Locked Tailgate Stolen?

You don’t need to. Someone above mentioned that it could bind up like a similar bike lock. Grease would keep out the dirt, sand and mud so if you needed to take it off to remove the tailgate, it could be removed without fail.

 

Seeing how dusty it gets back there, grease would just pick up more dirt and could make things worse. Maybe some sort of a plug.

 

I will look for some kind of cover or weatherproof sticker something like this.



The locks that come with this are high quality locks, but hitting it with some 3in1 oil once a year would not hurt.

 

When I put the hose clamp on my tailgate I turned it so a screwdriver can't loosen the hose clamp. It requires a wrench and a lot of time.

 

My post was meant as a compliment! And that is some organized garage. Also, a compliment!

 

It works fine. Probably just tighter than they'd like it to fit.

 

I didn’t think it could be stolen on the Gen 3’s if locked.

Guess I have to put the “hose clamp mod” on the Gen 3 also.

 

Never hurts to be safe for the 1 time you forget to lock it.

 

Are you getting a new tailgate?

 

It’s a truck I did the same on my 1st gen it was dented in spots. My theory is it’ll happen again if you fix it.

 

I've seen posts about this before, can't remember the size of the hose clamp and washers people use?
I need to do this already.
EDIT: Found it
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-theft-how-to-prevent-it.27829

 

I installed the clamp soon after I joined here. I was bored today, so I did this:


Took just a few minutes and really decreases the target-of-opportunity level.

 

Or so you think.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stolen-tailgate.429777/

 

It doesn't say what direction the clamp was installed. That was the point of my post. No biggie though.

Sometimes, there are just some motivated thieves?

 

Yeah, I thought I might get a "motivated" thief, so I turned my clamp over as well and then I put JB Weld all over the screw head part of the clamp...They would have fun getting anything on that clamp to remove it... If I need to remove it....4" grinder and 5 seconds...

Also.... I added washers to both cables, so that they do not disconnect without removing the Torx screw on both sides.....!!

I also try to keep it locked..!

Pic. BEFORE the JB Weld and flipping it over...



Pic of washer installed....

 

Nice! I have been thinking about the washers also.

 

If it’s anything like what I’ve learned about ARs, if it’s lubed it’ll get dirty but still work. If it’s dry it’ll stay clean but it won’t work.

 

Found a size #20 3/4"-1-3/4" stainless steel hose clamp for $1.00 at my local hardware store. Positioned it so it has to be tightend/loosened with a long screwdriver from underneath, between the bed and tailgate.

 

Seriously, quit messing around!