Locking Fuel Door Mod

Hey Guys, I know alot of you can't believe your $40,000+ Tacoma didn't come with a locking fuel door!

With a few wrecker parts I was able to make a reliable solution to avoid needing a key for a locking gas cap.

Disclaimer: this does require cutting your interior b-pillar trim and is not reversable without buying a new one.

Parts You'll Need:
2008-2011 Yaris Hatchback Release Handle
https://www.oempartworld.com/oem-parts/toyota-release-handle-7730652060
2008-2011 Yaris Hatchback Release Cable
https://www.oempartworld.com/oem-parts/toyota-release-cable-7703547050
1990-93 Celica Fuel Door Lock Retainer, Striker, or Latch Retainer
1988-91 Camry Fuel Door Hinge Spring
Dremel or Hacksaw
Exacto Knife or Utility Knife
Epoxy
Silicone
Rivet and Riveter
Touch up paint
A Screw

Remove the plastic around the fuel cap. 4 screws and you will need to remove your cap to pull it out of there. It seals around your filler tube but pulls right out. Start by cutting out the existing hole for the fuel door clip to accept the new release cable. I had to grade the plastic a bit because it was too thick to turn the release cable to lock it in place with the tabs. I used an exacto knife to notch each side of this hole.







Should fit in tight when you turn it to lock it in place.

You will need to remove the interior panels from the b-pillar to the back of the cab. The rear seat will need to come out to do so. This is where I ran the cable through to the cab. That location clears the plastics perfectly and I just siliconed the grommet to keep it sealed with the cable going through. Silicone is one of the last steps when you have your cable in the right position.







The trimming took the longest but I was also figuring it out from scratch. I used a hacksaw blade for accuracy and lack of a better option. I used a small round file to clean up the plastic to give it a good finish although this is all covered in the end.





Not my photo but this i what it looked like before I hacked it up.





It's a good idea to mask off the handle so you dont end up cutting it like I did.



You will want to get the release handle as close to the driver seat as you can. It will hit the door when its closed if it's not far enough over.





















Once your release hangle is where you want it, epoxy it in place. Make sure you are going to be clear of your side airbag sensor with a test fit of the panel before you epoxy it in place.

The cable has to be looped once in the pillar by the seat belt mechanism to pick up the slack because its slightly long for this application. Some of you might be inclined to shorten the cable with your mad skills but I'm too far from a wrecker to risk breaking my only cable.



The lock retainer on the fuel door has to be modified so that the alignment pin goes in the original 10mm bolt hole on the fuel door and I drilled a new hole and riveted the catch in place.

I doesn’t take much to make the spring clip work but I did end up cutting the end off and securing it with a screw and rubber spacer so it wouldn’t fall out on rough roads.

There's alot of photos I didn't take while doing this so if there's any clarification needed just ask. I might be able to take some more pictures for you.

 

Nice work!

 

Cool mod, but wondering why? I think siphoning from our trucks isn’t really possible as there’s a check valve in the filler neck that also blocks a hose from being pushed into the tank...

 

Clean install

 

Awesome! I had someone bugger with my tank last year .. thankfully nothing came of it

 

Awesome job. For me, if someone wants my gas that bad I guess they can have it. One nice thing about living in no where. Not really a concern.

 

Even if they could not get fuel out, I suppose some punk could dump something in.

 

I was just thinking of doing this to mine and you go and tell me this ^^.

Clean install OMT, thanks for the detailed write-up.

 

I like the peace of mind that no one is messing with my truck. I would like to shave the tab off the fuel door and get it repainted for a cleaner look too.

 

Theres definitly room for improvement. You should do it. I'd like to see what others do. Electronic Lexus or Highlander button release would be cool too.

 

Nice work

 

The small actuator that is being used for the locking tailgate mod could be wired up in a similar way for this. That way it would lock and unlock with the doors.

 

Nice work. I think a electronic actuator with a push button in cab would be sweet.

 

You going to have this be something you sell?

 

Haha subtle inquiry. But seriously @mesojdm it's only fitting to go along with your awesome switch panels.

 

Hey he needs to produce this to keep his Gashole protected

 

FYI to those that consider this mod. The 2018 Camry, my daughter has one, also has a full electric version of this and it uses a small Toyota momentary button. I do agree it would work well with @mesojdm panels.

 

Yeah.... anyone know a guy who makes custom super sweet shit for Tacoma’s???

 

Good to know which vehicles have the required parts. Thanks for the info.

This is the '18 Camry Lock Mechanism
https://www.oempartworld.com/oem-pa...vPWNhbXJ5Jnk9MjAxOCZ0PXNlJmU9Mi01bC1sNC1nYXM=

The momentary button doesn't match our trucks but the new CH-R has one.
https://www.oempartworld.com/oem-parts/toyota-fuel-door-switch-84841f4010

I prefer to find these parts at a wrecker but these links at least give you a part number.

 

Update: I washed my truck the other day. It was -30ºC and I went to fuel up after and the fuel door was stuck. I managed to reach the door and the release at the same time but it made me realize the emergency release of the electronic actuators would be a nice. Nobody likes a frozen fuel door!