Pop and Lock PL8521 Power Tailgate Install (2012 Tacoma)

Same here

 

I've had mine since 2012 with no issues. Use it daily. Doesn't mean somebody else's won't / didn't break but mine's been flawless. Used my own foam then before it came with it. Seems like they started including it about 2 years ago.

 

Also posted this in new members forum:

My brother and I wanted locking tailgates (both of us have 2014, mine is DCLB and his is DCSB). Although this site has lots of good information on this we eventually combined posts related to Pop & Lock 8521, power rear window mod, and miscellaneous lighting mods to come up with an installation that has factory appearance and didn't break into any factory wiring (warranty concerns). Neither of us needed to have the tailgate lock/unlock every the power door locks did.

Here is an attempt to give back to this community on what we did to install the PL8521.

Before we even ordered the locks we got the additional bracket from TacomaTruckParts.com , well worth the money. We then purchased the PL8521 from Amazon, ours came with the foam block on the bottom but we had to remove that and then attach it to the additional bracket:

We then did a lot of researching and buying of switches but none had a factory look so we ultimately landed on Toyota part number 84835-AE010 that we found referenced in the power rear window mod. The only downfall is that this switch will not fit the factory dash without trimming both the switch and the dash:

Switch prior to trimming:

Switch after trimming:

Dash prior to trimming:

Dash after trimming:

We then fabricated a harness with information from this thread for the plug for the switch: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/benwas-2005-power-sliding-rear-window-quick-install-kit.171805/
We used 2 add a fuses on the harness and tied into the "TAIL" fuse for the switch lighting and the "PWR Outlet" fuse for 12 volts without needing the key in the ignition:

Harness installed:

As far as the lock wire routing we did have an issue I hadn't seen discussed on this site (may have missed it), we had to drill a 1/4" hole in the plastic bulkhead connectors where the factory camera wire passes through:

This allowed us to follow the factory wire bundles all the way up to the drivers seat where we used a small body plug with a 3/16" hole to get the wires into the cab. The hole is undersized so no RTV is needed after the install (tighter than a knat's ass over a wine barrel):

The finished installation looks very clean without any wear and tear every time we lock/unlock the truck.

Thanks for the great site, its been a huge help!

 

Wow. Can you fly down here and do mine?...

 

Nice set up.

On that note I still have that same switch when I had done that power sliding rear privacy glass mod. I don't have no use for it since all the blanks on my 15 in the left hand side is all used up. If anyone wants it let me know, freebie. Even comes with a pigtail.

 

What happens if the power tailgate doesn't work and you have no key to get in ? Then what?

 

The interior tailgate is a panel held on with Allen ahead bolts. You unscrew those and the panel comes off, giving access to the lock. This is one of the reasons I got the tonneau cover that I did - it doesn't lock to the tailgate like some do. I can unlock and lift the tonneau to access the panel. If you have a tonneau that locks to the tailgate you're screwed.

 

I just ordered the pl 8540 witch comes with a codeable lock that way there is no worrys.

 

Same reason I went with the 8540 as well since I have a Bakflip G2 tonneau cover which does not lock itself, but requires the tailgate to be down to open. I've had mine installed for over a year now and wired it to the passenger door unlock. Been working flawlessly.

 

Thanks glad to hear .i feel better bout it

 

Got that kit when it first came out. Still working to this day.

 

Link? I might switch mine out. Especially if the wiring is similar.

 

Here you go, 1 left, 129.17$ free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s/185-6153330-7359568?k=pop+n+lock+pl8540

 

I believe if you already have the 8521 you can order the

$94 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400. Then you can keep the 8521 installed but have the bolt codeable option for manual unlocking.

 

Mine is arriving today from Amazon .there offering free two day shipping.great deal

 

Here is the piece that broke off on my Pop and Lock. Yeah the OEM one is plastic too. Well Im sure the OEM one is made from a harder plastic. My OEM one lasted 4 years. Pop and lock lasted 1 year. Piece of shit.

 

Well got mine PL5840 in last night and installed it today took me about 2 hours and works pretty good.

 

any idea's on what to do if you spliced the wrong wire? the instructions inside of my 8521 (2005 tacoma) state to splice into the blue and blue pink wire... which i did however it will now only lock the tailgate... or if i switch the wires at the actual lock it will only unlock the tailgate.

 

I believe it's the blue and black and blue and pink that should make them work both ways

 

Just finished the installation of the pop and lock

$107 PL8521 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma, Fits Models 2005 to 2015 (PL8521)

PL8521. Working perfect, this thread was very helpful! Thanks