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Pop N Lock Tailgate Lock Failures

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by michaelm204, Nov 30, 2019.

?

Has your Pop N Lock tailgate lock failed?

  1. Yes

    37.3%
  2. No

    62.7%
  1. Dec 26, 2019 at 5:29 PM
    #21
    AdamM

    AdamM Semi-pro aardvark wrangler

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    Adam
    Edmonton, AB
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    I have a 2014 that I bought new. I'm on my second pop n lock. The little plastic tab that actuates the rods on the inside of the tail gate broke off on my first one. It might have lasted two or three years. I went quite a while with the oem handle back on there because I figured it was just going to hspoen again with a new one. I blame the cold. The material they use seems to get very brittle in the cold, and we get some pretty extreme cold here. I finally broke down and got another one in the last year or so, since there's no other option. We'll see how long it lasts. I'm trying to be ultra gentle with it this time.
     
  2. Dec 26, 2019 at 5:57 PM
    #22
    furiousbob

    furiousbob Well-Known Member

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    First thing I installed on my '14. When you go to install it, it's becomes pretty apparent which plastic piece is going to break first. As an amateur fabricator, I'll be making new parts from steel once mine breaks. I've had mine for 6 months now, though, with no issues!
     
  3. Dec 27, 2019 at 9:42 AM
    #23
    Musubi3

    Musubi3 Well-Known Member

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    Good idea. I'm going to have to dive in and lube up mine. It's still working after having it on for a couple years, but I can tell it's getting harder to open. Some people try to open it and think it's locked, but really just requires more force. Probably will eventually break if I don't do anything.
     
  4. Dec 27, 2019 at 10:47 AM
    #24
    andyzx6r

    andyzx6r Well-Known Member

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    6 years running and mine is fine. I guess it really depends on your conditions. I live in a salt free environment and have a bakflip cover so maybe that makes the difference.
     
  5. Dec 27, 2019 at 11:16 AM
    #25
    furiousbob

    furiousbob Well-Known Member

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    Makes me feel better about my kit. I live in a salt-free, warm area as well. Time till tell!
     
  6. Dec 27, 2019 at 3:31 PM
    #26
    drewnali

    drewnali Well-Known Member

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    Drew
    Dunnellon Florida
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    I have the painted / keyed alike pop&lock, with the add on actuator. Just hit the two year mark with no issues!
    I don’t let anyone touch it though. Haha
     
  7. Dec 27, 2019 at 4:09 PM
    #27
    Sna

    Sna Well-Known Member

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    Mine broke within a month of installing it. It had to be drilled out to open my tailgate. Contacted Pop N Lock who warrantied it and sent a replacement. Sold the replacement and put the stock handle back in. Won’t buy again!!
     
  8. Dec 28, 2019 at 6:04 AM
    #28
    nasaengr

    nasaengr Well-Known Member

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    Since the handle is plastic, I was concerned about it's strength, especially in cold weather. What I do is before I pull the handle I push the top of the tailgate forward (toward the cab) to take the pressure off the locking mechanism. Then while pushing, pull the handle to open the tailgate. Opens nice and easy.
     
  9. Dec 28, 2019 at 6:34 AM
    #29
    george3

    george3 Well-Known Member

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    Seat belt beeper, Cabelas (Weathertech) floor liner gray, Covercraft Seat Savers in Taupe, Protecta Heavy Duty Rubber Truck Bed Mat, Pop n Lock PL5200, Pace Edwards Full Metal JackRabbit, Wolverine oil pan heater, Scangauge2, afe pro dry s filter, Remote Underbody 4 Piece LED Light Kit (White) used as Bed light, DIY Washable Cabin Air Filter, PA15-TOY, 4x4 Illuminated Switch, full synthetic, Redline Tuning Hood Support, Smittybilt Nerf Steps black powder-coated
    Never did this but will give it a shot - tx 4 the info.
     
  10. Dec 28, 2019 at 6:40 AM
    #30
    george3

    george3 Well-Known Member

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    Seat belt beeper, Cabelas (Weathertech) floor liner gray, Covercraft Seat Savers in Taupe, Protecta Heavy Duty Rubber Truck Bed Mat, Pop n Lock PL5200, Pace Edwards Full Metal JackRabbit, Wolverine oil pan heater, Scangauge2, afe pro dry s filter, Remote Underbody 4 Piece LED Light Kit (White) used as Bed light, DIY Washable Cabin Air Filter, PA15-TOY, 4x4 Illuminated Switch, full synthetic, Redline Tuning Hood Support, Smittybilt Nerf Steps black powder-coated
    I live in NJ and have a cover but it just butts the tailgate so water does get inside - the parts inside are metal and plastic so the metal rusts and bind up so the pop n lock won't work if you don't keep it lubed but this is in NJ don't know where U live or how the cover keeps the water out - covers the top of the tailgate ?
     
  11. Jun 1, 2020 at 9:32 PM
    #31
    ChrisNHernandez

    ChrisNHernandez Member

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    Oakland, CA
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    5100 Level, KO2's
    I would also gladly pay much more for a better quality tailgate lock. I had the standard key-only version that failed on me during a camping trip. I had to attack the tailgate cover with a Leatherman until I could wrangle my arm far enough in to pull the gate open.

    Even if you sold individual upgraded components based on the Pop N Lock platform, i'm sure you'd more than profit the time and investment you put into it.
     
  12. Jun 2, 2020 at 6:10 AM
    #32
    CHUCK W

    CHUCK W Well-Known Member

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    This is my concern too. I had one for a couple of years, then it started getting tougher to operate, so I took it off. I was worried that the stupid thing would break while locked with my cover closed. I'd have to cut the cover to get to the tailgate then destroy the tailgate to get into the lock.
     
  13. Jun 2, 2020 at 6:55 AM
    #33
    ardrummer292

    ardrummer292 500k or bust

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    #33
    Marc70 likes this.
  14. Jun 3, 2020 at 4:30 AM
    #34
    Marc70

    Marc70 Well-Known Member

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    Northern Ontario
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    Ardrummer, can you elaborate on what and how you rigged a 550 cord?
    I've just recently acquired my 2012 sport, with an electronic, no key, locking tailgate. And this thread has me worried.
    Truck has a few mods, but no literature.
     
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    #34
  15. Jun 3, 2020 at 9:17 AM
    #35
    ardrummer292

    ardrummer292 500k or bust

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    I roughly followed the setup shown in this thread:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pop-n-lock-pl8521-install-with-emergency-release.445898/

    Basically, you’re attaching a piece of cord to the solenoid (powered, moving part) so you can manually yank it down into the unlocked position. It’s not a refined solution, but it’s definitely functional. So long as you rig the loose end of the cord out of sight, you won’t be compromising the purpose of having a locking tailgate either.
     
    Marc70[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Jun 3, 2020 at 9:42 AM
    #36
    tomwil

    tomwil Well-Known Member

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    Mine was a manual lock. Broke when a little plastic post snapped off holding the tension spring. Could not open the tailgate without first removing the panel, which for me was difficult because I have the Mobtown tailgate reinforcement.

    Forced to put back on the OEM handle.
     
  17. Jun 3, 2020 at 10:10 AM
    #37
    ardrummer292

    ardrummer292 500k or bust

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    Sounds like a PL8521 is in your future. If you want the locking function back, anyway.
     

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