Pop N Lock Tailgate Lock Failures

Hello all of Tacoma World,

My name is Michael a Mechanical Engineer EIT from Canada. I am looking into a solution to lock the tailgate on my 2015 Toyota Tacoma DCLB but it appears that the only option is a Pop N Lock and is prone to failures.

My questions to the community, is this still a common issue? Has anyone developed a fix for this?

I am looking into purchasing one for myself, putting it on my Tacoma, using it until a "potential" failure occurs, then developing a fix for it. Let me know what the general consensus is.

Thank you,

Michael

 

Welcome , no experience with one but I heard they work for the most part , just dont be man handling the plastic handle

 

Problem is, in this part of the world, they break easily if frozen. Just what people have told me here.

I don't have one and this is why...would like a locking tailgate though.

 

I’ve had mine for about a year without issue. It does seem a little delicate compared to OE so I treat it as such. Don’t be an animal and it will work fine.

 

Check this out, is this applicable?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pop-lock-pl8521-install-with-new-bracket.348117/#post-9302576

 

I have had mine on for two years now and it still works but not without issue ]. I find that the lock sticks when when trying to lock / unlock it from road salt / dirt getting into it. I have only tried graphite so far, and that didn't help at all, so any lubricant recommendations would be appreciated.

I would purchase it again, but I am interested in replacing the lock cylinder at some point as it is not the best quality, nor is the handle. But it keeps my bed and tailgate far more secure that without it. I am happy I only paid for the basic lock though and not the additional matching key, or key fob wiring, as the quality is pretty poor for the money in my opinion.

I just wish their was a more robust product both handle and lock wise.

 

Looks like the guy disappeared 2 1/2 years ago. The website is down, and people saying so is the email address.

 

How about these, look to be the same?

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/223494766724

 

If you’re an engineer I would think you could fab up your own bracket using a actuator from ebay or Amazon . I was going to do this same project using one online there cheap like $10 but I just don’t have the time to mess with it. I believe there was a thread it may been for a Chevy or ford but same process that someone did just that

 

These look 'exactly' like the ones the guy was selling.

 

The Pop'n'Lock latch on my 2015 has been fine for a year and half. One minor issue is that the black finished plastic is fading a bit, showing an odd pattern of spots on the latch surface.

I don't have the electric unlock feature, so can't comment on the reliability/durability of that part (nor the value of those support brackets).

My Gen 1 Tacoma has also had a Pop'n'Lock for many years. it's the kind with a separate tiny key. The Gen 2 manual latch with the BOLT codeable lock is a terrific system -- the ability to key the latch to the ignition key is most useful.

 

Mine broke one summer morning after two years of being careful when I used it

 

Question, I see both a "Pop N lock", and a "Pop & Lock" out there. Are they the same company and has anyone checked the other one out is they are?

 

I've had a manual (keyed for the truck key) pop-n-lock for 3 years now without issue. I do keep it cleaned and lubed and about once a year I take the tailgate cover off, powerwash the inside of the tailgate (it gets pretty dirty in there with trail dust and road grime) and spray the mechanism with silicon lube. The black plastic has faded but I keep it reasonably black with Mcguire's DUB tire treatment. Works better then their Back-to-Black for this application.

 

I bought a Fold-A-Cover G4 Elite for my 2015 and it has a footmans loop at the rear panel that slips into a loop on the inside of my tailgate. So when you lock the cover, it locks the tailgate. This way I get the best of 2 ways - a quality made hard cover that opens from front or rear and a tailgate lock that is failure proof.

 

Yes I am from Manitoba neighboring the province you live in and the temperatures here I think are what likely contributes to most failures. The failures I have seen is where a plastic portion on the solenoid that actuates the locking mechanism breaks off. The colder temperatures making the plastic brittle would do just that.

 

Yes this is my plan and likely will be what I end up doing. Designing my own brackets to fit a actuator of my choice and then tying them together into the OEM tailgate handle.

 

I’m on my second one. The wife broke mine. She wasn’t familiar with it and managed to break it. I wish there was another option, I hate having this flimsy ass handle on a truck known for its reliability, but there isn’t really another option. I’d gladly pay double for one that was better built.

 

I'd gladly pay more for one that was built with stronger materials!!!

 

I have not read all the answers but I've had mine for years - you have to take the plastic cover off the the tailgate once a year or more and lube everything also spray lock saver or silicone spray into the lock where the key goes in. This is what will keep it working and what I did when it stopped working because I didn't follow my own advise on schedule.