Pop & Lock alternative?

I bought a pop n lock

$91 PL5500 , Standard Lock

PL5500 for my 2015 Tacoma. Installed it fine and it seemed to work ok but the damn thing unlocks itself on it's own after about 5 minutes. I removed the tailgate panel to see how that happens and it seems like the manufactured parts had very lenient tolerances. The part that swivels to lock/unlock just slips slowly downward after locking.

Does anyone know of a beefier designed tailgate lock?
Also, why the heck doesn't Toyota offer this option?

 

Many TW members have reported problems with pop & lock models; unfortunately there seems to be no alternative out there right now. Why Toyota overlooked a locking tailgate has also dismayed many TW members, including yours truly.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...ing-right.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...-not-lock.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...0-problem.html

 

Mine did the same thing, which I solved using a simple rubber band to keep the pendulum in the lock position, mentioned here.

 

Good job, but ... You need to get a metal spring and rig it up. The weather is going to take a heavy toll on that rubber band in short order.

 

@ tomwil
I thought of the exact same rubber band idea but didn't have one handy.
But as someone posted after you, that probably won't hold up very long.

I appreciate the responses, thanks guys.

 

A carb return spring does the job nicely and u don't have to worry about having to replacemthat rubber band over time.

 

Put the stock tailgate handle back on and buy the Pop & Lock

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

PL8521 power tailgate lock.
No keys, and no weak/cheap feeling Pop & Lock handle, or issues like you are experiencing.

Check out my installation write-up here.

Jesse