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

I used to own a 2008 Tacoma ( base)
And I used the hose clamp method.. one night two dudes tried to take the tail gate, no luck. They even came back a second time to try again.
First thing I did when I brought my 2022 SR home was install a hose clamp. Cheap and Effective. Just be sure to leave no slack and point the screw head down and use a small wrench to tighten.

 

I tried that initially but Iwasn’t able to find a hose clamp big enough here in the local stores close to me in Belgium.

 

I went ahead and spent the $ on this thing. There is a cheaper knock-off on Amazon that is probably just as good. This thing is very simple, and quite overpriced.... but that sums up about everything on these trucks. Cheaper than a new tailgate

 

VERY simple to install. Just have to loosen the tailgate plastic cover screws

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX7aiNPszy0

 

Initially I purchased the one from Amazon: Tavaski Tailgate Anti-Theft Lock Fit for Toyota Tacoma

But, sadly did not fit with tailgate maybe that one was a defective part. So I returned and ordered the one from SaBellCo lock system, and it fit better than the other one.

 

I've seen my hose clamp in action, lol
Sticking with that. I'm sure there's room to put two 3/4" wide clamps, if you really want to annoy these bastards stealing tail gates.

 

Taco Team,
While we're on the topic of keeping thieves off our trucks, is there a link for catalytic converter theft deterrents?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/catalytic-converter-theft.720471/

 

Thank you

 

So the Tavaski lock and all the knockoffs that show up as many other names these days on ebay and Amazon were molded from an older version of our lock machined aluminum lock and then casted in zink in the republic of china. They say they are machined, but the three round circles on the bottom show it is a casted or molded part which are brittle. The casting can be broken out with a socket and a few good taps on the lock and the bottom will break out (as tested). There have been some security updates and mods that make it fit better and more secure over the past six years of this products production. Not sure of the support they offer, but I have been told you get the Amazon Robot.

Typical of many USA made products they make a mold and cast them, lower the price and saturate the market. When the original OEM manufacture goes out of business, the price is sure to go up. This is how it works and as a USA company there is not much you can do.

It is a personal option if you want the lower cost item, but there is more labor associated with the SaBellCo lock. All the parts and materials for our products are USA sourced. We have not raised prices even though material cost has increased by 20% and shipping has gone up recently but wish we could and keep the lights on and machines running.

Want to thank all the folks that keep us going. Since we have been making these locks we have not had any reports of tailgates with our locks getting stolen, just the saves. It is always good to be part of the solution. We will keep doing this until the order stop coming in and then we will shut it down and do something different.

 

Thanks so much

scleaf


my SaBellCo lock system came really fast coming from CA to Belgium via APO.

 

Oh... Well, I'm glad I bought the SaBellCo then.... Definitely worth the $$$ knowing this info

 

Also looks nice, I was planning to get the red one, but the black one looks more stock since I don't have a tonneau cover yet, can't get one mail over here , looking at the hilux since are similar dimensions.

 

Lmao. This is awesome

 

What size PVC?

 

This is one of the many reasons we should buy American made products. I sell to American Manufacturing and know the blood, sweat and hard work that goes into the products. Lets keep our products Made In America!!!

On a side note, I was on ebay looking at all the poorly made knock offs and came across this seller (tinfun22) using one of SaBellCo pictures...They could not even use their own pics.

 

Its unfortunate, They even say it is machined from 6061 and use the words right off our web page, even the part about reverse engineering. They are made of cast zink and molded not machined, three holes on the bottom show it is a casted product. The bottom of the hole for the lock will break right through allowing the lock to be punched out the bottom of the lock fitting. Tried it myself with a 5/8 socket and a hammer. That said it will slow someone down for sure and make a bunch of noise. Fleabay does not do anything to protect anyone's products, just their profits, but whatever.

 

I was wondering what the hell that thing was on my tailgate hinge! Sweeet

 

WOW!! I'm heading to the hardware store now, thanks again!!!