Is there a VIN tag on the tailgate?

Mine got jacked last night, found a new listing for the one in my color this morning. Wanna check and see if it’s mine, but obviously don’t have one right now to look at

 

Bring your key and put it in the tailgate lock... if it works then thats your tailgate.

 

There is not unless you had the foresight to have one etched prior to the theft.

I can say this. If its on craigslist or marketplace, yes, it 99% is stolen. It might or might not be yours. If you didn't memorize the dings or customize it, there is no way to tell.

I highly recommend going through a reputable body shop to source a proper, not stolen tailgate as your replacement.


Sorry it happened to you.

 

To be the jackass who only gives advice but hoping it makes thengs better later ... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/awesome-tailgate-anti-theft-device.789915/page-19#post-30009626

 

Take a cop with ya when ya check it!

 

Probably will not go with you, unless you prove beforehand it is yours. They have fatal wrong-way driver events and bank robberies to deal with. Bringing a witness is a good idea, though, and take video that the key works. Still could easily become a "confrontation" that gets everybody potentially arrested.

 

There aren't many colors for 3rd gen tacos. Just cause you saw an ad for 1 in your color doesn't mean it's yours. Tread lightly as this could be a slippery dangerous path.

 

I’m very aware of the risks here…thanks for the replies.

I heard it happening last night, but decided to stay in bed as to not end up in a worse situation. This isn’t my first rodeo with stolen cars/parts.

 

Good choice to wait. People think if they bought a gun and fired it 3 times they are prepared to protect their property. I do not know if you have a gun, but not being trained well enough to use it can be a death sentence. I also speak about myself. I am glad you chose to live and deal with it later.

As I stated, not to be a jackass, but preventing another theft is a good path to follow.

 

So you show up and determine that it is in fact your tailgate, what then? And calling 911 is not an acceptable answer.

 

Yeah ... confrontations with people of "unknown tendencies" is a risk. And the seller may not be the thief ... may have either ignored the "history" or be an innocent victim of the "supply chain". Without knowing, "in your face" is not a good approach.

When humans decided to live in relative peace in cities with laws, many new layers were added to our burdens.

 

This will be a process...and I haven't figured out all the details yet, we're in the planning stages. What you describe is absolutely not an option. Right now, I'm not worried about the money, my goal is to collect evidence

 

Using a gun to defend stuff will land your ass in jail every time!

 

This is a very sticky situation. I realize the temptation to go to the seller and see if your key works in the lock. Not knowing the person you are dealing with that would be a bad idea as others said. Hopely you filed a police report of the theft. Maybe you can share the listing with a police detective if they are willing and have time to investigate they could take a copy of your key with them in plain clothes and pretend to be a buyer. That however may not be possible if you live in a bigger city or dem state like California or New York where they don't or can't make time for property crimes.

Best thing you can do is prevent theft. there are some tailgate locks that can be added to help prevent the tailgate being removed from the truck or do what I did to mine. I added a power tail lock so the tailgate is locked when the doors are locked. I also put a hose clamp around the hinge to slow them down if they get past the locked latch.

 

Hopefully the seller isn’t reading this thread. Good luck OP

 

Do you live in an area that has a legal system that do something about this crime?
Just something to consider.
I’m not saying don’t do something about it,, at some point someone needs to do something, as clearly we’re in a time many areas standard channels won’t.

 

Agreed re the first part but with the roughly 24 hours in between that's less likely re the tailgate's travel.

 

My local PD has a monitored area for online sale meetups, if yours does see if they'll meet there. Let's just say that happens and the key turns you're in a perfect place to report..plus the seller is less likely to do something violent there.

 

Did you call 911 last night and report that you could hear someone outside messing with your truck?

 

lol…no, I live in Long Beach CA.