Tailgate theft?

Is this a problem for 3rd gen with the tailgate locked?

I've seen tons of stuff on youtube, etc about tailgate theft, but no reasonable devices for a 3rd gen. Is it safe as long as it is locked?

 

100%, there's a simple worm clamp method that will let you sleep easier at night.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTaco...ilgate_hose_clamp_mod_just_a_1_34_hose_clamp/

Bigger problem is catalytic converter theft and gas tanks being drilled.

I've actually never seen a Tacoma tail gate stolen in my 15 years as a Toyota tech. Even though they are a joke to steal.

 

Ok. Thanks. I think you're saying 3rd gen is 100% safe if locked?
I however have know people who had some earlier models whose tailgate was stolen. I will look into Cat theft.

 

I’ve seen a few tailgate anti theft device threads here, and I plan to install one once I get my truck. A few bucks in preventive measure seems worth it.

 

Has anyone tried this one? (for 3rd Gen)

SaBellCo 2016-2022 US Made Tailgate Lock v2.1 - Anti-Theft Lock - Black - for Toyota Tacoma

 

Yeah, it IS a thing that tailgates are stolen, but the biggest theft states are Texas and California. The simple thing is to install a hose clamp, which will cost you less than $3 to do. Do it right though, and paint the hose clamp black first, making it less noticable, and when you put it on, turn it so the screw on the hose clamp is tightened from UNDER THE TRUCK. That way, it is much more of a deterrent. But tailgate thefts are a thing, and if you just think about it, it is well worth it to do some preemptive things. But if you have a tailgate lock, and a hard bed cover, you are fairly safe, as long as the tailgate is locked. But if it is stolen, 9 times out of 10, they will lift the tailgate out, and just cut the cables going to tailgate and operating the camera. And if you have priced out a replacement cable alone, with installation, it will shock you! But then, there is the replacement tailgate itself, along with a replacement camera, and then you have to paint the tailgate, etc. So what seems like a simple tailgate theft, is really something over $3000 by the time you figure everything into it. Well worth taking some precautions. Also, as someone else mentioned, another precaution well worth taking, is to get some kind of catalytic converter cover. I recommend Talon. It is an easy install, as it uses existing holes, so there is no drilling. Pull your truck onto a curb for additional clearance under the truck, and just get under there and screw the cover on.

 

NO.....addding a few more measures is needed.
if it happens the thing that scares me is if the wiring harness is damaged

 

Exactly! The wiring harness replacement is a real PITA to do and not cheap either. As I mentioned earlier, add that in, with a new tailgate, camera, painting, and wiring harness, and you are talking serious money here!

 

Locking is a solid first step, but there’s no harm in taking extra precautions.
This thread is recent and has links to the most popular tailgate theft-prevention products and tips on the diy deterrents. I use a hose clamp that requires a key and washers on the tailgate cables so they also cannot simply be lifted off.

Nothing is going to stop someone who is determined to steal your tailgate, but the diy methods are simple, cheap and add extra steps to the process of tailgate removal. Anything to make your truck a more difficult target will prevent opportunistic thieves

 

i added a hose clamp and this

 

my 12 year old f150 tail gate was ripped off and insurance paid me $1900, no camera or wiring , 8 years ago, and then you have to worry about your taillights being stolen till you get a tailgate

 

the ONLY 100% safe method is to sell the truck and take public transportation.

there is no product, concept, or idea that will 100% prevent anything from happening to your truck while you still maintain ownership of it.

this is no different than a house-- a large brick box is very secure--many people even call such a room a 'vault'. and then some bumble-headed engineer decides he wants to see out of the brick box and puts some sheets of thin, fragile, easily-broken glass panes right in the sides of it!


by adding products like a hose clamp, you're making it more difficult and consequently more time consuming for anyone that attempts the theft.

that is a good first step, but theft prevention is layers. parking away from typical traffic, without much light, for extended periods of time, are going to remove almost every layer of security, no matter how complex or well thought out.


the answer to every single theft question begins with you asking a different question. "how bad do they want it?" the point is to have just enough security measures just past the point of what one would anticipate being the most amount of effort any individual is going to put into the task, so that the individual can see it's not worth the effort and there's easier ways to feed his kids.

but there's also a point where you need to be asking "if someone wants this part, come hell or high water, what are they going to damage to get it?"


i did the hose clamp. and with that, i rounded out the phillips part, used a more obscure chinese hex size that is smaller than 10mm, and larger than 1/4". almost no one will carry that size with them. and then i placed the bolt head in an orientation that's difficult to get to at all.

i don't lock my tailgate. but if anyone wants my tailgate, i want them to have to put some effort into it, but also not damage the rest of the truck to get it. maybe it gets stolen, maybe not. that's what i've got insurance for.

 

That’s the best one for our tacoma. Got one in black too

 

Prosecution to the extent of the law might serve as a deterrent. Our legislators might be able to make laws tougher. Not electing soft prosecutors might help. The responsibility of theft deterrence should not wholly fall on those victimized.

 

Put a hose clamp on it and keep the thing locked. Simple as that, scumbag thieves will move to an easier target. Whats more important, and never discussed here on this forum, is the fact that one must keep ones property properly insured. If you have the right coverage you can rest little easier and not sweat this stuff. There will always be scumbags looking to steal from folks. It's just the way it is. Im not going to pay for a cat theft deterrent , Geico is gonna replace it, if and when it gets clipped.

 

One last thing .... Fuck those who steal

 

Problem is a 8 month wait for replacement cats due to supply chain, also minus deductible.

 

When thieves die, the world wins.

 

Thieves can eat my meat

 

It is not 100% but it can be lock picked then steal it if done quick enough before the thief gets spotted by neighbor.

All you do is add aftermarket alarm to your truck... once opened, the alarm goes off if armed.

Or keep it in garage with FOB keys off.