Installing power locks in a 2003 Tacoma....Need help

I search every where looking for how to connect the aftermarket lock actuator rod to the lock mechanism. I removed the door panel. The GEN 1 (2003 Tacoma) has the lock's rods in a plastic housing to protect it from being Slim Jim. All the moveable parts are all condensed in the upper corner of the door. How do I remove the plastic housing to expose the rod. I do not see what rod to connect to that has a clear back and forth action to attach my actuator rod to. Do anyone have instructions with pictures?

 

Pictures I took

 

Looks like a tough install. I'm pretty sure you have to remove the lock rod and the sleeve will slide off. Remove the door glass and you can see in there from the top.

 

I have a gen 2 so I know I don’t belong here but clicked on the thread cause I was curious as to why you would want to do this. Having mechanical locks and windows and stuff is what makes the older vehicles cool cause everything in cars now is powered or computer controlled. I mean how cool would it be if you get a bran new trd pro with all manual options. Windows, locks, transmission, transfer case real manual locking hubs. I don’t know maybe it’s just me. I do hope your project goes smoothly and you are happy with the results.

 

On very cold days I have to unlock both doors with the key from the outside. Put my stuff on the passenger seat then walk around to driver side start truck and let it sit there running. I cannot lock the doors because the key is in the ignition warming up the truck. With power locks I can lock the doors while truck is running. Later, once the truck is warmed up I can run thru cold air, remote unlock truck then jump in. Also if key lock freezes I can also unlock the doors. I can name you a lot of reasons to have power locks.

 

I looked at several angles trying to remove the lock rod cover that covers the interior manual pull-up lock level. I do not see how its attached to know what to unfasten to remove it.

I can see two devices which can be toggled up & down to lock/unlock door. One is the manual interior lock level rod and the other is the rod that attaches to the exterior key cylinder. These two locations are very hard to reach and both have a short travel path of movement to lock/unlock door. I assumed someone tried this before and they have a best practice method on how to proceed .....with pictures.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78yoVyTRUHU

10:00 mark help?

 

Have you taken the window out? It's pretty straight forward once the glass is out.

Drop the latch, spin off the lock knob and slide the sleeve off.

 

You are perfect. The video made it simple. THANKS!!!

 

I installed OEM power windows and locks and mirrors in my truck, it’s pretty simple if you run a few wires, relays, and fuses if you use the factory door harnesses.

 

Thanks, got it.

 

Something to think about. Thanks.

 

Lol yeah a spare key would solve none of that and I to hate taking 2 extra steps hahah. All in good fun man it’s all about enjoying your own stuff. Mod on fellow Tacoma dude.

 

@frizzman thanks for the video as well. It is super helpful. @ReggieD where did you end up connecting the aftermarket lock actuator rod to the lock mechanism? I am working on the exact same thing and the options so far are seem like:
1. Completely remove the plastic housing for the lock rod, so that the lock rod is visible.
2. Cut out a big enough section in the plastic housing, so that again the lock rod is visible but some of the plastic housing remains
3. Try to connect to the lock rod all the way at the "bottom" where it meets the lock assembly, but this seems like it would be the most difficult

UPDATE: I ended up going with Option 2 - cut out a section at the bend in the plastic housing so that the rod is visible from the outside of the door (with the door handle removed). This is makes it possible to connect the rods and allows the rods to move up and down and still have the plastic housing.

NEW CHALLENGE: Manually unlocking and locking is harder than I thought due to the actuator. I can still manually lock and unlock but am using more force than I would like to. Anyone have this problem? When I connected the rods, I had the actuator pushed all the way down and the locking rod pushed all the way down as well. Maybe that wasn't the best way to do it?

 

I feel your pain, bageltop.
Did you figure out a good location to mount the actuator?

I’m amid trying to install one of these “universal” remote door locks on my ‘95 Taco. Not a whole lot of options because of the window track and not enough bracing inside of the door to latch onto. There’s also not enough throw on the actuator to engage/disengage the locking up/down rod mech. Ugh.

 

Sorry I’m kinda late to the party but I wished I got to you before you bought the aftermarket style actuators, I had those and they kept failing i think because the door is not really sealed on that side and the moisture and heat caused them to fail. Went with the original style (built into the door lock) and never had a problem simpler install and way more reliable