Tailgate key hole

Hey yall,

Picked up a Tundra a few weeks back and the tailgate was missing the lock, looks like it had fallen out or someone had taken it out. Either was i want to get a new tailgate handle with a camera with a new lock. Any ideas on where to purchase a new tumbler? i think that's the correct word. I already found the tailgate handle on here just at a loss for the lock.

TIA!

 

First off, be patient when posting for help. Don't post a new thread then run all over bumping other threads asking the same question.

Second, you just bought a 1st gen Tundra. Before you start investing money, be smart. Read our community thread and learn about your truck, so you can make sure you didn't get fucked over: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

You really don't want to spend money on something if you went into this purchase unprepared, uninformed, and you bought a truck with a dangerous, rusty frame. They get sold often. And sometimes it's not glaringly obvious. Like this truck, whose frame looks great, until you see the gaping holes behind the front splash aprons, behind the front suspension coils.

That thread will also help you update your member profile, so we're not constantly asking you, "What year?! Is it V8 or V6?! What cab type, so we know which part is correct?"

That thread also shows you how to find your OEM part number based on your VIN# so you can order the part.

Everyone here is happy to help, but it's really difficult to help before you read that thread, update your profile, and then we can start getting down and dirty with your truck.

PICS WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY, ALWAYS.

 

OP,

Yes, you have some reading to do.....

I think Toyota still sells OEM locks but you could also do www.car-part.com.

Assuming yours is a 2006 double cab like in your avatar.....

Search Results | Ourisman Toyota Parts| Official Toyota Online Store

 

You can definitely still buy.

Here's the EPC for one generic USA-made DC for 2006: https://toyota-usa.epc-data.com/tundra/uck41l/3812/body/6765/

It clearly shows the following lock/key sets available along with their index# - but @Soppyrunner would either need to adjust the lock barrels/cylinders/keyway themselves or have a locksmith re-key to match their ignition key.

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The tailgate latch on my 2000 Tundra literally broke off in my hand last year. An entire new assembly was only $20 from Amazon. I reused the lock but a new lock is $20 on eBay.

 

I would urge you not to buy parts on scAmazon or fleaBay. I mean, if you're cool with subpar aftermarket garbage, and know that's what you're ordering, great. But if you're looking for genuine OEM, or genuine parts in general, you may get a part that has a genuine-looking OEM-like sticker, but it's probably not an authentic part. Knockoffs are rampant from both of those outlets, and if something unfortunate were to happen when that part fails ... who are you going to hold accountable for the damages?

Also worth mentioning, while the lock/cylinder may be discontinued here in the USA, you can still order from Japan, direct from Amayama (which is a legit source), and it's not too much more tha generic/aftermarket sub-par parts, and you get authentic keys to boot.

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I'll let ya know if I suffer a catastrophic tailgate latch handle failure. So far so good. I use the tailgate all the time as a bench to cut up shipping boxes from Amazon and eBay.

 

I mean, if you did, lets be real ... I bet you wouldn't post about it on here.

But to your point, yes, it could be catastrophic. All it would take is that tailgate coming unlatched due to the [cheap part from China with no QC] latch releasing while hitting a bump on the interstate, and your tailgate goes through somebody's windshield. Not a huge effect on you, you won't get charged if someone dies. But could easily end someone else's life, turn someone else's world upside down. All that, to save ... $15? I know, it's hard to think about the consequences of our actions, or think about anyone else for that matter ... it's why people who use aftermarket LBJ proudly piss me off - if your LBJ snaps on the interstate, you could easily kill other people who didn't choose to be ignorant of a very-real problem.

Look man, I get it. It's easy to be cynical. The sad reality of our world today is, the aftermarket is shit quality, especially in the last decade when it's gotten absurdly worse. Consumers are the new quality control department for these companies. And vendors have essentiall anonymized themselves on the auction platform, and even on platforms like scAmazon (note all the bullshit all-caps, gibbersh-named products/brands) which are here today, gone tomorrow, because that business model shields them from liability, and removes any responsibility to uphold reputation of quality product. "Oh shit, my AJSDOOEHHHG brand bluetooth speaker just died after 9 months, time to go raise hell on social media!", but AJSDOOEHHHG doesn't exist. Now they're OOEHHHGAJSD. Or are they? Maybe they're SOB-FML-OMFG brand now?

Genuine OEM parts are verified, tested, and you have a brand that will stand behind them in the event of a failure, and potentially someone to go after in the event of damages. That's why it costs a bit more money. But you can typically get nicely discounted rates on OEM parts that put them into a far more competitive bracket if you know how/where to look.

 

Of course I would report if the non-OEM latch handle failed, just like I reported the OEM latch handle failure.

Tailgate doesn't operate like that. The tailgate remains on the truck with the tailgate hinges, and uses cables to keep the tailgate level when in the down position. Regardless of the latch handle, the tailgate doesn't go flying off the truck and into someone's windshield resulting in serious bodily injury or death.

Also, each latch has its own spring that secures the latch over the pin when the tailgate is properly lifted/closed, securing the tailgate in the up position. Making sure the tailgate is properly closed is important regardless of latch handle condition. That said, if the latch handle fails the tailgate will be stuck in the up position.

 

When it comes to Toyota parts, price difference for OEM is a No brainer...

We've been "Using & abusing" Yota since '81 and OEM has always brought me home while my son has tried the "Specials" and somehow Dad

always gets a call
Your choice and your hard earned $$$ But that being said , I'll keep rolling our Yota's to the 100k mark on a refined "Dime"

 

Been using a cheap Amazon tailgate handle since March of last year and it's still working fine. I did grease the linkages when I put the new one in, felt like everything was binding in the old one when it broke off in my hand.

Also the only thing that'll happen if this thing fails is I'll need to pull the cover off the inside of the tailgate to get it to open again.

 

Exactly.

 

I should show you my previous truck.

The same one that literally had both retention cables snap off the first time I opened it and sat on it. Dented the shit out of the tailgate when it hit the bumper.

Because, lo and behold, previous owner bought some cheap shit online.

What you've described is the best-case scenario. You have no idea what could happen on 20yr old retention straps, if it were to unlatch and have 75mph wind catch it and throw it open.

You're assuming the best would happen: The traps would hold, and the tailgate would fly open, and it would catch, with no bounce, no release. That's fine, I don't blame you, I would too, if I wanted to support my point.

My point is: What happens if it doesn't? And that tailgate bounces up enough to slide off on the correct side, then flies off? And it kills someone, or causes someone gross bodily harm? Was it worth saving $10, $15 buying cheap-shit parts?

 

You're the only one here talking about cheap retention straps and random other failures. The part I replaced off Amazon is the plastic handle assembly. I could take a hammer to that handle and smash it to pieces and the tailgate still isn't gonna open without physically pulling on the rods to the the latches.

I routinely load up that tailgate with mountain bikes that are worth way more than the truck. I've carried multiple loads of river rock back there that far exceeded the weight limit of the truck. Cleared all the blackberries and trees from a parent's property and hauled all of that in the back of the truck. Last time I went camping I had 7 gallon water containers sitting on the tailgate all weekend. What I'm getting at is I use and abuse my truck and that cheap handle I got off Amazon is the least of my worries. I don't know how many dents I've put in the inside of my tailgate since I installed that handle, and it still works fine. All that handle does is pull the rods to the latches to release them and open the tailgate. My old one broke and it made it difficult to open the tailgate, it didn't make the tailgate open on its own.

I build old sports bikes from the frame up. Rebuild suspension, brakes, carburetors, and engines. Customize bikes to make them faster. I'm quite aware of the consequences of my actions if buy some cheap part that could put my life or someone else's life at risk. That $20 plastic handle off Amazon is not something I'm going to loose any sleep over and when it eventually breaks, I'll probably buy the same thing again.

 

Exactly, again. It's obvious you understand the part being discussed, design of the tailgate and operation.

 

Just dont get the one off ebay.

 

Yes, it is definitely a topic I'm absolutely unfamiliar with.

 

You understand how the handle works, so I don't get why you're going on and on about us killing a family on the freeway when our cheap tailgate handle breaks, saying it's going to cause our tailgate to fly off. AFAIK my old handle which was broken was OEM and all it did was make it harder to get the damn tailgate open. My straps are fine, my latches are lubed, I've even pulled the tailgate off and everything works as it should.

Now if it should ever fly off and leave a trail of smashed up carbon fiber mountain bike parts down the road, I'll happily come on here and post that you were right and I was wrong and how much it ended up costing me. In the mean time, I'm going to continue doing this with it.

 

I'm not, we were talking about lock cylinders originally, and I brought up the topic of aftermarket being shit, and cited an example of latch failure. Who said anything about tailgate handles?

EDIT: I just read back again, and I'm still uncertain how I'm getting roped in about handles here. I wouldn't buy aftermarket handles because they have a penchant for snapping again unless you resolve the root of the issue (which is typically resolved with the thread I linked).

 

Yup, and @ChattanoogaPhil and I are both still using our original OEM lock cylinders with our Amazon handles.

 

Ok, so why are we still talking about handles?

EDIT: Wait, ok. I see where this went sideways. One specific sentence. Gotcha. Ok, carry on.