Pop and Lock PL8521 Power Tailgate Install (2012 Tacoma)

^^^not going to upgrade just because but if mine dies I might replace it with that one. Hard to tell, does it have a hole for the factory rear view camera?

 

Works with/without a camera. There's a false cover you can remove.

 

Quoted for future purchase... Thx !

 

Just an update on my attempt to run the wires form the tailgate to under the truck through the existing backup camera loom like 2006KJ did:
The grommets where the loom passes through the body above the bumper and through the bottom of the tailgate clamshell open for pretty easy removal and the clips on the bottom of the tailgate also open up easily. The biggest pain is that there is hardly any slack available in the existing wiring so getting the grommet out of the bottom of the tailgate and then reassembling everything with enough wire to plug the camera back in requires a fair amount of pulling/stretching things. There is room in the factory loom for the P&L wires but you do have to remove the outer insulator that bundles those 2 wires together for the part that goes in the loom.

All told, this part of the install probably took me close to an hour to get everything just how I wanted it but now there is zero evidence of the install on the outside of the truck. That's worth it to me in the end even if it took a bit more finagling and cursing than I expected.

 

Finally installed the Pop and Lock

$198 PL8540 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Smart Lock Combo with Bolt Technology for Toyota Tacoma, Fits 2005 to 2015 Models (OEM Color Black, PL8540)

PL8540 combo kit, with codeable bolt lock and power lock/unlock.


http://youtu.be/nwer_TAFmiI

 

If anyone else is interested on how I installed the

$198 PL8540 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Smart Lock Combo with Bolt Technology for Toyota Tacoma, Fits 2005 to 2015 Models (OEM Color Black, PL8540)

PL8540. I put up a somewhat semi write up on this thread. Pg.6 post 144.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/291989-tailgate-locks-6.html#post8003474

 

So I am thinking of ordering one of these. However, my fear is it going out in a locked position and me not being able to get into my bed due to having a tonneau top. If that were to happen, i wouldn't want to have to tear my top to get into my truck. Yet I need a lock, otherwise any Joe Schmoe could run off with my top... What to do, What to do... ?

 

I'm slightly worried about this too. I put my

$122 PL8521 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma, Fits Models 2005 to 2015 (PL8521)

PL8521 on anyway. I have to lock my tailgate because of my tools. They cost more than my tonneau.

I would have considered a manual lock handle but I think they look cheap.

For anyone that knows, do you know what the wire colors are on the passenger side so the lock opens on the second push of the key fob?

 

I put the 8521 on mine this weekend. Even though I do fear getting locked out. I did call Extang customer service. And they were way cool and said if push came to shove, I could cut into the tarp then they could sale me just a tarp replacement at $120 with shipping. I know $120 is a lot but at least the option exists.

 

I just installed mine last night on my 2014. I didn't check on here first for a DIY which was obviously a mistake...I used a video tutorial since the directions that come with the thing are garbage. The directions said to use the drain holes but they are tiny so I followed the video and drilled a hole on the driver's side bottom and installed a rubber grommet. I didn't use the factory hole because I was worried the line would be too short. I ran the line toward the front, following the factory wiring harness, and got just below the driver seat when I saw the factory harness disappear into a large rubber grommet. I decided that this was better than following the directions and running it through the engine bay. I untaped the factory wiring from the grommet and ran the pop and lock through the existing hole then replaced the tape. I then spliced the wiring into the wires leading to the driver side passenger door. The bad thing about this: I had to remove the seat belt. Overall, this install put me in a bad mood. I didn't like drilling a hole in my brand new truck or having to undo the seat belt or having to pull the B pillar panel which broke the two replaceable trim plugs. The plugs were clearly designed to break if you took the panel off because they were brittle with simple finger pressure. I coiled up my excess wire in the bumper area because I wanted to be able to quickly disconnect the wiring If I had to take off the tailgate for some reason. I bundled it and secured it with zip ties, but will likely cut and solder to avoid the bundle coming undone somehow. The lock does work great and I love the clean look it gives since there is nothing on the exterior to indicate there is an aftermarket part. It is loud like others have said. If I were to install again I'd run through the factory hole, but still use the drivers side to avoid cutting and to bundle with factory harness for a clean underbody look. I did this at night in my garage and after clean up it took about 2hrs (this included taking my time, drilling and dremeling, and searching for and watching the video several times)

 

That's school they're willing to work with you.

I also used the grommet under the driver seat. I untaped the grommet, ran the wire through the grommet hole, wrapped it with rubber electrical tape, then wrapped another layer of super 33 electrical tape on top. Better than the fire wall method like you said.

I used the writeup on this thread, which helped out a lot, but I didn't read the details about the passenger side door wire. Wasn't thinking about the lock opening with one click of the key fob. I would rather it opened on the second click. I feel it will get used more often than is needed and get worn out sooner.


Otherwise, I'm very happy with it. It will keep my tools and other things a lot safer than without. It is loud. Sounds like an M2 50 cal machine gun being chambered in the bed of my truck.

 

x2...and I wanted to say that I was initially confused and here's why: The original directions have you route to the driver's side, which involves removing the panel on the post between the front and rear doors (also removing the seat belt to accomplish this). So, having that mind set, I wasn't clear, when running to the passenger site, where to find the wiring. Fortunately, you don't have to remove that particular panel. I had to read several pages into this post before I realized that it was the front passenger kick panel (under the glove box near the front door hinges) where the bundle resides that one must tap into. Once I read this and removed that particular panel, all was clear and easy as pie. I'm color blind, but my 10 year old co-pilot said "Dad, there they are...those are the wires like in the picture". Project done. Very pleased.

 

Doing it tonight. Going the Passenger side route and I already have an extra engine bay gromet installed that is ready and waiting for more wires. From what everyone has said here, I should have it in pretty quickly since I have learned from everyone elses frustrations. THANKS TO ALL who came before me.

 

I ended up just taking that plastic clip out at the tailgate. I couldn't get the wires to fit through with it there.

 

I really like this combo kit. Wish they had this when I wrote this write up.

 

sub'd

 

Same here. I left them out, wasn't worth the hassle.

 

Did the install today on a 2014 DCLB - quite straight forward.

No need for the sponge 'spacer' as the

$122 PL8521 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma, Fits Models 2005 to 2015 (PL8521)

PL8521 came with a nice piece of closed cell foam wire-tied to the solenoid. The toughest part may have been figuring out how to remove and open the various snap-in wire guides in the tailgate and into the body without damage.

I added wire loom and opted to run up the passenger side and through the rubber plug under the front passenger seat. I removed the sill cover, opened the factory loom just aft of the rear-most black support and easily made the splice there.

The Amazon price was right, but for some reason they said the 8521 did not support a 2014. From this thread I knew it did and the directions even had the correct wire colors listed. Thanks for the information and guidance.

 

Amazon showed that it didn't support my '13 either. But I knew from these forums it would and bought it anyway...just as you did. Results good. Very happy.

 

Hi I just bought this and tried to install it on my taco access cab 2014 but the wires under the kick plate drivers side are not the ones in the instruction. Does anyone know what color they are ?