Pop & Lock PL5300 Review

You have a glossy finish?...

 

Unfortunately. It looks like it was hit with some high shine ArmorAll.

 

That's interesting. Mine just looks like crappy plastic but it's not glossy.

 

Take a pic...I wonder how different it looks from mine.

 

x2

 

Mine looks like crappy plastic, just with a glossy finish that tears up quickly.

As for picture requests, I doubt it will look any different since it matches the style in the first posting, but once I get a working camera I'll be happy to post it.

 

I recently began researching the Pop Lock installation for my Tacoma. A local dealer recommended not getting the lock due to a history of the lock unlocking while driving and hitting bumps or due to jarring of the vehicle. Any thoughts or history on this?

Thanks
SVFDLT1

 

Not that impressed with 303 protectant. For the money it ddoesn't seem like it is worth it.

 

For the PL5300 model that I have, I don't have a clue how this could possibly happen. You're not replacing the latches at all and mechanically the handle works the same except you can disable the handle from working. Sounds like your dealer may want to sell you something else?

I've also seen other reviews of the Pop & Lock where is comes with extender bars where some people had eliminated use of those bars and maybe that's what the dealer was talking about. Those are not for this model/version. All tie points are in the exact same position/pivot point, no mechanical changes in that area.

Hope this helps,
-Joe

 

So far I have never experienced this problem. The mechanism is pretty basic...unless the tumblers inside the lock bounce around? I have read of folks in the snowy regions talk about it rusting though.

It's definitely not cheap. I suppose time will tell how well my vinyl trim and handle hold up. What were you expecting out of it?

 

Glad you said that, guess I should hit mine with a shot of WD40 periodically. Have you heard what the locking mechanism is made of? It would be fine if it were brass and just the silver cover is the part that rusts. It wouldn't look nice after a while but you could unlock it at least.

 

Mine works awesome but the black paint that was on it when i bought the thing started to chip after a few weeks.

Has anyone tried to paint/re-paint these handles?

I was thinking of buying a 12oz can of color matched paint for my pyrite mica since i have the sport model to match the rest of the door handles.

Has anyone else tried anything like this? I think it would look nice.

 

Make sure the plastic is very clean and use spray paint made for plastic, they stick better.

 

No I don't actually know what the inside is made of. All I've read is some folks saying that they had gotten replacements because it rusted out and they couldn't lock/unlock. Not sure if this was on older or newer Pop & Locks. I don't really have to deal with snow and salt down here in FL, but the lock's still open to the elements and there is always a chance for rust either way. I'll be hitting it up with some maintenance as well to try to keep this from happening.

 

NAYo2002,
Followed your excellent installation instructions for my Pop N Lock. Everything was on point and much easier (based on your photos and narratives) compared to the installation instructions that came with the lock. Thanks for an excellent "how to".

 

No problem, I just added to what others have already said before. Glad everything worked out well

 

I agree with some of the posts here - I have one of the first PL5300's and it's complete junk. Almost every time I shut my tailgate, it locks on me too, when it's supposed to stay unlocked. Once it is unlocked, I have to open it with two hands, because the the plastic handle is too flimsy and flexes too much for it to open cleanly. It's very clunky to operate and I too think the finish doesn't exude quality. It also looks like they cut the plastic free-hand with an x-acto knife, it's not even straight - you can see it from one of the earlier posted pics. I could have overlooked the cheapo plastic finish if it at least functioned properly. I think I am going to try to call them to get a better handle or a replacement. If not, I will switch brands. It's too bad, because I like a locking tailgate, but I am starting to dislike this thing more and more. Anyone else have experience with another lock?

Toyota really dropped the ball by not having an OEM lock on the tailgate, that uses the same key as everything else. After 4 years, it's one of my only complaints about the truck.

 

Well here is an update (5 months after installation) on my wonderful Pop&Lock handle. The shiny glossy finish is peeling off. The finish is almost all a flat matt which is what I actually wanted in the first place. Until it all flakes off it will look like crap but once it's finished I think it will be a nice touch.

I haven't had any mechanical failures (cross my fingers) and hope I never do.

-Joe

 

It's been almost 10 months and I'm just here to report that it's still working perfectly... I haven't even had a chance to re-lube it (prob not even necessary since it's still working smooth) since we've been getting sub-zero winter storms up here in Montana.

 

I just ordered one after reading this thread. I bought a 2011 Tacoma last November and on New Years eve my tailgate was stolen. I never even though about getting stolen. I was worried about stuff in my bed every night. I heard about people stealing tailgates, but thought it was rare. Also I didn't know that Toyotas made the tailgates so easy to take off. I though it was only American trucks. This sucks because now I don't have a factory tailgate no more. It's just a replica tailgate that was painted to match. I took it to the same toyota dealer I bought it from. I thought it would be better. Turns out they are terrible. I still don't have my tailgate done yet. They also told us they can't find a lock for the tailgate. Damn idiots. They said they're working on 3 other tacomas with stolen tailgates. Feel sorry for those customer because they probably going through the same terrible service we are going through. If they working on so many tailgates, I would think they should know how to get this same issue out faster and also know how to look for a lock.