Possibly FREE tailgate security mod

Hi everyone. Recently I've seen threads about how the Tacoma tailgates have been a hot commodity of thieves (especially the 09's with the camera). I read somewhere that someone used a gun lock to secure the tailgate.

As a police officer I had a couple of gun locks laying around the house and decided to give it a try. The result IMO was pretty good. I tried to make it work with only one lock, but the cable was not long enough. It may be possible to use one, but I really didn't try too hard. I posted some pics and the whole process took less than 5 minutes. Also there were absolutely no issues closing the tailgate. If the thieves want it bad enough they'll be able to get it, but they are going to have to unscrew the bracket.

THE BEST part is that I am pretty sure that you can get a gun lock(s) for free. Many police stations hand them out for free, as well as many pawn shops and gun dealers. I recall a couple of years ago seeing boxes and boxes of these locks laying the around my station's front lobby for citizens to take at will.

Here are some pics

1)
2 free locks I got when I purchased my guns


Looped through the bracket from the the bottom



Bottom view after looped through bracket

 

nice. great job

 

I use the same gun lock I got with my glock to secure in my bed extender. I lock it through the bars of it and then through the bed D-rings... I always wondered if anyone else used something like this.

 

cool

 

Good idea. If its started banging around it would drive me nutz! I will stick w/hose clamp/pop-n-lock mod

 

nice....

 

smart, maybe seal the lock with tape or something to prevent it from rusting and locking up.. great idea

 

I got 2 gun locks for free went i went to the police station to have one of my tickets signed off This is a good idea..

 

Went to my local Sheriff's office and got 2 free gun locks. IMO it is a better and stronger theft deterrent mod than hose clamps mentioned. Thanks a bunch Buzoff for this posted thread!!!

 

Ty Raps are your friend.

But seriously THX for posting.

 

x2

 

Finally I have a use for these damn things!

 

Awesome!!! And so far I haven't heard it banging around!!

 

You think so? So bolt cutters couldn't snap that off in mere seconds? The hose clamp needs to be unscrewed which would take much longer.

 

You are right. I just got back from Lowe's and purchased a hose clamp then also installed it onto my tailgate. I guess having gun locks and a hose clamp installed are better than having none

 

Interesting idea.

 

I actually cut a gun lock identical to the ones posted in a mater of seconds with nothing more then a pair of heavy wire cutters. It will keep the good guys away though.

I used a wrench instead of a screw driver to tighten my hose clamp and it is in the downward position. This will prevent anyone from being able to remove it with a screw driver of any type. Only a stubby wrench in the proper size will remove the clamp.

 

I have the gun locks and hose clamp combo as well. Nice photos.

 

I never heard anything about people stealing tail gates, thanks for letting me know about this. I have a lot of gun locks at my house. I hate criminals....