2nd Gen Tacoma Tailgate Lock Installation

KTJO 4x4 · Feb 15, 2020

Well Everyone....I decided to look back at my own build and put together this thread for the 2nd Gen Tacoma Owners to have something at when they are doing their install. Now these pictures are taken from my 2017 back in 2016 when I did my initial Tailgate Lock and I drilled the two small holes into my Tailgate for my own system. Now I have learned a lot over time and I have updated my own system to what I sell and make now for the 3rd Gen Tacoma Owners and 2nd & 3rd Gen Tundra Owners. Hopefully soon, I will be able to offer it for the 2nd Gen Tacoma Owners. For now, here are some pics to help you with your install...

Started in the Tailgate area...why? Well, that’s the only place you should start.

The Tailgate Actuator Lock is an extremely easy process to install. It helps to mount your Actuator prior to installing the Tailgate Rod, but that can be done to your preference. It is overall a pretty self explanatory install. Align the Actuator holes with the holes on the Actuator, depending on where you would like to drill your two holes in your Tailgate. Make sure to grab your Tailgate Rod and measure the distance needed. You can see below where I drilled my two holes in comparison to the Locking Mechanism. I probably could have moved it over a little more to align straight, but again that can be done to your preference.

Once you have the two holes pre-drilled, it is time to install all the hardware onto the Actuator prior to installation. Slip the Screws through (you may need to actually thread them threw) the Actuator, install the spacers onto the screws on the top side of the Actuator (between the Actuator and the Tailgate), insert the Screws into the pre-drilled holes in your Tailgate, and then thread the Lock Nuts on the End of the Screws on the Top Side of the Tailgate and Tighten. You can see below my Actuator installed in my Tailgate. I will say, even since this install I have updated how to go about making this install better. I have made it so that the Actuator is level with the Locking Mechanism by adding the Spacers, the Tailgate Rod is much better all together, and having a Lock Nut will make it so that with the vibration you will not have to worry about this loosening at all.

To install the New Tailgate Rod - Bolt & Nut, use a T15 Torx Bit and look for the little silver screw. Remove the Screw, slip the Lock off, put the Rod in the middle, put the Lock back on, and then re-tighten the screw back in place. Done! You can see below the 3rd Gen Tacoma Tailgate Rod installed because I did not have this Rod when I had my older system installed on my truck. I had the older Rod installed and I will not be selling that Rod with my system as you see in these pictures with my older system. I have also added a picture of what the New Tailgate Rod will look like when you do install it.

Just a different angle looking down the Tailgate at the Actuator and where the New Tailgate Rod will be installed with the spacers and mounting hardware.

Following the wiring now inside the tailgate...now this is my personal harness so it is going to obviously look different than the kit. My apologies The New Red Wire is going to be for my New Stealth Hidden Weather Proof Tailgate Switch that I will be installing. The other set of wires, the “V”, is for the Tailgate Opener that hopefully we will be converting for the 2nd Gen Tacoma's as well.

Here is where you exit the Tailgate with the factory Rear Camera Harness and the Tailgate Lock. I will actually be manufacturing my own mold for the double Tailgate Wire Harness Protector, but at this time, the wire harness will fit without having to drill or cut anything.

Like I mentioned, if you do not want to drill into the OEM Cable Protector, there is enough space you can easily install the cable between the little space they already have prior to pushing the protector back into place. This is 100% a drill free kit.

On the other hand, should you want to do so, I do have a pic of one way a guy did drill into his cable protector to give you an idea.

Again, these are just ideas for you to tackle your own install. Please do as you wish with your own Truck.

Moving to the outside of the Tailgate and looking at the Rear of the Bumper. This is where I may lose some of you guys. I did not think of switching the Harnesses prior to doing so, but I decided to drill a hole straight across from my Tailgate Entrance to my Bumper instead of going the route to the next factory location. However, I could have easily done so. You may ask, well didn’t you start in the tailgate. Yes and no. I start in the tailgate but I started with fishing the wire from inside the rear part of the Bumper.

I am actually extremely happy with the location. I still have to travel the distance to the right to connect with the Rear Camera Harness and follow it up the Passenger Side of the Truck to the Passenger Door Black Grommet.

Well I made it to the Black Grommet located at the Passenger Door. You will find this black box covering the factory wiring. You don’t have to remove it, but I wanted to see what was underneath and I also wanted to show you guys so I removed it. There are two 10mm bolts that hold it in place and that is it. Then it just falls off.

I ran my Wire Harness right over the top next to the factory Wire Harness.

The next part, in order to get the wire harness inside the Cab, there are different ways you can get it inside the cab. I will give two ways as to how you can do it. I personally poked a small hole and then just started fishing the wire through one at a time. I didn’t want to make the hole too big.

The second way I will show you is through the OEM Grommet, which I think most will probably opt for so that you are not cutting or drilling a hole.

Once you get the wire through, just pull the Wire Loom through as well.

Once you pull it all the way through, put the cover back on.

Here is a close up picture of the Black grommet.

Now moving to inside the Truck. Run the Wire Loom Down the Passenger Door Panel. You can lock it in or not. I have a lot of wires so I chose not to. You may want to and that is fine.

You can see that I am at the end of my install here with my Passenger Kick Panel.

Well, time to cut my wire, install the Butt Connectors, and melt some Heat Shrink.

Finally, connect to the Lock & Unlock Wires on the New Plug-N-Play Harness!

And the final look down the Passenger Door Panel. Install Complete!

Thank You EVERYONE!