Stolen Tailgate

Does anyone have a 2020 white tailgate in San Diego County, California? Mine was just stolen tonight and I’m looking to buy one ASAP

 

I always keep mine locked.

 

Damn sorry to hear that! Good luck looking!

 

chances are that if you buy one online it could be stolen as well, also once you find it you need to re cylinder it at a locksmith shop .Back to your question try offer up , ebay, maybe even at a junkyard

 

a skilled thief can still drill out the lock, so I wouldnt be too smug about it

 

There’s a bit more to do than just lock the tailgate- that’s easy to circumvent, and we don’t know if OP’s was locked or not. One can make it harder to steal by putting a lock over the hinge so it’s not easily removed, a Sabelco lock or something like it, and also put fender washers on the bolts holding the support cable eyes so they can’t be easily slid off.

 

How much is your deductible?

Finding a complete tailgate, the same color, isn't that easy. Will likely be stolen, then you are helping the same guys that stole your tailgate.

I would check car-part.com and buy one from a wrecked Tacoma. At least you will know it's not stolen.

 

Didn't mean to be smug... it sux that the OP got his stolen. I've found mine unlocked a few times and wipe my brow realizing my oversight.

We are at the mercy of thieves.

 

Some countries still cut hands off of convicted thieves. Sometimes wish we had that here. Nothing worse than working hard, saving money, buying something, then have it stolen.

 

As long as our justice system just shakes a finger at "caught red-handed thieves" and punishing to the max, anyone who actively tried to stop them, we're in a sad world.

 

This is the tailgate lock I bought for my 22. A little on the pricey side, but worth it.

$49 Tavaski Tailgate Anti-Theft Lock Fit for Toyota Tacoma 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023, Truck Bed Tailgate Locks with Key Zinc Alloy Easy to Install -Black

https://www.amazon.com/Tavaski-Tail...5544986&sprefix=toyota+tacoma,aps,9294&sr=8-3

 

I'd go for that ( except for some things like food ) if they coupled it with the death penalty for driving under the influence... well perhaps
just losing both feet so they couldn't operate the gas pedal would work as well.

 

I just use a hose clamp wrapped around the removable end. No, its not perfect - but it would take a theif 10 minutes unscrew the pipe clamp, and theres really no room in there for wire cutters or power tools. That, combined with a pop-n-lock and I've been a-okay.

Theifs are looking for a grab & go situation. If its inconvenient, they'll move on to the next truck.

 

i have a white truck coming on a semi. i will put a hoseclamp on the removable end ASAP. i had it on my 2nd gen and for almost 1.5 decades it was never taken. i have come to it opened, but that's all.

sucks to hear this is still a thing.

 

Tailgates should be acquired through a junkyard (where you witness them pull the part or they can show you the truck it came from) or through a proper body shop. Neither will be quick. If you need something today, a load stop and straps will get you through.

I just can't get into the used tailgate market. You know where it came from, and who you are enabling with that nonsense.

Best of luck.

 

Sorry to hear about that. I know how it feels. I've had two cars stolen and another broken into. Definitely feels like a personal violation. Right now my car is sitting on the street w/o cat shields (I'm waiting for delivery), and each day I hope the criminals don't get to the car before the shields arrive.

 

2nd thing i do to my new truck.

 

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

Do not feed the beast.

 

Hoseclamps are designed to be easily removable. Hex head and phillips head. Except for possibly being a pain to unwrap from around that "removable side" axle, how does that delay by 10 minutes, if not just the pain-in-butt effort to unwrap it from the rotating part?