Tailgate theft?

I was with you all the way until the bottom. So you do all that, but then just leave it unlocked. What is the sense in that?

I do the hose clamp and face the head down, but only on the off chance that I FORGET to lock the tailgate, which I havent forgot yet.

I get that locks can be picked, but if the scumbag has the knowledge and fortitude to pick the lock, I dont think the little hose clamp is going to be a problem.

 

Wrong. The only person responsible for the safety of your person and property is you.

 

I have seen posts where owners put washers on the wire to keep it from being taken off. Does anyone know the size of these washers?

 

Best thing to do is go to your local hardware store and find what works best. The size of the washer really isnt the issue, its that you'd need to find a spacer thats wider than the washer to fit between the bolt and the ID of the washer. Once you take the tailgate bolt off, youll see what I mean. Wont be an issue, just need to find what fits.

The spacer would be so the washer wont get tight enough, so the tailgate cable still has the proper amount of free play.

 

Kllrbee is right. The larger washer is easy enough to find if you take the bolt with you, but the tiny washers are the hard part.

A post I linked in the above comment calls for a “#12m fender washer” for the large one, whatever that is

 

I didn't go as far as you but I did use a hose clamp with a square drive and used some funky combo of extensions and a universal adapter to position the head as frustratingly as I dared but still removable at home should I need to like you.

With my topper and dual swing outs there's already more steps to get to it vs someone with an open bed and standard bumper.

Even still been considering coming up with some kind of lock bar for the swings but just never really felt the need.

Most people I tell to go grab anything out of the back return with "how do I get into it?"

Hopefully a thief would glance at it and think the same before moving along.

 

i've got a roll-up tonneau cover. and 6 years of ownership with convertibles.

i'd rather they take the tailgate than slice the tonneau. because then i'm out the tailgate, and the tonneau. not that my cover is so expensive, i'd just rather not need to go through the hassle for both.

i also don't keep anything of any value in the bed, but use the truck like a truck at random intervals. an electronic lock is a distinct possibility, but manually locking it presents extra difficulty in my use of the truck that i'm not willing to sacrifice.

 

this is a good option too and only 15-20 bucks

mcgard the locking lug nut company

 

Contact @christian06and check his product
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-anti-theft-device.593155/

 

i looked at that but i didnt know if there was enough room to fit a washer in there

 

They make other security products too.

 

cool, tailpipe security

 

Makes sense. I think the electronic lock will also be on my short list. As I said, Ive been diligent with locking it manually multiple times daily. But thats going to get real old, real fast, pretty soon here.

 

honestly, i really just don't want to run the wiring to the cab--i've got a lot of idea's for electronics in the bed and at the rear bumper, so trying to consolidate wiring runs instead of making 6 different pulls through the same routes is more of a priority.

i'm also running a yotamd keyfob case, so my mechanical key is a lot harder to access and really just an emergency backup.

 

EXACTLY. My neighbor had her catalytic converter stolen and she had insurance. As you said, after deductible, etc, she STILL had to pay $1200 out of pocket! But the overall cost to replace her converter would have been $3000 if she had not had insurance.

 

Has anyone done the remote locking tailgate install themselves? Been thinking about doing it but seems like a bit of work.

 

The OEM is easy to do. It's plug and play. Only hard part is lying under the truck for 15 minutes running a wire along the frame. I did it without jacking up the truck, just lying on a piece of carboard and I'm 73 years old.
Note: It does not come with instructions. They can be downloaded though:

 

I have the original installations instructions from Toyota in a pdf file. I will attach them below. In my own case though, I did NOT install mine connected to the door unlock/lock system, but to a switch provided my PopNLock, that I could mount on my lower dash. I did not need to have my tailgate constantly locking and unlocking every time I got in and out of the truck! The switch totally works for me. But in any case, the installation instructions are below...

 

I got mine in red because I figure.....if they see it they'll walk away without trying to damage anything. I'm all for shooting thieves.

 

@grandpawmoses @oogielaflick thanks for the info! Did you order parts through Toyota? I asked our local dealer’s parts department and they gave me a funny look and said they had no idea what I was talking about.