Tailgate antitheft device revisited

I didn't like the hose clamp idea. I don't take the tailgate off either so I made a sleeve to prevent removal. This is made out of PVC pipe and painted with bedliner. You could make it out of aluminum or steel. To install it I unbolted the hinge from the tailgate, slipped the sleeve over the hinge and then held the tailgate up and put the bolts back in place. It's a much cleaner look and I feel it's at least as secure as the hose clamp. Photo attached.

 

Actually, I have been thinking about doing the same thing. What size PVC did you use?

 

Looks good. Looks like a factory piece.

 

I did this at least a year ago so I just went out and measured the OD @ 2". I don't remember if it was pipe, a coupler or a cap that I used but I think it was pipe. It was just something I had laying around the garage. I measured the width and used a pipe cutter to score a line around the pvc and cut it with a hacksaw. Then I sanded it smooth, rounded the edges a little and painted it. I had planned to replace two of the bolts with those security allan bolts with the pin in the middle but never got around to it.

 

That looks way better than the hose clamp, great job! I might give this one a shot. I ordered a dynolock today but you can never be too careful.

 

Thanks!