OEM Tailgate Lock Kit

I just ordered the electric tailgate lock kit from AMZ. How difficult is the installation?

 

Not that difficult at all. Take your time, read the instructions. Took me less than 2 hours and that was on a hot summer day when I kept taking breaks because of the heat. Not much more difficult than doing an oil change.

 

Longest part of the task is routing the wiring and making it look good so it doesn't dangle down and look like shit. Super easy.

 

Agreed. Easy install, but luckily I did it when my truck was brand new, so everything was clean and rust free.

Speaking of rust, I’m not sure if it is an issue where you live, but while you have the inner tailgate cover off, might as well hit the interior with some rust inhibitor (cosmoline, etc.).

 

I am interested in adding the electric tailgate lock to my Tacoma. I was quoted an install price from my dealer at about $400.

I found the part on the Toyota Accessories Page for $169.

Are the ones on Amazon the same as the ones Toyota sells?

 

I'd recommend the OEM kit. I believe the other poster did mean Amazon. There are some Toyota dealers that sell OEM parts on Amazon.

This is one of the few mods I did to my truck and it was definitely worth it.

 

I may need to see a video of the install before deciding if I wish to conquer an install such as this. It sounds complicated.

 

Here is a link that contains the pdf install instructions, as well as lots of other helpful info in the thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/21973091

 

If you do even the smallest bit of maintenance on your truck, the OEM kit is not complicated. You are literally just unscrewing, screwing, plugging, and unplugging things. The most complicated part was marking the position of the tailgate camera harness with a bit of whiteout so that you can put it in the same position when you replace the mounting clip with the new one that supports the tailgate unlock cable.

 

Read the instructions and watch a video or two and you will be fine. This job is well within most folk's mechanical capabilities. And the plug & play electronics part is what really makes it clean and easy to do. Grab a six pack and a few backwoods cigars and have fun!

 

I installed this on my truck at the beginning of 2021. It's not difficult at all and definitely not worth $400 to have someone else install. The worst part was the dirt falling off from the bottom of the frame into my eyes and mouth at times - my fault for not wearing protection to prevent that. Even with the dirt - not worth $400.

 

The OEM version on AMZ ships from a Toyota dealer so there’s that.

 

I grabbed my kit off Amazon. Was OEM and installed very easily. Probably took about 45 min taking my time and fighting off hoards of mosquitoes.

One I used (DCSB):

$162 Toyota Genuine 2019 & Newer Tacoma Short Wheelbase Tailgate Lock (PK3B6-35JS0)

Amazon.com: TOYOTA Genuine 2019 & Newer Tacoma Short Wheelbase Tailgate Lock (PK3B6-35JS0) : Automotive

And reference this guys vid for the install procedure: Toyota Tacoma Mods | OEM Power Tailgate Lock Kit | PK3B6-35JS0 | PK3B6-35JL0 | Amazon - YouTube

 

Agree with all the feedback on the ease of this install. I did mine a couple of months ago.

Most challenging is removing the passenger side panel without breaking plastic insert points. Take your time and enjoy the results.

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EDIT:

 

I concur with all above, this wasn't hard and took me about 45 min to an 1 hr...

 

I just got the OEM installed this past week. It was pretty much plug and play and watching the video on YouTube made it EZ. I used more zip ties than what the box came with though.

I wouldn’t pay $400 for someone else to do it. Rather used that for other mods or upgrades.

 

I just ordered the OEM version from Amazon, I have the pop n lock on our 17' but it's LOUD so decided to get the OEM version this time.
I watched the below video and he covers all the steps pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz-8j4S3Dkw

 

This is the video I used for guidance.

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I installed the OEM kit yesterday, and it wasn't quite as easy as I thought it might be. Replacing the tailgate bezels which secure the tailgate camera and the new lock cables was tricky to orient, and get securely attached to the tailgate/body. Not much room to maneuver, but I got it. The electrical connections on the passenger side were easy. Getting the cable through the floor under the passenger seat was a pain because it was really tight under the carpet. Cable ties under the truck were not horrible but it would have been a lot easier if the truck was on a lift. I didn't disconnect the battery because the kit was plug and play. Anyway, I'm glad that I did it. Also, my truck has Fluid Film so it was messy under there. I appreciate the advice that you guys provided.

 

For anyone looking to do this in the future I ordered mine from BAM Wholesale. With shipping it was around $142.