Cheap Tacoma tailgate theft deterrent! [Thanks, Robmotive!]

You're not better than any of us. Get off your high horse.

 

I snagged one of these and the pop and lock. Haven't thought about it since.

 

Jesus! People are stealing pet cats... oh, wait... nevermind.

 

My dad used to call them Cadillac converters, I honestly thought there a GM invention haha.

 

I've owned 8 tacomas over 17 years, never once had a tailgate stolen (knock on wood), truck always parked outside, have lived in IL, MO, NJ, MS, AZ, its not as prevelant as this forum makes it out to be (like most things on here), with the locking tailgate on the 3rd gen seems overkill to do the hoseclamp mod, though I did do it on all my 2nd gens and its been around for awhile.

 

Oh I know. I live in the fucking projects.

 

You mean my frame won't rust in two if I don't do the A/C drain mod?

 

9 out of 10 tailgate thefts happen when the owner is standing next to the truck with a weapon. So yeah. Ammo. Lol.

 

This was one of my first purchases and I never think twice about my tailgate. It was simply to install and looks good.

I then discovered the pop n lock and now it just locks when I lock my truck. Not sure why Toyota didn’t have the tailgate lock when you lock your doors.

 

A cordless electric driver would make getting this clamp off a 15 second job. Of course the thiefs have to pre plan this so there is some protection. I installed mine with the screw end facing down. This means they would need the appropriate sized wrench (crescent wrench won't fit) to get it off and it would take a little time.

 

Why is this a thing on third gens? Is there really a way to steal a tailgate if it is locked with the key? And if they can defeat the lock, pretty sure they could defeat a hose clamp. And is there really a black market for Tacoma tailgates?

 

I don't get it either, I did it on my 2nd gens as a feel good, but never had an issue, makes zero sense to me with the locking tailgate on the 3rd gens. I do know at least the 2nd gen ones were really easy to steal and are stolen frequently in AZ/CA area.

 

What size of hose clamp did you used?

 

My daughter borrowed my truck 5-6 years ago and backed into something with my tailgate down while moving some furniture. It's a small dent that I never bothered to get fixed. At 12 years and 200,000 miles it bothers me not a bit. But all but guarantee's no one will steal it.

 

Thanks for that idea - I have a drawer full of cable clamps

 

That actually makes it easier to steal. Lol

 

Why the extra $2 when you had the free one installed already?

 

Will your family be taking the tailgate to visitors day while you’re in prison? Fuckin Moron!

 

Yeah... This “mod” doesn’t work! My buddy did this came to my house and i snapped it with a pocket knife!