Pop-n-lock vs OEM tailgate lock?

It's noticeably louder than the actuators for the cab doors. To me, it doesn't matter. Its not like you'll need ear plugs when you operate it ...

As I posted previously, when it clunks, I know it's working. Not a big deal to me.

Watch Chloe's review and install. The noise it makes can be heard over the "beeps". Judge for yourself.

https://youtu.be/5h2Z6PBE2hQ?si=aszUfdvBhkxbib9y

 

You might be able to hear it on PNL reviews on YouTube. Kinda similar to power lock on old cars, remember the lock pops up when unlocking and goes down when locking that had sound coming out of the door? That's how PNL does. I think it locks so fast which is why it's loud.



It's up to you to get either PNL or OEM lock. It's your truck.

 

Great video, thanks for sharing. I now officially don't care about the noise. ;-)

 

I put the OEM lock in my '22. It works great.

I put the PnL in my '11. It worked great for 11 years (and probably still works fine.)

I've got a slight preference for the OEM since it's a fused factory harness (not taps) and works on passenger door - which means it's actuated much less frequently. Also noticed a bunch less metal, more plastic on the current PnL that the one I installed in '11, but I'm sure it's still just fine.

One bonus w/the OEM (and maybe the PnL too?), you can use a sealed T-connector for the OEM harness just outside of the tailgate, and tap that to actuate an additional solenoid for a tonneau or cap lock. Works like a charm on my Leer. It feels like magic when you can un/lock everything in one go without ever touching a key or fob. So convenient...

 

Ordered the PnL kit from Amazon

$131 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock with Plug and Play T-Harness – Toyota Tacoma Fits Models 2016 to 2023 (PL8547TAC)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T59YR22?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I'll hopefully install this weekend. Selling point for me is that it is not direct coupled, like the OEM kit, so using a physical key if the actuator craps out is still possible.
I doubt the noise will bother me.

Anyone know if the wiring harness is the same on the passenger side? I know the OEM one can be hooked into the passenger side, which is nice to have the option if don't want it unlocking every time I get in the vehicle....but it will lock every time anyway, so it's only saving half the actuations/wear and tear.

 

Never looked into it, but I imagine the harness you tie into is different, and therefore the t-harness provided with the kit may not be plug and play...

 

This. After experiencing both Oem and PNL...
Why would anyone buy a cheaper version of the Oem Lock?
(especially the pop n lock with its poor record and loud operation.)
Its like the people that buy used electrical parts, a crap shoot for a 20 dollar savings.

 

Is there an OEM part for all third gens? I was under the impression that the electronic tailgate lock was a later addition to the run... (but I imagine it could still be backward compatible?)

 

Mine is a PNL which is connected on passenger side.

 

Good luck, let us know how it goes. I went OEM last year and haven't looked back.

 

It's also worth noting that you can plug it on either side and not just the drivers side. While the initial instructions refer to installing it on the drivers side, connecting it on the passenger side makes it so the tailgate only unlocks/locks when the passenger door lock is clicked on/off. Now, having written all that, for me, even that was not good enough! I am not a construction worker, so I do not need my tailgate to be constantly locking/unlocking, every time I unlock the door to get in. SO, after looking a little, I learned that PopNLock actually offers a rocker switch that you can mount anywhere, that you can connect the cabling to from the tailgate lock, so that the tailgate is locked/unlocked only by hitting the rocker switch either way. I actually made a video on this when I did it to my 2019. I mounted the switch on the lower left bottom of the dash panel, and it actually looks like it came that way with the truck. By the way, initially, the tailgate did not even have the option of a power tailgate lock, and then it became only available to the southeastern US dealers. I actually ordered mine from a Toyota dealer in NC! When I got it, it was actually a genuine PopNLock only with a Toyota part number on it, added to the original popnlock bag. So no doubt about it, the two are the same. Here is a link to my video where I show how I installed it. I am not monetized, so this is only to help my fellow tacoma owners! https://youtu.be/9qeKhgnc3UI

 

I ordered the R4T kit and it's also PnP. Can't attest to how loud it is compared to OEM or PnL though but I can definitely hear the clunk when locking it. It isn't a huge deal for me though but I've had it for about 2 years so far and no issues. It's so awesome not having to manually lock and unlock my tailgate.. should've came from the factory this way

 

I just installed the pop n loc and I am very happy to be able to lock/unlock tailgate with the doors remotely. It is loud …. But you know it worked. ONe thing I noticed that after about 5 minutes the truck self locks. Maybe this has always been the case but with the new tailgate lock I hear it.

 

Yes.

PK3B6-35JS0 is for the dcsb 5ft bed and the access cab tacoma's.

PK3B6-35JL0 is for the dclb 6ft bed tacoma's.

 

I installed the OEM kit on my '23 DCLB a few months ago. Installation was easy and it works great. Yes, you can still use the key to lock/unlock

 

Re: Truck self-locking... I haven't testing my theories, but I believe that if you exit the vehicle by simply pulling the driver's door handle, and walk away, it will self-lock. Now, if you unlock all the doors with the power lock switch, the truck's doors will remain unlocked. Not sure if you need to have the door open when you press "unlock", though...

I have been able to leave my truck unlocked overnight, and then some, when I am up at my farm.

Looks like a good science experiment.

 

OEM All The Way!

 

The truck has timer for the self lock. Mine does same thing. If you don't want that, you can change it via settings in head unit or OBD2 kit with app. But I don't remember if it has feature to allow to change self lock settings since self lock is a security feature. So far I know, the app can allow you to change turn signal from 3 to 5 which means it blinks 5 times then stops.

That time, my truck was only months old, I didn't get all information that time on what the truck has. So, I remember I opened the door and get something then closed it but I know I didn't lock it, I went out back by tailgate to discuss with a girl... then went back to driver door to open but it's locked, I was like fuk, did you lock it? She said no I don't have keys with me. I looked up online and realized it has auto lock. I was like oh great.

 

I've had the pop n lock on my 2020 for 4 years and it works flawlessly. So nice being able to lock and unlock the tailgate with the FOB.

 

I added the PnL to mine 4 or 5 years ago, and wired it to the passenger doors. Not a single issue in that time. Only time I think about it, is when I want to remove the tailgate...