How to: Thief proof your tailgate for $1.20

I was looking for a more secure, yet equally as thrifty option to the hose clamp mod to stop thiefs from walking away with my tailgate. The solution that I came up with is a 1.5" ID pvc pipe from the plumbing section of your local hardware store. Anything with an ID of 1.5" and an OD of ~1.75" will work just as well. In retrospect, a metal section of pipe would be more secure but I'm confident that a PVC setup will thwart 99.9% of opportunist scumbags

This is the fitting I used


Cut it down to ~.75"



Now you'll remove the hinge from your passenger side tailgate (it is held on by 3 torx screw) and push the PVC over the cutout. It will fit on tightly so you can either force it on or make a relief cut/file out the ID to make your life a little easier. I just knocked it on with a flathead and hammer. It should look like this.



Now to put it all together you'll set the hinge first (with the pvc), push your camera wire through, then attached the tailgate to the hinge while the hinge is in place. It helps to have an extra hand with this step but if you hang the other hinge as well as the safety wires, you'll be fine



And this is the result. The only way for a thief to steal your tailgate would be if they carried a set of torx heads and are willing to take the 20 mins required to remove the bolt at the bottom of the tailgate (OR if they have hulk strength and are able to figure out the exact angle to generate enough power to break the pvc at the cutout section)

 

you know what, I'll give this one to you.

10/10 creative and original

 

11/10 because practical, inexpensive, and not shitty.

 

Here's something extra I did on top of the washer and clamp mod.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-tailgate-lock.604123/

 

Nice write up!

I’m glad you’re not thinking like a thief, it shows character, but 1/8th inch wall schedule 40 pvc is not a theft deterrent.

If I was a crackhead stealing tailgates and came across that it would be a “hold my beer for a sec” moment

10/10 for contributing!

 

I thought about this but I figure if the thief is able to find the exact angle to hit the PVC at the cutout rather than the hinge and also has the strength to break it - He can have my tailgate

 

Every little bit helps but these are usually addicts were talking about.

 

Good idea.

I would agree metal would be the better option. I actually used 3 metal zip ties that I wrapped around that hinge.

 

So why not just a metal hose clamp, the one that uses a nut driver head only??

 

Hose clamp might slow a thief down about 10 seconds, I figure my method may give you another 15 mins

 

Hex head nut driver only and tap the head around behind. It would stop Joe six pack or meth head who is just walking by. The tailgate as is requires NO tools to remove.

 

A chisel and hammer will split that PVC coupling.

Plus, if you need to remove the tailgate.......it becomes a major PITA. I frequently need to remove the tailgate to clean the box of debris from yard waste, construction waste, dirt/gravel/sand that has been hauled.

Nice write up, a metal piece of black iron pipe would be more substantial for those who don't remove the tailgate frequently.

I definitely see advantages to the set up Ryan2103a referenced. Theft deterrent, tool-less tailgate removal, inexpensive.