DIY pop and lock for a fraction of the cost

If a post similar to mine exist please delete.

First step: purchase these items if you don't already have them
20 feet of blue 16ga wire
20 feet of green 16ga wire
10ft of split loom(the last foot or so of my wire is exposed before entering the cab so get 15-20ft if it will bother you)
2 posi taps
2 Male bullet wire connectors
zip ties
Heavy duty actuator:

$19 Directed Electronics Install Essentials 524N High Power Door Lock Motor

https://www.amazon.com/Install-Esse...&keywords=effective+vehicle+security+actuator
The two most important things: BEER and PATIENCE

Step one: Remove tailgate panel with T30 torx bit

Step two: pop the two clips using a flat head screw driver

Step three: drill a hole in each clip just big enough to pass the two strands of wire. I think I used a 17/32 bit, 1/4 in might be better.

Step four: tape wires to zip tie and feed through tailgate exiting where you previously removed the plastic clip. feed the wires through the holes you drilled then out underneath the tailgate.




Step five: Once all the wiring is under the truck, feed the wire through the loom. Next, run the wire following the factory bundle towards the front of the truck. Stay away from the exhaust. Zip tie in place.
Step six: Remove the rubber plug underneath the passenger side floor board. I cut a slit in the plug to feed the wires through. I used the same method as before with the zip tie. I pushed up on the styrofoam while feeding the zip tie with my wires to the door seal.


Step seven: use the posi taps to tap into the correct wires: I followed the youtube video of the guy installing a pop and lock on his 2018. (2018s only) Green goes to red/orangish with silver dash and blue goes to white with silver dash. check wiring for different year models.

Step eight: drill the hole in the actuator out to 17/32s(I think this is the size I used, start smaller and work your way up to be sure) then test to be sure it's a snug fit on the locking mechanism on the truck. Also drill out the slot on the support bracket with 1/4in bit, this will allow the 10mm bolt you will use later to fit.
Step nine: mount actuator to supplied metal brace. I mounted the front of the actuator in the 4th slot.

Step ten: the most frustrating part! Bend brace to correct height, it took a lot of bending and re-bending but be patient you will get it. I stopped and had a few beers during this process.

Step eleven: mount to truck. I used the same location as what pop and lock suggest. remove the existing 10mm bolt and reuse to mount your actuator.


Step twelve: test, test and test some more. Adjust the level and angle of bracket where the locking is the smoothest. During the testing, my locking and unlocking was reversed so i simply switched the wires from the actuator instead of messing with my posi taps. The blue wire from the actuator will connect to the green wire and the green wire from the actuator will connect to the blue wire. I also removed the black rubber thing that was on the actuator and trimmed some of the plastic where it would not rub on truck mechanism. you will see what I mean when you get to this step. Hope this helps. Here is a reference on bending/height.

You can also refer to @BlueBottle DIY bed lights and pop and lock for more info.

 

You sir are my hero. Great write up!! Thank you

 

Very nice! Saves good money!

 

I'm going to do this. Nice write up. Thank you for posting this.

 

Very nice!

 

My first attempt at DIY. Ask questions if I wasn’t clear on anything. Good luck!

 

So essentially if we swap the wiring that goes to the interior per your instructions there should be no need to reverse at the actuator correct? I was about to order a Pop N Lock as I had it on my Tacoma and this is a must have but if I can get it done for $16 rather than $95 than I am all for the little extra work. Thanks for the write up!

 

Awesome write-up. Might have to try this

 

Great write up!

 

Yes that is correct. It was just easier for me to switch the wires on actuator

 

Thanks for writing this up!

 

Thanks for the write-up! Friend of mine and I have these actuators and have been waiting to install...I think we will get to it now lol

 

How’s it holding up? Any issues yet. I have ordered same actuator and just waiting when I have some free time to install

 

Got her done. The 20’ of wire was a good call - perfect amount needed for his CM.

 

No issues yet!

 

Finally had some free time and installed the popper. Working good so far. Thanks for the write up...made it so much easier

 

What did you guys do to lock the eye on the pin? My eye portion of the actuator spun, so I used Gorilla Super Glue to solve that, but I made a "U" and had to nut and bolt it to the actuator arm.

 

I was having trouble at first with the actual eye coming off the pin. After moving around actuator and getting a better angle I didn’t have to glue it down I was thinking about it or adding a small hole to the pin and secure it with a small cotter pin.

 

This is sweet, thanks for the write up, will be giving this a go soon!

 

Had a Pop and Lock on my 2016 Tacoma and the last few weeks without it on the Tundra made me really realize how spoiled I was by having it. I had some down time at work this morning as they sent me to another station that was short staffed and also much slower to fill in. After getting our morning duties done I pulled the truck in and got to work. The actuator kept popping off the locking mechanism driving me nuts. I came up with a work around. It was either this way(zip-tie) or duct tape. Seems to be holding up well and we shall see how it holds up long term. In the end I’m a happy camper. Saved a bunch going this route rather than ordering the Pop and Lock and overall it was an easy install. Reversed jaredmillerdvm's wiring instructions under the kick panel so the green and blue stayed consistent front to rear.

 

mine is still going strong after drilling out the hole on actuator but if it fails zip tie is in its future. good job!!!!!!

 

Thank you for the write up sir, thanks to you I was able to get it done for a fraction of the cost.

 

I drilled the hole out with a 17/32 bit(i'm pretty sure this is the size). snug fit and hasn't budged since.

 

I tried that but there wasn't enough room for it all to move properly. Would love to see this in action.

 

Thanks!

 

Nice write up! Was actually talking last night about wanting to do this... now i can do it and actually afford it. @Squatting Pigeon we could do this too

 

I will try and pull the cover off the tailgate tomorrow to take a video. Be sure not to tighten the zip-tie super tight. I left a little bit of play in it. Sorry I probably should of mentioned it in my last post.

 

I just ordered all the parts needed on Amazon for just under $20. I already have the electrical connectors.

 

What wires did you non 2018 guys tap into? I was planning to use the ones @BlueBottle used for my 2015. @texasrho83