2019 Tailgate Lock - PN: PK3B6-35JS0

You can do in two phases. The body harness is the work, tailgate harness is the reward.

 

I'm just lazy.

 

Serious question to those who have installed the OEM kit, I looked under my ‘19 and just can’t imagine having the dexterity to secure the metal wire ties in the area they need to go. I can barely get my hand in that section and can’t imagine being able to tighten a metal wire tie in there.
In the area where there isn’t the heat resistant foil wrap does the wiring just get zip tied to the other wiring that makes its way to the rear of the truck?
I’m still up in the air on this one...

 

I don’t have a lift and I didn’t find it challenging. It wasn’t particularly pleasant to my back slithering around on my concrete driveway but it was not hard at all. Safety glasses might be nice to keep your eyes safe from dust but just positioning your head to the side of the frame was how I managed. Maybe good to do a car wash first if dirty. Also, a headlamp may help depending on lighting conditions.

If it feels daunting after trying it, see if you can rustle up a neighborhood teenager for a $20? I think my 5 year old might have even been able to accomplish the zip tie part.

you can practice on the plastic ties first. They give you at least 10 more than you can possibly use unless you place one every inch.

 

Ok, thanks. My concern mostly was being able to get my ham fists into that small area to get the ties secured. That’s a tiny area to maneuver in! The ties themselves aren’t my concern. I’m leaning toward doing it though. Tons of great info in this thread.
The eye protection and headlamp idea sound like a good plan too.
We’re you able to cut off the excess on the metal ties or did you loop the excess around the wires?

 

Yes, I cut the metal ties after tightening them using tinsnips.

I have since purchased some 8” wire cutters which might have made the plastic tie cutting easier. I’m not sure how they would fare with the metal ties. Tinsnips worked fine but the jaws are big so I have a bit of extra length.

Also, I have no idea how I wound up with multiple sets of tinsnips. But figure others can have a fun laugh at my expense.

DWHT70275
DWHT74274

 

Thanks Dave, I’d say that I have pretty much the same collection as you!

 

Does anyone have any experience installing this on a 2021?

 

Thanks I wanted to make sure nothing has changed before ordering the kit.

 

I tried to cut the metal ties with my bigger pair of dikes (on the right), but could not get through them, especially since I was having a hard time getting in there to get a good angle and leverage. I ended up digging out these massive pair of snips (on the left) and was able to cut them with that. The angle wasn't perfect but they were so big they powered through anyway!



And yes I have a pile of various dikes and snips too! Not sure where most of them came from even.

 

One trick which might be worth considering. Get your first metal tie installed and cut the hard way. Then pre cut the rest of the ties. If you cut at a slight angle it shouldn’t be too hard to start them. Or straight cut + corners. That might make that part a little easier. You can estimate the length off the extra you cut off from the first one.

 

For the under truck crawl I put a mover’s blanket folded over in thirds so it was shaped like a sleeping bag on the concrete and was pretty comfortable under the truck. I used tin snips, too, but finding angles where the wire tie, tin snips, and hand all fit was challenging. With a cold exhaust system, doable.

It didn’t require knowledge so getting a gangly teenager for that part might not be a bad idea. I wouldn’t go out and make a teenager just for that use, rent someone else’s if you don’t have an unused one lying about the house.

 

Tin snips like to multiply in your tool drawer. I hardly ever have a use for them, and yet somehow I have 3 sets.

 

I just wrapped the extra metal band around the clamp itself. One day I may get a pair of tin snips.

 

As long as you have the cable on the right side frame rail, you just follow along and use the ten million wire ties as illustrated in the installation instructions. If you don't have the cable on the right side of the frame, you have to play it by ear.

It's kind of tight in some spots, but you should be able to get in there and place the metal wire ties.

I used this as an excuse to buy a new creeper from Harbor Fright. My old one is over 30 years old and the casters suck. A creeper makes it much easier to move around under there.

 

Thanks, my harness does run along the passenger side frame rail.

 

Do you have power outlets in the bed of the truck?

 

Yes, passenger side in the bed.

 

Jokes on you, the kid already dropped the 10mm in the engine compartment.