Written by: Korey89

Discussion thread: https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=72879

As many of you know tailgates are pretty commonly stolen, and cost a lot to replace. And the fact that our truck lacks a factory lock also means that if you have a topper or bed cover chances are you can still open the tailgate. There are other solutions on the market that consist of a manual lock, but personally I don't want anymore keys on my keychain or another lock to remember to lock. The solution is this electric tailgate lock made by Pop&Lock. Here is how it is installed,

Tools needed:

• A nut driver
• A T30 Torx socket
• A flathead screwdriver
• A hand ratchet
• Assorted sockets
• Wire crimps
• Zipties

Here is what you receive in the box, everything you need to get it hooked up and working in no time.


Here is the part number for future reference.

Lets begin,


Since this truck has a plastic bedliner it will need to be removed to get to the access panel.


T30 Torx is required to remove the screws.


Start removing the screws.


With them removed, remove and place the bedliner piece out of the way.


Remove and place the access cover out of the way.


This needs to be removed.


But first it needs to be disconnected, a flat head scewdriver will take care of that problem.


Both are now open.


Remove the two bolts holding it on now.


Remove the handle piece and then slide the lock into place.


Put the handle piece back in place, then put the lock in between the bolt and nut like a washer. Now tighten it back down.


Lock and handle pieces are in place and secured. Now reattach the linkage rods, make sure to adjust them so that the tailgate can not open while the lock is in the locked position.



Now lets see how it works. In the first picture the bar is pulled out and in the unlocked position. The second picture it is pulled in and in the locked position. This will not allow to tailgate to open.


Now we need to run our wire, this drain hole will work perfect.


Wire ran through hole, the other end is dangling under the truck.


Wires are connected and secured out of the way of any moving parts.


Here is the wire dangling under the truck.


Start to route it through the frame.


The extension has been plugged in and the wire is being routed. I was unable to run the wire entirely through the frame, the exhaust gets very close and it would get too hot. So I started to run it in the rocker panel which is far from the exhaust and is where the wire needs to end up anyway.


Up the rocker panel.


I came up through the drain plug (make sure to cut wire loom so drain plug still has a seal. The wires for the passenger lock are right in the passenger footwell, all you need to do is connect them to your new wire via a wiretap. Please note, in the picture they are hooked up backwards. If you hook it up backwards you can unplug the bullet connectors that attach the wiring harness to the lock itself and switch them.

Test it, and make sure everything works how it should. Then put the access panel cover, the bedliner piece, and the passenger footwell kickplate back and you are done. Wasn't that quick?

Here is how it works,


Here is a link to Pop&Lock's website for more information and ordering.
http://popandlock.net/

 

Could this be done without autolocks?

 

On my 2003 Ford the power lock wires are pink w/ orange strip and pink w/ black stip. It says in the instruction to connect the pop&lock wires to the power lock harness (in my case is the pink /orange and pink /black). Is there a specific wire color from the pop&lock wires that should only connect to the trucks power lock wire harness? What I mean is... Does it matter which ever wire color as long as its connected?? Please advise. Thanks

 

Maybe you or someone can help me with this? I have a 2001 ranger and just bought one of these pop and locks but I can not find the pink/orange under the passenger compartment where it says. Did you find it somewhere else?
Thanks for any info.

 

thats pretty sweet. i might get one since my truck sits outside all night