Adding a tailgate lock

I have a 2012 tacoma with the backup camera in the tailgate handle. From what I've been told, when you convert the OEM taligate handle to one that locks such as pop & lock, the camera needs to move to the left side of the handle.

The 2012 has a grid on the display on the mirror. Does moving the camera to the left affect the alignment of the grid?

thanks

 

I have a 2010 with the pop-n-lock electronic actuator installed...didn't have to change my handle or move the camera to the left...

 

This is the one I installed...

http://www.popandlock.net/Power_Tailgate_Lock/Power_Toyota_Tailgate_Lock/Power_Tacoma/PL8521-79

 

thanks for the tip...i'll check it out.

 

Same here. Easy install. Had to drill a hole to route the wires out of the tailgate. Ran them along the existing wiring harness into the cab right under the rear passenger floor and into the passenger kick panel. Works great and provides a little more peace of mind.

 

The kit looks like its "plug & play". But did you have to cut wires to install it? The product website doesn't give a whole lot of info on this.

Thanks for the info guys I appreciate your help.

 

The kit is plug and play. I did shorten the harness from PnL so that I didn't have to bundle the extra up in my passenger kick panel. I had to re-crimp the terminals for the T-Taps (included in kit).

 

Thanks for the info & tips...I think I'll go with that instead of the "keyed" one.

 

...and you shouldn't have to drill a hole in the tailgate...just run the wires with the harness for the camera....once you get it under your truck, cross it to the driver's side...up the frame and in the grommet under the driver's seat....If you do some searching you'll find other threads on this...one guy documented the install pretty well with pictures...

 

thanks sullyman! I'll do that.

 

Another cheap theft deterant is just putting hose clamps around where the tailgate attaches to the bed

 

Does that secure the tailgate shut or just make it harder to remove?

 

It's a cheap deterrent. Won't stop a determined thief, but might just make someone move on to an easier target.

Here's the link. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/27829-tailgate-theft-how-prevent.html

 

I installed my clamps months ago and noticed today that my tailgate cables were loose like somebody possibly, I think likely tried to take the tailgate but failed. Both were loose. At first I wondered whether it happened while I opened and closed the tailgate but as I messed around with it myself it seemed unlikely. I have a pop and lock that I have been meaning to install and I will be installing this weekend since I am in a "bad area" where I know crackheads roam through so maybe this person could come back. Whatever I won't make it easy for them. SOB!!! I love my truck but hate how easy Toyota made it for potential thieves!

 

I did the hose clamp mod to temporarily secure the tailgate and make sure it didnʻt "walk away." Iʻd never heard of anyone stealing tailgates until I came to TW. Not that big an issue here on the Big Island as well. But for the stuff in the bed, bought an Undercover Classic. Holds everything pretty secure and goes completely over the tailgate so unless someoneʻs either breaking the gate or the cover, my hose clamp mod is useless

 

i installed the regular pop lock and u do move camera to other side and you can see it throws off the alignment slightly. I have the navi which doesnt display grid lines, but i can clearly see that I'm missing the corner of my bumper on one side now...which kind of blows for the cameras purpose.

 

I went with the dyno power tailgate lock. I found it for cheaper than the Pop n lock. It installs the same as the PnL and works fine. Came with way too much wire though. Didnt even use the short length of wire. The long one was plenty and would be even for a DC LB.

 

Thanks for the tips everyone...that helps.

I put a piece of blue tape on the center of my bumper & I found that in the current configuration the grid is not centered anyway. I haven't installed the pop & lock yet but I am thinking about installed the power one. My only concern is if it fails for whatever reason I won't be able to open the tailgate to fix it.

 

I looked at the undercover & almost got it but seems kind of a hassle when I need to remove it. But I can see how it eliminates the need for the tail gate lock. I decided to go with the retrax....thanks for the tip.