DIY Guide to installing OEM led Bed Light and Pop & lock for tailgate

I thought these two items should be done at the same time as the wiring path is the same for the most part. I was able to insert the pop lock wiring in the led bed lamp wire loom that came with it so I just ran the wire once and looks a lot cleaner that way. I also believe that both of these items are must have mods for everyone's tundra. I should have done it sooner.

These items were installed on my 2016 Tundra Platinum. I believe 2nd gens may have slightly different wiring to tap into.

I am not a professional by any means. Just wanted to share my experience and photos to help guide people that want to attempt to do it themselves. I am not responsible for any damage(s) done to your vehicle. Please read all instructions carefully prior to performing any work. Always disconnect the negative from you battery prior to doing any electrical work. If you do not feel comfortable performing these, please take it to a professional installer.

1) Tailgate Pop & Lock - Model PL 8535 for TOYOTA Tundra ‘07’ and up - used to automatically lock/unlock your tailgate with your key fob. Why would anyone not want this feature!?

Found the best price for it on Amazon and it came with same day prime delivery. Can't beat that!

$169 POP & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tundra, 2007 to 2021 Toyota Tundra, Truck OEM Lock, Anti Theft, Truck Tailgate Lock Replacement, Easy to Install, Made in The USA (PL8547TUN)

https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Lock-PL8535-Tailgate-Toyota/dp/B00LST3022

I read a lot of complaints about this lock being too loud upon locking & unlocking. To help that I applied Dynamat in the inside of my tail gate(Operation isn't too loud. I guess the dynamat does help). I also liberally applied lithium grease to the moving parts of the pop & lock and the oem assembly(picture was prior to application).




I ran the Pop & Lock wiring next to the camera cable out of the tailgate. I notched the plastic square on the bed to slip the wire in there. On the tail gate, I used the hole on the passenger side. Worked out perfect. Zip tie it in place.




I then followed the instructions and ran the cable down the passenger frame rail and zip tied it to the main harness that runs that way. This is where I ran the cable with the led bed lamps and consolidated them into 1 wire loom for a cleaner install. Under the passenger footwell area there is a rubber grommet that is not being used. You have to lift the carpet and the foam to get access to it. I drilled a hole big enough so my wire loom will be snug in it.

Both cable for Pop&Lock and Led bed lamps are in this loom.


At this point I separated the Pop & Lock wiring since it is terminated at the passenger side kick panel. The led bed lamps go to the driver side. The instructions in my package was wrong and backwards. If you download the instructions from Pop & Lock website it is actually correct. They must have corrected it at some point and I got the old one.

This is the correct wiring for my 2016:
(I prefer to use Posi-taps instead of the quick connects that come with them. They have a better connection and does less damage to the wires)

It is the bottom blue connector on the passenger kick panel.

• Pop & Lock Green to the Blue with silver dash
• Pop & Lock Blue to the White with silver dash

Pop & Lock installation is now complete. Test before closing everything.

*note* Pop & Lock is tied into your passenger door lock/unlock. So I programmed my truck for 2 click unlock so it only unlocks the tailgate whenever I click the fob unlock x2.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
For 2018 trucks:

**********************************************************************

2) OEM led bed lamps - Part Number: 00016-34089. This can be bought through most Toyota Dealership. @TRDSparks should be able to get these shipped to you.

Install is pretty straight forward. I followed the instructions to a T. 3 holes for each lamp it needed. I drilled through my factory bed liner with no trouble. Just be sure to use a center punch so your drill won't slide. Also I used some black touch up paint on the holes I drilled to prevent rust.

Following the instructions, these lamps will illuminate every time your cargo lamp is on.

1. If switch is in middle - will illuminate when one of the cab doors are open or you click unlock on the key fob
2. If switch is in on position - it will stay on
3. If switch is in off position - it will never illuminate

This is a great mod for people with tonneau covers and caps. Before this mod it was difficult seeing stuff in my bed. This should have been installed on every truck from the factory.


**Note** I am also attaching the instructions PDF for both of these so everything is in one thread.

 

For those wondering where to buy the Posi-taps, here is a link.
https://www.amazon.com/Posi-tap-Connector-16-18-Gauge-Wire/dp/B00389R8KU

 

Nice work and nice write-up.

 

Joon, showed me his and now with your write up I guess I've got no excuse not to do this

 

Thanks. When I was searching here was information here and there. Thought it would be great to have all the information on 1 thread.

Yup you should! I shouldn't have waited this long. I had the led lamps for a while but waited for the install since I didn't want to run wires twice. Definitely excellent mods for the few dollars they cost.

 

Thanks for the write-up! I need to get around to doing these mods now

 

Glad to help you spend more money anytime

 

Super clean install and awesome write up/pics. Great timing as I'm was just starting to plan out my accessory lighting this morning.

 

Great write up!!! Looks amazing!! I gotta thank you for helping me make my decision to spend more money easier!!
You make it look so simple.....

 

Not to be a negative Nancy but I noticed you have a spray in Berliner. Pretty sure my warranty (Line-x) would be voided if I drilled holes thru it like you did for the bed lights - not sure about the warranty w/ a factory spray in but usually they send them off to a 3rd party to do anyways.

Factory or not it may be good to check your warranty before doing this mod.

Maybe I'm being anal but it would def make me think twice.

 

Sweet, glad to be of assistance.

Haha thanks, it was easier than I thought. I did it all without using a jack. I think it took me a total of 3 hours to install everything. I am very meticulous of my installation too though so keep that in mind. I like my installs to look like factory.

That's not being negative, its being a realist. It's defiantly good to bring up. I doubt it would actually cause an issue though. It's kinda like lifting trucks void warranties. Does it really? Yes but it only voids the parts that are affected(i.e, suspension). But we do it anyway right?! I lifted my truck within 300 miles of purchase!

Thanks Ron.

 

Lol at factory warranty.
Totally garbage. Website states lifetime warranty on factory spray liner. Mine chipped 3k miles..
Took it to 3 different dealers and both said "wear and tear"..

 

That's crap!

I have a bad sensor on my front driver's side bumper. It goes off anytime I'm going under 5 mph, however, when I took it to the dealer they claimed they could not reproduce it. WTH! The only way they couldn't have reproduced it is because they didn't take it on a test drive. I guess I'm going to have to request that a tech come with me and I'll reproduce it while the tech is in the truck with me. I hate dealers!

 

That issue I would definitely take back/try different dealer..

 

Yeah, I plan on taking it back for that when they call me back to schedule the bumper recall fix. I'll have both fixed at the same time. (I hope)

 

I installed the pop and lock today. Took a little long then most but that's bc I am no macanic but it was fairly easy to install. I feel it's a must if you have a top on your bed. I will no longer forget to lock the bed with the key.

 

Couldn't have taken longer than me? I did mine in a span of 2 days lol.
It's hard to get any work done in the house when you have a 2 year old running around.
I think I spent a total of about 2.5 hours on the install actually.

Day 1 - install dynamat and pop lock in tailgate. Route wire outside of tail gate
Day 2 - run wire to cab and terminate

 

Interesting. Where did you get the idea to run it through the grommet under the carpet? I ran mine through the engine bay.

 

The instructions for the bed lights say to go through there. I'll take some pictures from underneath one of these days to show it from under. The grommet is pretty close to the frame rails so its a perfect location.

 

Was the instructions on wiring correct on yours?

 

It was. For some reason I had to switch the connections in the tailgate for the unlock/lock to operate correctly. I also assume that I ran the wire improperly because I didn't have enough when I got to the firewall. I just extended the tailgate connection under the truck another foot to have enough wire. Figured not a big deal since I will probably never need to remove my tailgate.

 

What's dynamat? And do I need it? You have to excuse me, I'm new to doing anything on the truck myself but am very encouraged reading this forum and seeing what guys do. Plus, I love saving $$$ for the next project.

 

Dynamat is sound deadening material used to help quiet down cabin noise. For this use, I used it to keep the volume of the pop lock down as others have mentioned that it is loud. Do you need it, NO. As long as the loud click doesn't bother you.

 

Here are the pictures from underneath.

1. This shows where I connected the pop lock connector which is right next to the spare/bumper area
2. This is where I connected the connectors for the led bed lights. This is above the area above the rear axel.
3. You can see 1 loom from here on since I joined all the cables together for a cleaner install.
4. Below the rear passenger compartment.
5. And here is where it penetrated to the cabin.

So Don't be scared to do this yourselves! It's pretty easy.

 

I love clean installs!

 

Any bump in the passenger floormat? Still considering if it's best to run through the firewall.

 

No bump. I wedged it against the styrofoam pad on there. You'll see what I mean when you see it. It's well protected.

 

Did you find the Dynamat really helped? Also, what's the silver wrap on your LED connector loom (post 26 pic 2)?

 

I can't tell you if it helped because I didn't try it without the dynamat. Only way to tell is to compare it with someone that didn't put in dynamat.

The silver wrap is on the existing loom. My wire is the loom above it that looks brand new and is smaller.