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

Hey guys, I have a few extra Tridon stainless steel clamps that I de-burred and put industrial heat shrink tubing on. If you are interested in one for $6 shipped send me a message. (all gone)

 

I just got my taco and im going to get one of these clamps today first truck so I didnt even know that these were often stolen thank you for the write up with the back up cam it would be a lot of money to replace .

 

Hello, newbie here with a question. How do you install the washer and spacer so that the cable does not bind when you close the tailgate? Thanks

 

Put a little Lock Tite on the threads before you put the bolts back in & then don't snug them down all the way. ( Flop abillaty )
A little lubrication on everything helps too.

 

Interesting article directly relevant to this:
http://autos.yahoo.com/news/pickup-truck-tailgates--easy-to-steal--thefts-on-the-rise-192847013.html

 

Just did mine with hose clamps.
I'm trying to find the bolt size for the washer idea as well. I have a shitload of spanner hardware here at work and that would be sweet. Not many people creeping around with spanner tools i would assume.
Anybody know the size off the top of your head?

 

Done.
Stay away from tailgate!

 

7 1/4 .
7 1/2 if I Really shove the hat down.

 

I'm ignoring the funny guy above me. (Yes, I chuckled..)

I did this mod after trying the McGard and deciding that it wasn't worth the $10 and the time to whittle it down with my dremel to make it work. I went with the "ideal" ones with the yellow key and it came in a 2 pack for $3 at Pep boys. I gave one to a guy at work. These are nice because it's all S.S. and won't rust like most regular steel hose clamps.

Two other guys at work with Tacos had warned me about this being a problem here in SoCal so hopefully this deterrent helps.

Last year my neighbor got his T100 AND FJ Cruiser hit on the same night for their cat's.. Now I'm paranoid knowing thieves come down this street occasionally to take a bunch down all at once.

Only time I've ever seen the cool-factor of a slammed pickup. Hard to crawl under and steal shit. LOL..

 

just watched the video on how to steal a tailgate and busted out laughing at how easy that was. Gonna have to invest in those clamps, but just wondering, would my back up camera cord slow a thief down at all?

 

Where did you find the small washer or spacer used to secure the tailgate cable? It appears to be a very odd size. What is the ID and OD?

 

I didn't measure it. It's a stainless washer that had the right OD, I just dremel tooled the ID by hand

 

My 2013 came with a locking tailgate as part of the "appearance" package...I imagine it's difficult (if not impossible) to steal the gate if you can't open it....

Or am I mistaken?

 

Thanks for that...I think finding the right OD is the best I can do. I'll drill the correct ID.

As far as locking tailgates....mine does not have one. Which package has it included?

 

The "Appearance" package - Also has all-weather seats, LED DRL's, Fog Lights, custom wheels, runningboards/nerf bars, skewp (LOL), Sliding rear window, and some other stuff I can't remember without looking at the paperwork.

 

I wish my '13 did, although i'm guessing only the ones without the backup camera have this. That's what kills the pop-n-locks for me.. I love that little camera. I think in addition to to my yellow-key SS hose clamp I'm going to add the big washer on both sides.

I still want to find a good Cat-guard that isn't 600-700 for two!!

 

pop n lock fits the cam, it just moves it to the driver side of handle

 

New b here just found this thread don't wanna get mines stolen. Just to be sure can anyone give me some info on the 2012 tailgate mod I seen a couple ways I want to secure my tailgate on this thread. I like the clamp with the key but not sure what size clamp I need also wanted to know how to put shrink wrap around it to not make the paint chip any help is appreciated thanks

 

One thing I found with the Pop Lock is that the cam seems to stick out a bit more than what it did with the stock handle. I can see a bit more it seems. The cam is just on the opposite side of the key lock.