Universal power door lock install on 2012

How to install power door locks on Toyota Tacoma 2012

Hi folks.. I figured I'd post some information on this because I couldn't find any at all while researching it. It appears everyone is buying door panels and oem door latch/actuator assembly. This kit cost about 60 dollars on ebay with an alarm system vs oem latches, switches, harness, and door panels. The universal kits are a challenge for one reason.. there are no linkage rods. Toyota used sleeved cables making universal kits almost impossible.. I managed by drilling a hole in the door handle assy as well as another small hole in the lock piece to use the linkage from the kit directly to the door handle assy therefore bypassing the need for rod linkage to tie in.

The pics are pretty self explanatory assuming you already know how to wire up lock actuators but if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer..

 

1) Take appropriately size drill bit and drill straight through the assembly right up against the rear mount for the door handle assy and level with the latch cable. Then use the drill bit to grind open the hole all the way to the edge so you can get the actuator linkage into the 2nd hole when it's bent at the end 90 degrees.

2) the first hole you drilled should have also gone through here.. use the drill bit to willow out this hole so the actuator linkage can pivot left and right a bit while the lock piece swings back and forth..

3) drill a hole next to the existing hole to fit linkage into lock piece. It is a bit tough to get it in there but with some motivation it'll go in. Don't just drill the original hole bigger as I'm betting this would create issues with the linkage that goes from here to the latch. It may cause the latch to not fully engage or disengage if the original cable shifts in the big hole. I hope this isn't too confusing. I am no writer.