Tailgate theft....How to prevent it....

Pics of the washer mod? I hadn't seen that.

 

Pictures added below, courtesy of, and borrowed from "maxboi". Just remember, that the small washer has got to be of at least, the same outside diameter, as the bolt shoulder (that the cable clip attaches to), and it has got to be at least the same thickness (maybe a bit more), as the large washer you are going to add.

Also understand, that small washer, is simply compensating for the additional thickness of the large washer, by extending the shoulder length of the 40 torx bolt, allowing you to tighten that bolt, without binding the washer and cable clip. If that small washer (shim/spacer) is not at least of the same thickness, as the large washer used (maybe a bit more), then once you put everything into place, and you tighten that 40 torx bolt, it is going to jam the large washer against the cable clip, and it will bind, preventing the cable clip from folding in and down, as you close your tailgate.

As for that small washer, it should have a 15/32" OD (outside diameter), with a 5/16" hole in the center (inside diameter). It should be approximately 3/32" thick, but never less than the thickness of the larger washer used. These measurements will mirror the 40 torx cable bolt, which has a shoulder that is 15/32" OD, and threads which that are 15/16" OD. This is probably not something you'll find on the shelf some where, but maybe (?) I believe it may have to be special made, if it is to be an exact fit.
(Hope this is clear - I'll try to post pics, when I can)

And yes, I am aware that many earlier posters, have suggested, applying loc-tight, then tightening the 40 torx bolt until it binds, then backing it out just a bit. I understand this procedure, but I really don't like the idea of having a bolt held in place with glue, alone. I prefer that all bolts be tightened, as they should be, along with loc-tight ! Just my opinion !

Added pictures borrowed from "maxboi"
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I like that. Thanks. FYI, you can right click the actual post number for a specific link to that post, not just the page.

 

Understood, I removed the link and added the pictures instead, courtesy of, and borrowed from "maxboi". Easier to see now.

Good luck with the mod.......I'm going to make those small washers/shims our of stainless steel, with the help of a friend and a lathe. I got the large stainless washers on there now, just need to extend the shoulders, so I can completely tighten the bolts and add some Loc-tight..............

 

As for that small washer / spacer, it should have a 15/32" OD (outside diameter), with a 5/16" hole in the center (inside diameter). It should be approximately 3/32" thick, but never less than the thickness of the larger washer used. These measurements will mirror the #40 torx cable bolt, which has a shoulder that is 15/32" OD, and threads which that are 15/16" OD. This is probably not something you'll find on the shelf some where, but maybe (?) I believe it may have to be special made, if it is to be an exact fit, although some have stated that they were able to find a stainless washer, with the correct OD, and then drill out the hole to fit the threads (15/16") of the #40 torx cable bolt.

 

I work at Toyota in whole sale parts. We see at least two ordereds a week from shops that are replacing talegates. I did this about a year ago on my old truck. Need to do this on my new one.

 

Okay, I finally finished up this mod. I ended up taking four (4) stainless washers, which were initially intended for 1/4" bolts, and drilling them out with a 5/16" bit, so that the inside diameter would be exactly 5/16". The outside diameter of these washers was just over 1/2". I then took a 2" x 5/16" bolt, and slid on the four drilled washers (which now fitted snugly, with NO play). I then added a nut and tightened it up (very tight), with the help of a bench vise (for the bolt head) and a 1/2" wrench (for the nut). Once tightened up, this left approximately 1" of the 5/16" bolt threads exposed. We then put the threaded end into the jaws of a lathe, and turned the head of the bolt and the four washers down to precisely 15/32", or so as to match the outside diameter of the shoulder, of the tailgate bolt.

Results - 4 precision washers - 15/32" OD with a center hole 5/16" ID. The washers fit perfectly, and I was then able to completely tighten the tailgate cable bolts to maximum torque, and my big washer still spins freely, as does the cable clip.

Sure, if someone really wants my tailgate, they can cut the cables, or if they happen to have a #40 torx bit in their pocket, they can remove the bolts completely, but then they are going to have to deal with the hose clamp, down on the right hinge pin, which is positioned with the head nearly up against the tailgate lip, making it extremely difficult and time consuming to maneuver. Hopefully the initial encounter with the washers on the cable bolt, will send them elsewhere, for easier pickings. They might get it, but it won't be quick...........

As for the pictures, that I was going to add, no need, thanks to "maxboi" (see above). Mine would look identical...........Don't wait - DO THIS MOD !

 

I'm asking a stupid question here but why do they steal the tailgates? Is their a other use for them or do the sell well on the black market or in chop shops?

 

Yes, they sell them to people that need a replacement !

Okay, let's say you do something stupid (no offense), but you back into something, and crush your tailgate. So, now it's going to cost you $500 - $700 to get it fixed (if lucky), or you may need to replace it, to the tune of $1,000+, then you have to purchase (in addition), all the add-on stuff, that goes on the tailgate (cables, clips, latch, emblems, etc, etc), because none of that comes with a replacement tailgate. And yes, now you have to get the tailgate painted so it matches your truck (no - they don't come that way). Now, we are looking at $1,500+/-, or much more, if you have one of the newer models, with the back-up camera, etc.

So now, here comes this "punk", off the street, and he says - "Hey man, looks like you got a mess. I got a tailgate that will fix you right up.........$200 cash (and it's even the right color). So what are you going to say ?

Not saying that you would buy a stolen tailgate, but wouldn't you think about it? No serial number, it's going to save you several, several, hundreds of dollars ($$$$$), maybe even a thousand or more, and all you got to do is walk up to your truck, and set it back in place. Voila ! Problem solved. (Unfortunately, there's a bunch of folks out there, that wouldn't think twice.............they would pay the $200 and be done with it, and it's not just Tacoma's.

But, just to answer your question.....they are a quick, cheap, alternative, to buying a replacement from the dealer............

 

Thank you, I been having a discussion with a pal of mine, he's been saying stuff like "Their has to be a market for these otherwise they wouldn't get stolen" I bought the hose clamp setup & gonna protect what I got. Thank you

 

Great, but do the "oversize washer" addition also, if you can, even if you can't find a small washer to extend the shoulder bolt. Yes, the hose clamp temporarily secures the tailgate, from the snatch and grab crook, looking for that quick removal and quick get-away, BUT REMEMBER, once that crook disconnects your cables, and realizes that there is a problem (the hose clamp mod), he's not likely to be real careful with your tailgate. He's surely not going to take the time to carefully re-connect your cables and close your gate. So, what happens - he immediately drops your tailgate and moves on (just as intended), but unfortunately, now you've got a nice crease or dent, as the gate slams down across your bumper, and the crook scurries on down the street to your neighbors house.

So yes, if you want to prevent the "loss of your tailgate, and the collateral damage", do both the hose clamp AND the washer modification. When the crook initially encounters the washers, preventing him from removing the cables (and assuming that he's not there with a full tool box and plenty of time), at least he will be alerted that something is a-muck, and he will most likely move on immediately, where the pickings are easier, and quick. DO THEM BOTH !

 

I keep mine locked but I do wonder how secure the lock is.

 

Where do the washers go? I read your post but don't understand I got the small washer has to be at least the size 15/32 OD but where does it go?

 

Go back and read post #984 & #986:

post #984
[ https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-theft-how-to-prevent-it.27829/page-50#post-11758928 ]

post #986
[ https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-theft-how-to-prevent-it.27829/page-50#post-11760698 ].

The small washer goes on the threaded part, of the bolt that your tailgate cables are attached to. With the measurements that your read, this washer will fit on the threaded end and butt right up to the shoulder. All it does is extend the shoulder of that bolt, so when you tighten the bolt, it won't bind up the large washer against the tailgate clip. It's basically being used as a spacer, to compensate for the space taken up by the large washer which you will add, to prevent removal of the tailgate cable clip.

Bottom line, just put the small washer on the #40 Torx head bolt, and put the bolt, along with the large washer back in place and tighten. Once tight, your tailgate clip should be free to swing in and out as you open and close the tailgate, and you shouldn't be able to remove the cable clips, because of the large washer. Again, this will only slow down the crook, and the idea is that he will move on to someone else, that has a tailgate that can be remove quickly and without tools.

 

Okay, here's a diagram..........hope this makes sense. The top diagram is without the washers, the bottom is with both the large and small washer, in place.

(see below - for diagram of explanation)


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If the yellow (small washer) washer wasn't in place, you can see that when you tightened up the #40 Torx bolt, it would force it into the truck frame, and then the tailgate cable clip would not be free to rotate on the shoulder. The small washer only extends the length of the shoulder, on that bolt. Hope this is clear, if not, let me know !

 

Did that clear it up ?

 

Oh yea it did thanks

 

OR you can search on TW thread for ppl selling their tailgates and other misc Tacoma stuff. We should get a thread going for ppl who work in the Toyota part service dept to help out with parts number and where to get the parts for cheaper.

 

I've got tons of worm gear clamps from work. Just went out and threw one on.. will probably JB weld it later. 2 minutes for a nice piece of mind. +1