Tail gate theaf!!

Lol this has been happening for awhile now, search youtube for guys stealing tailgates

 

Would be neat if you could mod the on board electrical outlet in the bed to to put about 220 volts to the tailgate. Someone else might steal a tailgate but that one would be done. Crispy even.

 

For those of us who don't want to spend $75 on that beautiful lock, use the $1.25 hose clamp method described above. I put mine in backwards with the screw part facing down between the bumper and bed, and used a long skinny flathead screwdriver to tighten it from the space between the bed and bumper - no way the thief can get it off without spending some time under the truck with a flashlight. Then, add a 7/8 flat washer to the cable stops (need a T40 torx), a nylon spacer washer to let the cable stop rotate when the bolt is tight, and the theif will definitely leave your tailgate for another if they don't have the right tools.

 

Electric fence shocker- someone touches any metal part of your car gets a strong zap - easy peasy (caution: may affect your onboard electronics):

 

I Wonder if an ezpass (Toll sensor) gets a signal if it is mounted inside of a tailgate? That way if it is read at a toll you get a picture of there license plate?

 

Good idea , I bet this would work in side the tailgate also . https://www.thetileapp.com/en-us/luggage-trackers

 

I leave my old iPhone hidden in our trailer plugged in as a 'find my phone' tracker and 911 emergency phone, maybe some way to do that?

 

As the first layer of protection even before a lock or hose clamp, what about just combat parking (reverse into the parking spot) and back as close as you can to a wall or something? Whatever parking lot you're in, back into a spot that has a tree, wall, heavy shrub, etc. to block access to the tailgate. Sometimes this is impossible and I get that. But it seems like the easiest solution in a pinch.

 

Funny how first time the W and I went out shopping (and it came time to load the groceries in the bed) she went to open the tailgate and it was locked. I said "I've got to unlock it". She started laughing and said "why in the world are you locking a tailgate on an open pickup?!!" Told her about tailgate thefts. She couldn't believe it would be a problem and said "uhm, okay crazy man".

Two weeks later her nephew was posting on facebook about losing the tailgate off his new F150. I think she gets it now.

 

my first "mod" to my truck was to install hose clamps and after hearing about tailgate thefts I keep mine locked all the time. That sucks when people do stuff like this.

 

You made me go out and lock my tailgate!!! They even cut the cable...not like they weren't making it already difficult on you!

 

Last month when I picked up my Taco at the dealership, the salesman gave me some "tips" before I left. Conversation went like this:

Sales guy: "Take the rail cleats off when you're not using them, they get stolen".
Me:"People seriously do that?".
Sales guy: Yup, that's probably why yours are missing (brand new truck). We'll grab them off another truck. Also, bed mats are popular too, so you might consider taking yours out when not in use".
Me: "No shit! Good to know"

The same week, my neighbor who has an F-250 saw my truck and said "Yea, definitely lock your tailgate. You'd be surprised how easy someone can just take them off and that's that."

I would have never thought of any of this stuff being swiped, but i'll heed to caution. F that!

 

I like this idea. Another thought would be to use the same hose clamp and apply generous amounts of JB Weld to coatr the entire head screw. No easy way to get the clamp off with a flat head or socket set.

I personally still like the lock idea, but above would be another cheap solution.

 

is this your tail gate?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/d/2016-toyota-tacoma-tailgate/6444584636.html

 

Good find. Do tailgates have VIN etched or at least a sticker on them?

 

Does it still have the lock? If the key fits...

 

...and how about that camera cable- is it spliced after being hacked off with garden shears?

 

Right?! Go and make the initial contact with this seller, and as you are checking it out, just whip out your key to just "see if it fits". When it does, you and the friend you brought with a .44 kick the shit outta this scumbag!

And, if it doesn't, then you don't want it. Then you drive off in your tailgate-less Tacoma...sadly

 

It would be nice if they were marked.

 

yeah, when I first got my 07 I kept somehow removing the tail gate when I'd open it.. it really isn't held in there very snug... LOL.