DIY tailgate lock

I already have both the clamp and washer mod on the tailgate but didn't like that the tailgate could still be opened so I bought some d-rings from Amazon and just started messing with it.



Items needed:
Torx T30
10mm socket
Ruler
Dremel
D-rings ×4 (4 V-Ring Tie Down Anchors from Amazon $13.99)

First I unscrewed the 7 T30 screws holding the top tailgate cover. Once that's off unscrew the T30 screw on each side, insert a d-ring. Make sure they sit flush before retightening.



Then I made the measurements and cut away.



Make sure you trim the inner divider because the cover will not go back on properly if not trimmed.


Once that's finished slide one side in and slightly bend the middle of the cover in order to slide the other side in. Be careful not to break any of the clips under the cover. Screw all 7 of the T30 screws after.


Take your 10mm socket and unscrew the socket on the right. You can either reuse the 10mm screw with the d-ring like I did before til someone mentioned how easy it was to unscrew so I used some security screws (I think they're M6) that I used for my license plate before.


I ended up doing this on both sides so now my tailgate is secured tight with little to no play.

 

My old setup with the 10mm screw

 

Some pretty good ingenuity there.

 

Nice to see the ingenuity from everyone

 

With thieves being creative you gotta be creative now a days too. It's not 100% theft proof but stacking security precautions on top of each should help deter some of them away or at least make them work for it if they want it that bad.

 

This is what the tweakers carry in their backpacks now days.

 

Nice!

 

Very creative, and well done. Nice ride up too.

 

Great idea! Maybe even rivet that one D-ring so they can’t just unscrew it.

 

Yeah I've since replaced the old 10mm bolt with a security screw. Someone also mentioned that to me lol

 

Tailgate lock, clamp mod plus this = it’s not going anywhere. lol

 

We all know nothing is absolutely theft proof, but I love ideas that make it less convenient, at least, for the thief. Cool work.

 

Ya gotta make them work hard for it if they want it that bad.

 

And this in there front pocket.

 

^Wow!

 

You've got some very sophisticated tweekers in your parts, it might be better if u just weld it shut, lol

 

sumbitches.......otta just go get a job.....

 

problem solved........

 

If tweakers stole those, because they sure are hell don't buy anything, they'd take them right down to the pawnshop.

 

Just finished this in about 20 minutes. Genius level - thanks for sharing it!