Installing a cam lock for your bedside storage mod

I had this in my build page but thought other people may be interested in the process I used to key my cabinets

Note: Buy 2 keyed alike locks so you only have one key for the 2 cabinets, I ended up buying them online since the hardware store didnt have them to purchase like that

1) Remove actual cabinet box from bed

2) Take door to cabinet and use a step bit to drill a hole in the center the diameter of your file cabinet lock. You want it to fit snugly so the hex nut will pinch the plastic good when it is tightened and most come with a little metal circle with 2 sharp ends which hold the lock firmly in place once it is tightened down with the hex nut

3) Put back the newly keyed door into the original place in the cabinet and put some caulking or paste on the ^ tab which sticks out the right. When you take the key and turn the lock it will leave a mark on the inside of the cabinet where you need to drill a slot.

4) Drill a series of holes like this in the top of the cabinet so the lock can engage the top part of the cabinet when it is closed and lock and is secure. This part is super critial to meaure correctly because even a little play messes up the whole process. Also the cabinet boxes are fiberglass and no fun to drill in. I filed down the edges of the drilled holes so it makes a smooth slot like this The opening is larger at the front so the tab can catch the slot easier and then narrows so it fits snugly once its in the locked position. Very possible to jack up the whole thing up by not making the slot precisely where it needs to be to have a smooth action on the lock, just a heads up.

 

Nice job!

Btw, at first I thought you keyed your bed with some cabinets. Glad that wasn't the case.

 

...or one simple step that also gets you steel doors.

https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/storage-door/

I have these on my truck and couldn't be happier!

 

wheres the fun in that? if you see my build page Im not really about droppin tons of cash buying stuff for my truck, I have made a bunch of things for it though, backwoods custom stylie

 

I would assume that these work for the 2017?

 

Thanks Caliph420 for the great tip! If I pull the trigger on that 2017, this will be my first modification!

 

If you look around enough you can find some lock kits that fit the standard hole avoiding the need to drill. I used mailbox locks for mine, no drill required.

 

You have a link or more info on these?

 

I got mine here: https://padlocks4less.com/black-cam-lock/

 

On my dusty build page.. it needs to be updated but the pics are there.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...upremo-build-dclbor-4x4.409534/#post-11592699

 

Thanks man, I'll read through it.

 

This is perfect. I am going to copy this exactly if you don't mind. I don't have the power outlet on the other side, so I'm not too worried about having two sets of keys.

 

There are def advantages to replacing the knobs with locks as far as simplicity. The way I did it you could easily jack it up so it doesn't work good or at all. My main thing was wanting 1 key for 2 cabinets and 1 lock to open each cabinet for easier access.

 

I would do this if they weren;t plastic, so easy to bypass the lock.

 

I'm targeting that jerk walking by my truck in a parking lot or while my truck is parked somewhere in the woods. Anyone who really wants to get in there is gonna do it. Its just a deterrent against lazy thieves.

 

I'm a lazy thief. I only steal ideas.

 

Thank you Tacomaworld for that. Great times browsing all this info and dreamin up random crap to change on the Taco.

 

I just noticed the earlier Tacoma's have these extra storage pockets close to the wheel wells. Some are just in front and some are almost right over the wheel wells. I am thinking about adding these. Has anyone done this or does anyone know the part numbers? Thanks! I think 2014 and earlier.

 

nice idea- I will try this one weekend

 

They are about $85 each