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

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by chris4x4, Feb 21, 2009.

  1. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:38 AM
    #1
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    There has been alot of talk on here about the theft of tailgates. The Tacoma Tailgate comes off VERY quickly and easily:

    th_tialgatetheft001_0b7e29f8a9ca995a6dc08748a6b88f76f104e60f.jpg

    AS you can see, it took all of 10 seconds to remove my tailgate.

    Now, In the Cheap/easy mods section, there is a ton of info on how to prevent this. If wanting to use a hose clamp, this is what you will need:

    1. SAE #20 clamp. This clamp is for diameters of 3/4" to 1 3/4". 18mm to 44mm if your Canadian or from some other country that isnt on the same page as us Americans. You can use a screw driver, or a small socket to install these. OR, you can pick up "E-Z Hose clamps from your favorite Walmart. They have a "Key" on the nut of the hose clamp that can be removed, and it uses a 5 point head so a screw driver or socket will not work on these. Amazon also sells these clamps online.

    Demo of how easy it is to take off:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGt1nyTLG9Y

    How to secure it:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR-AJjZoGo8

    Close up pic:
    [​IMG]

    You may have to use a pair of pliers to remove the Key from the clamp. If it doesnt come right off, get some pliers and pullit off with those. Afterward, the key will come right off when used to remove and reinstall the clamp in the future.

    I didnt remove anything to show how EASY AS PIE this is to do. Now, Go out and do this. $2.54 is cheap as opposed to replaceing a tailgate.

    :)





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  2. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:43 AM
    #2
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

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    Now you tell me....
     
  3. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:44 AM
    #3
    neontrail

    neontrail ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

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    DUDE!! I love you!!!!

    I loved the birds and the kid in the backround!!

    Nice work!! And TY!!!
     
  4. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:44 AM
    #4
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Christ, Ed, its been in the Cheap/easy mods for how long??? :p
     
  5. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:46 AM
    #5
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

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    I know.... I know.....

    2.45 against 1k

    :pout::pout:
     
  6. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:47 AM
    #6
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    You can be our spokes person for this mod. :D
     
  7. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:47 AM
    #7
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

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    Actually I get it now, you are trying to rub it on my face....

    Its working....
     
  8. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
    #8
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

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    yeah, im gonna send him a message, if he has a black one he hasnt seen on his garage....
     
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  9. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:50 AM
    #9
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    No, Buddy, Im not. I DO, however, want to let everyone know that it can happen very fast. If you have an alarm, which I do, and it was "Armed" at the time of my vid, you can see that it wont set the alarm off. I have heard too many tailgates getting yanked off of trucks, and I have NEVER lost one with this mod. Im pretty sure someone has tried, as one time I came out to my truck and the gate was down. SO, its a very small investment to protect your tailgate.
     
    BadgersFan, TacoMill and markelhof like this.
  10. Feb 21, 2009 at 11:54 AM
    #10
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

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    I know bro.... ;)

    Yes gents, you better secure your tailgates..... its not cheap to replace....

    if yours gets stolen, DONT BUY IT on a non trusted place..... they might be the ones that stole it from you.....dont create the market for them....
     
  11. Feb 21, 2009 at 12:51 PM
    #11
    SC4333

    SC4333 Well-Known Member

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    Excellent demonstration, Chris!

    I'm sure this will bring some more awareness to the severity of this problem, and just how easy it is to get ripped off.
     
    Gossamer 1981 likes this.
  12. Feb 21, 2009 at 12:55 PM
    #12
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Thats what Im hoping for. And to show its just as easy to prevent it from happening. :)
     
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  13. Feb 21, 2009 at 12:56 PM
    #13
    Liam1234

    Liam1234 Well-Known Member

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    GREAT VID's. THANKS!!
     
  14. Feb 21, 2009 at 1:02 PM
    #14
    Lentsnh

    Lentsnh Well-Known Member

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    Nice write up Chris. But will the hose clamps scrape/or rub off the paint when you open and close you tailgate?
     
  15. Feb 21, 2009 at 1:04 PM
    #15
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    No. Before I made the vid, I removed and reinstalled mine a few times to see if any paint damage has been done. The only damage I have ever had from this mod is, on my Nissan, someone tried to pry off the clamp, and it scratched the paint around the tailgate attachment. Nothing visable when the gate is closed.
     
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  16. Feb 21, 2009 at 1:05 PM
    #16
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Well.....I umm..Love you too, neon. :eek:
     
  17. Feb 21, 2009 at 1:09 PM
    #17
    Delmarva

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    Rep to you sir :thumbsup:
     
  18. Feb 21, 2009 at 1:26 PM
    #18
    TicTacOma

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    Sounds like someone lives near Sky Harbor. Can you see the "Camel" from where you live?

    Thanks for passing this along. This was the first thing I did as soon as the truck hit my driveway. Also installed the tailgate lock, total time for both mods....20 minutes. If you have a cordless screw gun with a Torx bit adapter, those Torx spin right out, you slide the lock through the existing handle, put on the two nuts and then button it up.

    Sorry to hear about your 'gate Ed.
     
  19. Feb 21, 2009 at 1:32 PM
    #19
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Yes. I live RIGHT under the flight path of the south runway. Sometimes I feel like I have to wave off the pilots that want to land on my roof. I dont mind it actually. I like planes, and I cant hear them in my house. :)

    I used to have a GREAT view until about 2 years ago when some 3 story condos were built in front of my house. SO, no, I cant see Camelback. :(
     
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  20. Feb 21, 2009 at 1:36 PM
    #20
    Simon2150

    Simon2150 Well-Known Member

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    thanks for the write up and vids, I may do this even though I have the undercover tonneau
     
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