prharper
GOLD Star
I previously experienced an issue with the tailgate locking mechanism which failed to release on one side after installing a Trail Tailor tailgate locking lid.
forum.ih8mud.com
Fast foward, it happened again. I was all set to head up to PA for a wheeling trip. The day before, I replaced front brake pads, booked hotel, purchased park pass and was all set. Just before heading out, I went to open the rear door to load the fridge. Pulled the lever to release the tailgate, heard a thunk and tailgate lock assembly was hung up on one side. The other side was free. Regardless, the tailgate would not open so no access to drawers or ability to slide the fridge out. I put all my weight into pulling it down. Hit it with a rubber mallet repeatedly. Nothing.
Tried to close it with no success, gaps on each side. Neither would latch. As a result, the rear door would not latch closed either. I learned later that attempting to drive would yield the constant annoying chime of open door with warning light.
I was determined to get this tailgate open or shut so I could get on with my trip. Jammed my arm behind the locking lid trying to feel for any release lever (which worked the first time this happened). This went on for 2 hours and I gave in after splitting my thumbnail and bruising my hand and forearm.
Booked a service appt at the largest Toyota dealer in my area for Monday AM. It was a huge disappointment and I'm not going to go into detail at this point.
The tailgate has two lock assemblies (left & right). Toyota added the power assist lock assembly in 2018. If one fails, there is absolutely no way to replace it without getting the tailgate to drop! There are three bolts securing each one that are only accessible from the side of the tailgate which can't be accessed if it's still latched and one bolt on the top of the tailgate (in my case had to remove Trail Tailor locking storage to access that bolt).
Ordered a replacement lock assembly (different or each side). Examined the part in detail since it's rare to ever get an actual quality photo when ordering online Toyota parts. Example:
Notice the updated part has a string attached to a lever. Hmmm. Why didn't my 2018 have this?
This gave me some clues. Inserted a borescope in the tailgate to help me locate the lever, pressed and the lock assembly released and tailgate opened. Detailed photo of my finger on the location of the lever.
While I had everything opened up, I removed the lock assembly on the other side and added a string (it didn't have one) in the event it ever fails.
This apparently is a design flaw that Toyota later recognized. Much easier to pull a string to release the locking mechanism.
FWIW - if you have drawers, it's going to be a big hassle to remove the factory storage area where the jack tools are installed as there isn't much room to work with when the tailgate is up. I was fortunate that I had the TT locking lid without a lot of gear in there where I could slide my hand and arm in there to release with my fingers. If this ever happens again, the damn string better work.
LC 2018+ Tailgate Lock Assembly - Help
Last weekend, I installed the Traill Tailor locking tailgate lid on my LC 2018. I've been able to open and close the rear tailgate without any issues. However, today I opened it up to put some things in there and when I went to close the tailgate, it didn't completely close on the left latch...
forum.ih8mud.com
Fast foward, it happened again. I was all set to head up to PA for a wheeling trip. The day before, I replaced front brake pads, booked hotel, purchased park pass and was all set. Just before heading out, I went to open the rear door to load the fridge. Pulled the lever to release the tailgate, heard a thunk and tailgate lock assembly was hung up on one side. The other side was free. Regardless, the tailgate would not open so no access to drawers or ability to slide the fridge out. I put all my weight into pulling it down. Hit it with a rubber mallet repeatedly. Nothing.
Tried to close it with no success, gaps on each side. Neither would latch. As a result, the rear door would not latch closed either. I learned later that attempting to drive would yield the constant annoying chime of open door with warning light.
I was determined to get this tailgate open or shut so I could get on with my trip. Jammed my arm behind the locking lid trying to feel for any release lever (which worked the first time this happened). This went on for 2 hours and I gave in after splitting my thumbnail and bruising my hand and forearm.
Booked a service appt at the largest Toyota dealer in my area for Monday AM. It was a huge disappointment and I'm not going to go into detail at this point.
The tailgate has two lock assemblies (left & right). Toyota added the power assist lock assembly in 2018. If one fails, there is absolutely no way to replace it without getting the tailgate to drop! There are three bolts securing each one that are only accessible from the side of the tailgate which can't be accessed if it's still latched and one bolt on the top of the tailgate (in my case had to remove Trail Tailor locking storage to access that bolt).
Ordered a replacement lock assembly (different or each side). Examined the part in detail since it's rare to ever get an actual quality photo when ordering online Toyota parts. Example:
Notice the updated part has a string attached to a lever. Hmmm. Why didn't my 2018 have this?
This gave me some clues. Inserted a borescope in the tailgate to help me locate the lever, pressed and the lock assembly released and tailgate opened. Detailed photo of my finger on the location of the lever.
While I had everything opened up, I removed the lock assembly on the other side and added a string (it didn't have one) in the event it ever fails.
This apparently is a design flaw that Toyota later recognized. Much easier to pull a string to release the locking mechanism.
FWIW - if you have drawers, it's going to be a big hassle to remove the factory storage area where the jack tools are installed as there isn't much room to work with when the tailgate is up. I was fortunate that I had the TT locking lid without a lot of gear in there where I could slide my hand and arm in there to release with my fingers. If this ever happens again, the damn string better work.
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