I have a 2000 F150 that has no tailgate lock. I want to add one as i want to be able to secure the things i put in my truck from the casual thief (I have a tri-fold cover). I know of the Pop & Lock tailgate lock that you can install, but from reading the reviews it doesn't seem to be a very good piece, fits poorly and doesn't lock well. Has anyone converted the handle to a locking one using OEM parts? If so please show me how and what to get. Search didn't show much.

 

Casual thief is the piece of **** that just walks by scanning beds for something to steal. I have a vinyl trifold cover that cant be opened without the tailgate being down. YES it can simply be cut open, but this isn't as simple as just dropping the tailgate and helping themselves to whatever is inside.....

 

Its pretty simple. Id think you could buy part easily. I took mine out to put camera where lock was on a new tailgate handle. New handle was $6, they are cheeeep from rockauto. all you need is the lock part and new tailgate handle. may need to see locksmith to get it keyed. probably find at junkyard, but tailgates dissapear fast.

If I ever paint my camera to match, Ill put it in center under handle, and put lock back on tailgate.

 

Mbb, you got a link to the camera setup you used?

 

My 2002 SCrew has a factory lock on the tailgate.
Have you tried junkyards? See if you can locate one, you're going to have to replace the cylinder regardless of getting the handle and parts or the complete tailgate.

All I found searching is Pop Lock brand or the replacement handle minus the lock cylinder.

 

http://www.voxxelectronics.com/backu...as/?sku=CAM500

resolution is good. very good night vision, I can see fine behind truck at night. wide angle. Ive been happy with this. Not sure if make it anymore . It was $90 when I bought it from sonic. It is listed as Advent Cam500, but audiovoxx bought it apparently.

tried a well rated $25 chinese one first.....it ...was....junk. Did not have the angle claimed or very good resolution or night vision.
One day I may put the chinese one on front for parking.

 

lock cylinders are on ebay for $30

you may need the metal pawl

all in all, junkyard would be better and get keyed to match ignition

 

This is all it is
A wire clip holds cylinder in
Bent metal pawl you could probably make self in pinch

Is rest of mechanism in tailgate identical for locking and not? dont know. I wouldnt think it would make sense financially to have 2 different though.

 

The rest of the tailgate parts are the same. The key lock is really nothing more than adding a keyed slot on the opposite side of the cylinder. The key moves a tab inside that doesn't allow the exterior tab (the one held by the e-clip in your photo) to rotate and pull the catch release rods.

This video is as close as I could find to your 2000. There are a few more on YouTube but not many to reference.

 

Thanks alot for the info guys. so far it seems like spending maybe $50 in parts. New latch with key cylinder hole, then buying the lock cylinder. i don't care if its the same key as my ignition.