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These tailgate locks have been designed to give your truck an OEM look while securing the tailgate to help prevent theft. These patented tailgate locks are the perfect companion for pickups with truck caps and tonneau covers.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today on our 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab, we're going to be installing the Pilot Integrated OEM tailgate lock for 99-2007 GM full size pick up trucks. Part Number LH-003, before we begin our installation, let's go over the parts that will come with the kit. You'll get a new bezel, it has the hole in it for where the lock will come through. You'll get 2 keys for the lock, here's the locking mechanism. For securing the locking mechanism you have 2 options, you can use the standard Phillip's head screw or the security style screw. Once you tighten it down, you can't back the screw back out. Now that we've gone over our parts, let's go ahead and show you how to install it.
We've gone ahead and opened up the tailgate, one way to get the bezel out from the factory a little easier is to remove this bottom screw first. We'll go ahead and take this one out, we're going to need to remove this one later anyway. Go ahead and take the screw on out, go ahead and close our tailgate back up. You're going to need to push down on the top of the bezel, because there's 2 tabs up here. There's one right here and right here, as well as a tab on the underside that actually pushes down into the tailgate itself. We're just using a trim panel removal tool, you can use a small flat head screwdriver too to push down on the tabs, just be gentle as they do break easy.
We'll go ahead and push down, now we have it loose, go ahead and slide the bezel out the rest of the way. Sometimes the tabs do snap off pretty easy, especially if it is cold. If you look underneath here, there's the hole of the screw that we removed from the backside of the tailgate. Now with the screw removed, we're going to need to insert the key into the locking mechanism. We'll need to work the mechanism up into position, so that it's lined up with the hole. This hole here will line up with the hole in the tailgate.
From the backside, we'll install the flat washer, and in this case we're just going to use the regular Phillip's head screw. We'll use the key to help us guide the lock into position. Then take our Phillip's head screwdriver, go ahead and make sure everything is lined up underneath, and we can tighten it down. Here's the security screw that comes with the kit as well. You'll notice that it has a ground down edge to where once you tighten it down, it's in place, you're not going to get it to come back out. Now on this particular install, we just put the Phillip's head in it, but this screw here could replace the Phillip's head if you wanted it to.
That's up to you, it's just an option that comes with the kit. We have everything lined up, we have it tightened down. Now with the key in the turned position it lowers this arm here. That's what's actually locking it or keeping it from moving. This is in the lock position, turn the key sideways it's in the unlock position. Then you're able to use the tailgate like the normal, it allows you to open the tailgate. When it's in the lock position it doesn't allow the arms to be pulled in, releasing the mechanism securing the tailgate. Now that we have the lock mechanism in place, all that's left to do is to install the new bezel that comes with the kit. Next we're going to need to install the new bezel. Go back in place like this, these 2 bottom pins here are going to line up with the 2 holes in the tailgate. The top 2 clips will actually slide up underneath, you want to make sure you get the bottom 2 pins lined up first before pushing it in place. Once the bottom pins are in and we know we're going to line up with our keyhole. Go ahead and push in on the top, snapping it in place and then put your key in. Lock or unlock, with our key in the unlock position we can open our tailgate. We can then close the tailgate and lock it by turning the key to the upright position like that. This tailgate lock will add a level of security especially if you have a tunnel cover or maybe a camper shell on your truck. It will help give you that added level of security that somebody can't just pull your tailgate open and get in at your items that may be stored in the bed. That will do it for the installation of the Integrated OEM Tailgate Lock. Part Number LH-003 as installed on our 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab. .
Average Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (352 Customer Reviews)
I was very pleased with the installation of this product. Parts are high quality and the look is OEM just like the description says. I would not recommend using the one-way (security) screw that comes with the product as I needed to remove the locking mechanism two or three times to get it to align with the latch properly. I found that a little grease on the arms of locking mechanism where it contacted the latch helped keep it from sticking or jamming as others have mentioned. Overall a great experience shopping at this company. Thanks etrailer.com!
Al - 09/10/2020Pretty decent price for something that can make your tailgate secure from someone who only takes a little mild discouraging to move on. The fit is quick and easy just not exactly confidence boosting to stop someone even halfway determined to get inside your tailgate. It would be nice if the design was revised slightly to eliminate the twist which occurs when tightening the screw. When locked there is still enough play in the handle to allow the left side latch to click as though it is opening. Overall, for day to day applications I will use the keyed lock but I will still use the strap attached to the tailgate when I really want the gate to be secure.
Brian C - 04/09/2020Funny story now but not at the time / watched video on installing but it was on a different year truck than mine and it looked very simple to do and it would have been had I looked at the enclosed instructions that noted tailgate must be closed to install but no I couldn't be that smart / end result installed lock with tailgate down and tonneau cover attached closed the tailgate only to find out that the lock worked very well I couldn't open the tailgate because by having the tailgate down while installing didn't allow the latch arms to open and a 15 minute job turned into over an hour project trying to get the tailgate open / but I would recommend the Bully Tailgate Lock and most definitely would recommend reading the instructions something I will always do before doing anything from now on
Mike R - 03/29/2019Ordered the Integrated OEM Tailgate Lock - 1999-2007 GM Full Size Pickups - LH-003 for my 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax. The ordering process was extremely smooth and the product was shipped the afternoon of the order. Even though it was on a Friday over a long holiday weekend (Labor Day) I received it in record time. Watched the installation video beforehand and couldn't believe how easy it was to install. Took less than 5 minutes. Product was as advertised and everything fit perfectly. Looks just like it came from the factory. Extremely pleased and will definitely order more products from etrailer in the future. 5 stars + for sure!
Very nice quality easy installation and good price, I recommend, thank you.
Fernando - 03/03/2021I just completed the installation of the Bully LH-003 tailgate lock on my 2007 GMC Sierra Denali Classic. I really like the function and how this product looks on my truck. The installation was very simple after watching the installation video on the etrailer website.
The lock did not work on my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. For whatever reason I could not get it to lock, I tried to file it down a little bit because it was getting stuck. Once I got it to turn, I noticed I could still open the tailgate regardless of the lock. I felt the lock was a little more exposed than I like so I ended up taking off the lock. Great concept for this model but it it didn’t work for me
Garbage. Opens right up locked or unloc ked.
Sierra K - 06/03/2021Very easy to install..it gives a great peace of mind that I don't have to worry about loosing the tailgate in a parking lot ( removal taking a brief 15 seconds) I did loose the bezel running on rough surface with tailgate down and ordered new product and then drilled a couple of holes and secured with screws. Overall I am very happy with the product.
The lock works great and does just what I wanted it to. However, the bezel didn’t fit correctly and actually broke when I tried to reinstall. I eventually had to use silicone to get it to stay in place
I put in over an hour into installing the product and trying to make the product work but was not successful. Made sure the tailgate linkage was lubed and working freely, but still only managed to get the product to actually lock the tailgate 10-20% of the time. The majority of the time the lock cylinder would turn and go into position, but wouldn't catch the gate linkage to prevent the handle from opening the tailgate. So it often would take several attempts turning the key before it may catch and lock.
Item arrived a day earlier than projected. Installed in less than 5 minutes. It's not Fort Knox - but it's 100% improvement over the locked camper shell by itself. Super product, well made, well designed. 100% + satisfied! Thank you
the cover likes pop off when you close the tail lock real well
Delevery in time as promised, good to install and work's well. Time will tell. Regards.
Robert C - 03/20/2021Recently bought a hard bed cover for my 06 Silverado and wanted to lock the tailgate. I purchased the Tailgate Lock through etrailer. The product arrived on time and complete. The instructions were easy and the installation was a breeze. The only thing I would change is the mounting bolt. It would be nice if it matched the existing bolts. However for the price and ease I highly recommend this product.
Dave N - 05/10/2014I am giving this lock a 3 star review mainly because of the fitment issue we had with it. The bezel seems to be of good quality, along with the lock mechanism itself. But the lock on ours sits lower than the hole in the bezel once it is installed and does not line up. It still functions properly, but does not look the best.
Heather A - 01/10/2018The tailgate lock is pretty cheesy but its working, must be a GM thing, I went through four of them in six months on my '04 3500 Silverado, I try not to use it too much. My gate latch on my 1992 F350 has been perfect since I bout the truck in '92
Easy to install, most of the time was removing the tail gate cover to get to the screws I needed to remove. If you do not have a tail gate cover, maximum time to install is at the most 10-15 minutes tops. I highly recommend this lock to secure the tail gate. It looks like a factory item. Highly recommend installing one.
Thanks this service was great, the part was just what I looking for! I was impressed by the quality and the way it fit. My wife is now very happy, with our new cover we now can lock our things up when we travel. This lock was the final thing to complete our needs! Again Thanks
This lock is still working flawlessly at keeping my tailgate locked and bed secured with my tonneau cover. I would definitely recommend getting this item if you want to lock your tailgate.
Jonathan C - 04/11/2018Excellent product. Works great. You do need to keep on top of the mounting screw inside the tailgate, though. If it loosens the tailgate won't unlock. You can deal with that by removing the trim and flipping the latch with a screwdriver. Last time around I used some blue Loctite. Working well so far.
Easy to install, well built. Seems to work really well.
Works great. When I installed it, it didn’t work at first then I played around with the rods a little and it works great now.
Maintains security of tailgate. Bezel is still on and hasnt broken off like most factory replacements.
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