1999 Tailgate security - is it an issue on 1st gen?

With all the tailgates thefts on tacomas, a friend from work suggested the hose clamp trick which is covered on YouTube - however when I looked at my tailgate (I own a 1999 single cab tacoma) it didn't look anything like the YouTube video (he didnt mention the year of his truck in the vid).

I didn't see from inspecting my tailgate that there was a way to connect the hose clamp or even an easy way of getting the tailgate off - at least not quickly.

Does anyone know if the the 1st gen tacomas are suseptable to tailgate theft?

I tend to believe that this type of quick removal of the tailgate was something changed for the second generation. Anyone know?

Thanks all!

 

I've owned 1st gens for close to 20 years. I never worry about tail gate theft. It takes extra effort to get them off. They are not quickly removable.

The whole truck is more likely to get stolen in my opinion.

 

Shouldn’t be since you have to remove two bolts to get them out. IIRC the 2nd gens lift right out so they are targeted.

Getting the truck broken into is quite easy though. I learned that the hard way...

 

Thanks Koditten! Yeah my 99 turns 20 next October (bought it in October of 98) - just passed 400K! I figured this was something changed on later generations.

 

Thanks boostedka - yeah i use a club - which is sorta useless but I am thinking of getting a pedal guard since I need to now park on the street.

 

get an alarm if youre worried. i did. also got a tailgate lock

 

I put an alarm on mine after I had my catalytic converter stolen at work in the parking lot. 90 seconds with a cordless saws-all and gone. Got them on tape thanks to security cameras in the lot. They were, maybe still are more popular to steal than tailgates.

 

There's a thread on this forum where a guy installed a hidden switch on the fuel pump power wire under the steering wheel. That seems like the way to go for people who are worried about truck theft.

 

There's more than 1 way to steal a vehicle, all you can do is try to slow the thief down in hopes that he would rather just move on. Keeping your vehicle clean is one, if they don't see anything worth taking they will move on.

 

True....sad, but true!

 

I’ve never once worried about my tailgate getting stolen. I’d worry more about the whole truck, or any of the crap laying on the seats or in the bed getting stolen.

I don’t think 1st gen tail gates lift right out, anyway.

 

...because everyone wants a 6 speed these days.