deal with and you can locate the blue/pink and blue/black very quickly. In addition it will take two clicks on the keys to open the tailgate.

Second, if you do decide to go to the driver's side be careful as there are more than one set of blue/pink and blue/black wires. When I popped the panel and saw a blue/pink and blue/black wire I thought I was home free. The giveaway should have been that this wire was a little to large for the wire tap and I had to force it. The next day I noticed another set of blue wires tucked up a little higher and they are a smaller gauge wire that fits perfectly in the wire tap.There are not wires on the driver's side that will allow two clicks on the keys to open the tailgate.

Overall once I found the wires I wanted not a bad project and if I ever buy another Tacoma it will be one of the first things I do.

 

So, just to confirm... You spliced into the top bundle (labeled A in my photo)