Since day one the KZJ78 that was added to the herd has been able to do the party trick of being able to pull the key out while the engine is running and the truck is in drive. Exciting the first time but something you have to tell others about if they are driving. While typically no big deal, when it’s early and your brain is focused elsewhere it causes confusion to park, pull the key out, but not have the truck turn off. This particular truck has an automatic transmission, and some of you are seeing where this is headed. There is a safety built in that is supposed not to allow the key to be pulled out if the truck isn’t in park, but when your ignition lock cylinder is worn out that gets bypassed. So when your brain is elsewhere and you haven’t actually put the transmission in park because you haven’t finished your coffee yet, but you have your key in your hand it leads to a confusing morning. It would be a lie if this morning was the first time this has happened!
Now because this has been an annoyance for a couple of years now I had luckily picked up a new lock set for the truck from the classifieds. Now is the exact lock set for this truck no, but did it work yes. Should I have done a little more parts research? Yes. Should I have known better also yes. Did I get excited for a good deal on sometimes hard to find parts, also yes. The only issue with the set used was its short one cylinder for the fuel tank door and short a spare tire lock. I think the locking fuel door and spare tire lock might be a market specific or trim package item, but regardless I am happy to have an ignition key that stays put. The fuel door is a moot point because we pull the release from inside anyways, and for the spare tire I left the original key on the ring.
Tools Needed
-Philips screw driver (ideally JIS) if you want to be boujee you can get the Toyota one, but Vessel is the supplier for them.
-A pick, I used this one from Vessel. It comes as a part of a larger set, which I use a ton when working on all the trucks. So if you’re in the market for buying tools I would consider it. Plus it matches the Vessel screwdriver. What’s not to like!
-Trim panel tool. By no means do you need the Toyota one, but it's cool to have on hand for this project. I suspect Bojo Tool makes this kit for Toyota. The second photo is just a different type of trim panel tool I used for the window switch panel.
Tools that are Nice to Have
-Light
-Headlight
-Needlenose pliers. I really like the ones from Tsunoda, part number SNP-150. They are super narrow.
I suspect the steps below pretty much pertain to most 70 series that match the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s models. So if you got a HZJ75, a FZJ73, a Prado, etc. I think this will get you pointed in the right direction. This Prado does have electric locks and windows, so that will be different if you have manual windows and locks. For manual windows some extra steps not documented in this post are needed. Is this job pretty straightforward? Yes, but as someone who has also snapped part of a door handle off previously I figured someone might find this information helpful later down the road.
Now because this has been an annoyance for a couple of years now I had luckily picked up a new lock set for the truck from the classifieds. Now is the exact lock set for this truck no, but did it work yes. Should I have done a little more parts research? Yes. Should I have known better also yes. Did I get excited for a good deal on sometimes hard to find parts, also yes. The only issue with the set used was its short one cylinder for the fuel tank door and short a spare tire lock. I think the locking fuel door and spare tire lock might be a market specific or trim package item, but regardless I am happy to have an ignition key that stays put. The fuel door is a moot point because we pull the release from inside anyways, and for the spare tire I left the original key on the ring.
Tools Needed
-Philips screw driver (ideally JIS) if you want to be boujee you can get the Toyota one, but Vessel is the supplier for them.
-A pick, I used this one from Vessel. It comes as a part of a larger set, which I use a ton when working on all the trucks. So if you’re in the market for buying tools I would consider it. Plus it matches the Vessel screwdriver. What’s not to like!
-Trim panel tool. By no means do you need the Toyota one, but it's cool to have on hand for this project. I suspect Bojo Tool makes this kit for Toyota. The second photo is just a different type of trim panel tool I used for the window switch panel.
Tools that are Nice to Have
-Light
-Headlight
-Needlenose pliers. I really like the ones from Tsunoda, part number SNP-150. They are super narrow.
I suspect the steps below pretty much pertain to most 70 series that match the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s models. So if you got a HZJ75, a FZJ73, a Prado, etc. I think this will get you pointed in the right direction. This Prado does have electric locks and windows, so that will be different if you have manual windows and locks. For manual windows some extra steps not documented in this post are needed. Is this job pretty straightforward? Yes, but as someone who has also snapped part of a door handle off previously I figured someone might find this information helpful later down the road.
