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DIY - Tailgate Lock - (cheap quick writeup, lots of pics, 56k go walk your dog)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by lookylookitzadam, Jul 23, 2010.

  1. Jul 23, 2010 at 10:33 PM
    #1
    lookylookitzadam

    lookylookitzadam [OP] Retrofit Club!

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    Why this mod:
    So this write up is my method to combat tailgate theft. I already installed the hose clamp mod, but I didnt want to deal with the pop n lock because I didnt want another key and I did not want to pay for the electric model.

    What this mod does:
    This mod shoots barrel bolts through the frame of the tailgate and into the frame where the taillights reside. It basically creates locking pins on each side near the top of the tailgate. This is actuated with the car alarm.
    Anyway what you need is:

    What you need:
    2 typical car door lock actuators
    2 door lock bolts
    wire
    Drill
    t30 torx bit
    socket wrench


    STEPS:
    1. Start by opening up the tailgate and taking off the composite cover.
    [​IMG]

    2. You need to remove all the T30 bolts and then the cover should just lift off.
    [​IMG]

    3. Shot with the cover off
    [​IMG]

    4. Next you gotta remove the taillights for when we drill the holes unless you want to drill into your lights. Its just a few no. 10 bolts I believe, should be obvious.
    [​IMG]

    5. This is the barrel bolt that you need to install on each side, get a length that will work. The first ones I got were too short.
    [​IMG]

    6. The next steps kinda require some good old fashion intuition and measuring. Due to the variances in the locks used and positions you are on your own for drilling their location. What you need to do is drill as close to the top of the tailgate as possible to give yourself the strongest and most secure locking position.

    I eyeballed it all from inside the taillight space when the tailgate was shut. Then drilled through it. Here is a few shots. I ended up drilling through the lowest blue dot. When I got through the tail light portion and made a mark on the tailgate, I dropped the gate and continued drilling.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Next you have to align the barrel bolt with the holes you drilled and then drill its mounting locations into the tailgate.

    [​IMG]
    Holes drilled
    [​IMG]

    7. Bolt up the barrel bolt
    [​IMG]

    Shot of the barrel bolt extended
    [​IMG]

    8. Next it is time to get those actuators installed. These are the ones I used.
    [​IMG]

    When +12v and ground are applied to the wires in one configuration the actuator expands, when you flip the polarity, the actuator contracts. I wired up a few relays and connected them to my alarm door triggers. I used this diagram: (yours may vary based on alarm outputs) stolen from the12volt.com
    [​IMG]

    9. Align the actuators and the metal pins in line with the barrel bolt. They need to not bind.
    [​IMG]

    10. Test fit everything mounted on the top side, it makes things easier.
    [​IMG]

    11. I just bent the rods securely around the bolt tab, and its been working for me. Once it all works as required, mount on the underside of the tailgate so you can reinstall the composite cover
    [​IMG]

    12. Connect the wires and you should be good to go. There are a few places to run the wires out of your tailgate.
    [​IMG]

    I will provide more pictures if people want, or some videos next week if requested.

    Thanks and good luck.

    Post questions here since others may have the same ones.
     
    Jake Kern likes this.
  2. Jul 24, 2010 at 6:31 AM
    #2
    Steig

    Steig Well-Known Member

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    Very Nice Job !
     
  3. Jul 24, 2010 at 6:36 AM
    #3
    floridaoccifer

    floridaoccifer Civil Servant

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  4. Jul 24, 2010 at 6:59 AM
    #4
    flightcancled

    flightcancled Addicted

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    Awesome!

    Brand, Model and cost of the actuators?
     
  5. Jul 24, 2010 at 7:04 AM
    #5
    ycart1201

    ycart1201 Well-Known Member

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    nice write up!

    Nathan
    ycart1201
     
  6. Jul 24, 2010 at 2:34 PM
    #6
    lookylookitzadam

    lookylookitzadam [OP] Retrofit Club!

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    They are just the standard door lock actuators. DEI makes them as well as a ton of other companies. Any alarm shop will sell them. They are the ones used for installing keyless entry and older cars.

    They cost about $10-$20 a piece, depending on where you get them.

    Got mine at a local shop. He wanted $30 each and I laughed and said Amazon had them for $8.99. He checked online and told me I could have them for $10 a piece. Any install shop will have plenty of these.
     
  7. Jul 24, 2010 at 2:41 PM
    #7
    austex

    austex Member

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  8. Jul 24, 2010 at 2:46 PM
    #8
    Asgard

    Asgard Well-Known Member

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    Similar to the electronic pop n lock but about $80 cheaper.
     
  9. Jul 24, 2010 at 2:57 PM
    #9
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Looks far more secure than the pop n lock. Nice work and writeup.
     
  10. Jul 24, 2010 at 2:59 PM
    #10
    Fortech

    Fortech Well-Known Member

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    :eek:

    I was like pffff! when I saw the barrel locks, but the portion of the post after that really opened my eyes!

    Props for a job well done!!:bowdown:
     
  11. Jul 24, 2010 at 3:00 PM
    #11
    JAG

    JAG Well-Known Member

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    WOW! Great job!
     
  12. Jul 24, 2010 at 3:28 PM
    #12
    afd23a

    afd23a Well-Known Member

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    awesome writeup and mod!
     
  13. Jul 24, 2010 at 3:44 PM
    #13
    chaztoyo

    chaztoyo Well-Known Member

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    Very creative idea, and very well executed too.
    Thanks for sharing the writeup and the pics.
     
  14. Jul 24, 2010 at 3:51 PM
    #14
    ThreeMan

    ThreeMan Opinions Vary...

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    Nice mod and well done. +1:thumbsup:
     
  15. Sep 5, 2010 at 1:55 AM
    #15
    ShaLor

    ShaLor Well-Known Member

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    Custom mud flap removal from rock on trail :), Tailgate Hose Clamp Mod, Cobra 75 wx st CB install, 19 more D-Rings in the bed, Satoshi Grill, Fog Lamp on any time mod. Relentless Fab CB antenna hood mount, LED bed lights, Demello Hybrid Sliders, Undercover Tonneau Cover, Lighted 4x4 switch
    It would be great to see how you ran the wires.
     
  16. Sep 5, 2010 at 2:48 AM
    #16
    jesus

    jesus Well-Known Member

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    x2.. hey do ya think one could tap into the door lock and have them run off of them????
    nice job
     
  17. Sep 5, 2010 at 6:39 AM
    #17
    Raylo

    Raylo Well-Known Member

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    I like it! If my Dynolock ever dies I may convert to this and I have all the wiring all ready to go. This will provide a much more solid and secure locking method than the Dynolock, that simply interferes with the tailgate latch mechanism.

    One mod to this I would look into is to not use barrel bolts and instead get a piece of 1/4" aluminum or steel bar stock, center drill it, insert the actuator rod, then epoxy or weld them together. Attach this to the tailgate with an appropriately sized u-clamp to allow it to slide.

    Very good idea and design!
     
  18. Sep 5, 2010 at 7:04 AM
    #18
    ImpulseRed008

    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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    Great job!!
     
  19. Sep 5, 2010 at 8:25 AM
    #19
    jackwithcorona

    jackwithcorona Well-Known Member

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    Good job I like this better than thw dynolock as well
     
  20. Sep 5, 2010 at 11:55 AM
    #20
    lembowski

    lembowski Well-Known Member

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    Hum......we need a San Diego mod day :)
     

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