Installing a cam lock for your bedside storage mod

Has anyone tried these locks on the storage compartments under the back bench seats? Just wondering if they would fit those as well.

Thanks

 

Did exactly that on my 2011 using vending machine style locks. You should note that unless you affix a stiffener along the inside of the compartment, especially the longer one, those locks can be easily defeated. I pop riveted a 1/8" X 1" piece of aluminum flat stock along the front, inside and close to the cam slot. The length of the flat stock that I used spanned the entire length of each individual compartment. Doing this makes pulling and flexing the compartment base away from the lid much more difficult. This was a very inexpensive and easy mod. If my '11 wasn't totaled I'd post some pics. I'll eventually do the same mod to my '17. Took about an hour to do both compartments and the total cost was around $20.
I purchased the locks on ebay and the flat stock from Rocky's Hardware.

 

Just switched the cabinets from my 2016 I traded in to my new 2012, saved me some work and fits great

 

thanks for this.

 

DIY FTW, $10

 

good link.

Q: is what's called 'hinges' on the mfg instruction page simply bent tabs?

Q: without a matching steel frame, is the door alone false security?

 

Nothing is fool or theft proof but I doubt you'll just pop these with a screw driver. Added security? Yes. Infallible? What is?
Besides, mods when it comes down to it are basically "bling". Some are more useful than others. It's all about making it your own. Tacomas are perfectly serviceable as they come from the factory. Modding is just one's own idea of customization and making it stand out from a stock, cookie cutter truck or for improving performance. For me the steel doors work for someone else maybe not. All in what makes you you happy Bud.
Mod on!

 

since there were two warnings regarding fitting the tongue/ latch gadget on the cylinder lock, I became quite anxious as to the real value of such an endeavor.

but I really like the cute little truck in the post; it made me smile. it's cunnin'

 

Yup! Both compartments. I used vending machine style locks on mine. You'll need to reinforce the front of the large compartment on the inside with a piece of aluminum flat stock on the inside, otherwise you can flex the front outward to defeat the lock. Grilling right now, can answer any questions you have later. PM me if interested. Can't overcook my t-bone. Life has priorities.

 

2019 storage is so small lol

 

Tuffy makes a security box to replace the driver's side storage compartment. It is steel, lockable, and nearly doubles the storage volume. Very easy to install too.

https://www.tuffyproducts.com/p-235-toyota-tacoma-bed-security-lockbox.aspx

 

now that makes some sense.

 

What size is the cam lock?

 

It is the standard size that you can find at Lowes / HomeDepot. I think that I used 5/8in long?

 

$214.....



Can you even fit $214 worth of stuff in it?

 

Awesome idea! Definitely going to have to do this. Thanks!

 

Depends on what you put in it. I mostly use mine for my tiedown straps, tow hitch, and a recovery strap. All together, they are probably not worth $214, but they won't all fit in the stock unlockable box. If I wound up getting stuck on a job site or 30 miles down the Padre Island National Seashore and went to look for them and they were not there because they had been stolen, it would cost me significantly more than $214 to get somebody to come out there to pull me out.

 

What would be worth it to actually put in those bed storage containers that can withstand getting wet? I put my ratchet straps in there but over the course of 2 years, they just rusted to crap

 

I have searched to find modifications to the built-in rear storage boxes in certain gen 3 Tacos. I just got this truck in September 2017, and soon after cleaning all the dirt out of them and off-roading just a little bit; they soon filled with dusty dirt again. I had written them off as viable storage for anything I cared about until I discovered a way to keep out that dust and dirt.
The main problem is the large tab openings and drain ports. They're too big and have no covers or cups around them that help keep dirt out. You can see daylight from the openings and 3 drain holes in the bottoms. So, I covered them using black half-inch black poly pipe pieces that have been cut with scissors lengthwise; long enough to cover the holes with room enough to seal the end holes left behind with caulking. These form a cup for the tabs.
The six bolts are torx T-30s. Remove them; and pull the boxes and clean them; and use super glue to attach pieces of the pipe over the openings to hold them in place. The ends of the pipe should extend about a half inch or so past the openings. They should be long enough to allow for some caulking to plug the end holes. The cheap poly pipe was 85 cents from a scrap bin at my local plumbing supply.
The 90° female black pipe ends were 65 cents apiece. I bought 9 of them. 3 for the two boxes, and 3 for the drains in the bed. My thought process is that I do not want to block the drains, as water drainage is important; but those simple openings as they are seem to attract dirt and dust like they were. Simply adding a 90° turn to its path, it should reduce the amount of dirt entering the storage boxes. The openings for the tabs are too big, and needed cups around them to protect against dirt and dust. The pipe pieces make the cups for the plastic door tabs. I used some roof cement that I had on hand to use as sealant around the tube tab "cups", but this isn't the perfect choice as it took a long time to harden. Latex or silicone caulking or sealant would probably be ideal and could be smoothed to look nicer. I finished the job by using a bike tire inner tube cut into pieces to make a gasket around the flat edges of the box. I will likely put some vinyl thread protector caps over the ends of the pipe to help protect against any more transference of dirt from the outside world, but they are easily removed to aid in drainage. I glued 3 each 90° elbows to the bottom of the bed over the drains with their openings facing toward the rear. I used the roof cement and some pieces of packing tape to hold them in place to allow them to harden without falling off.
If there is a better way to help these boxes stay tidy and clean, I'd like to know about it. Feel free to ask questions or comment. I know it looks a bit crappy with the roof cement; but that is all I had on hand, and it was from a tube that had dried, so I cut it open and used a long screw to dip into it and apply it around the edges of the pieces of pipe to seal them and help hold them in place.

 

Awesome that looks like it would do the job nicely