BUYER BEWARE: 3rd Gen Plug-N-Play Tailgate Bolt-N-Lock & Tailgate Bolt-N-Open

My name is there! Awesome thank you so much!

 

Good move. I broke the plastic. Fortunately actuators are fairly cheap on Amazon

 

Just found this thread, I am a little confused. I have the

$170 PL8535 POP & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tundra, 2007 to 2021 Toyota Tundra, Truck OEM Lock, Anti Theft, Truck Tailgate Lock Replacement, Easy to Install, Made in The USA (PL8547TUN)

PL8535 Pop&Lock kit but have yet to install it. Would this harness help me? This looks like it's more of a complete kit?

 

Just a few of notes from my install that others might find useful.

Mounting the actuator: I mounted my actuator with 1 inch piece of angled steel with a 1/4 inch piece of weathering stripping between it and the tailgate (photo below). This seemed to work out pretty well and it allowed me to adjust the how far the actuator sat above the tailgate without taking everything apart. There are also some nice alternatives that others have mentioned in this thread as well.

Bullet connectors: The bullet connectors on the wires to the actuator came apart on me (as others have experienced). In my case it was on me because I plugged them into the wiring harness but needed to take it apart because I didn't like how I routed the harness out the tailgate. However, I was able to reconnect them by re-inserting and re-crimping the wires to the connection on the bullet connector again and also adding a little solder. I did this without having to remove the mounted actuator. Easy fix.

Attaching the actuator to the locking mechanism: I used a terminal connector to link the actuator to locking mechanism. I found that you put it in between piece linking the lock and the rest of the lock mechanism ensure it stays on (see video below to see what I'm talking about).

For routing the wiring harness under the truck: On my truck, the OEM wiring harness that goes from the rear of the truck to the front is on the drivers side. I'm not sure if this is because I have a 2019 or SR but this meant I had to route my own path for the wiring harness on the passenger side. Not a big deal. I basically followed and zip tied it to the frame making sure to stay well clear of the exhaust. If others need/want details of how I did this I can post some pics.

Overall it took about 1.5 hours (went slow to make sure I didn't screw anything up too bad)

Thanks for a kit nice @KTJO 4x4 ! I'm enjoying the satisfying clunk that tells me my tailgate is locked!



https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8s81X8SA98

 

You can order just the Plug and Play harness which will allow you wire your Pop and Lock to your truck's electrical system without having to splice into the existing wiring. The last photo on the first post of this thread has a clear photo of it.

 

How did you attach the terminal connector to the actuator rod to keep it from slipping when locking? Any close up pics of this?

 

I made a right angle bend in the actuator rod, crimped and soldered the terminal connection to the rod.

Unfortunately I didn't take a great picture of it installed (the first photo below is a blown up image from the video in the post above). However here's a second photo of the piece I practiced on before doing it for the final install (Since the rod in the kit is much longer than what you need, I practiced making the attachment with the extra length I had).

 

that looks mighty convenient but damn $45 for just the harness or $65 for the whole kit when the Pop & Lock cost me $70 alone. That's a real bummer. I should probably just get the whole kit and try to sell what I have..

 

Like you I already had the pop and lock kit and just went with the harness. For me not having to tap into the trucks wiring harness was worth it. It literally was just plug and play and if I ever need to take it out I can unplug it in about a minute.

 

Thanks! That's what I needed!

 

Does this look like the same spacer but on eBay?

Rubber Anti-vibration Spacer 1" OD x 1/4" ID x 1.5" Thick (Item# X19-11)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rubber-Ant...531422?hash=item281b2b8f5e:g:8ggAAOSwstNawC4L

 

@bcgill

I like the angle iron. I was going to look for some square stock. Great idea, thanks

 

Sorry for the delay, long day. They look identical to me.

 

I got my full kit in the mail today. Thanks a lot @KTJO 4x4

 

I soldered my ring terminal on. See post :
https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/20004976

 

The angle steel was a good idea!

 

I agree

 

That looks good. What kind of solder did you use?

 

Silver bearing

 

Thanks! I’m going to get that.