Tail gate theaf!!

Something like this?

 

Not just Tacos...lost my Tundra tailgate once....picked up a junkyard one ($200)with a nice dent in it...didnt matter, truck was 12years old with 180k on it, plenty of other dents.....I figured the dent made it less desirable....never lost the second one....
My new one is locked and clamped....
Thieves suck.....

 

Just like that lol!

 

Maybe we all should take hammers to our tailgates!! RISE RISE AGAINST THE THIEVES!

 

or just sticker them up.

 

Like the photoshopped giant rainbow unicorn sticker?
(I saved you by not attaching the actual post)

 

Thank you for not posting that.

 

The cops need tangible proof that the tailgate is yours. It simply being the same color, make model isn't enough. If the seller had a picture of the VIN number, and they match your truck, then by all means its case closed. Otherwise, you have to have unique markings such as a scratch, dent, emblems, Owner Applied Numbers etched into the metal, and have pictures of it on your truck to prove that the tail gate belongs to you.

This is my 0.02 of how the market is working.

The tailgate market comes from Number 2. There are plenty of auto shops that may purchase from these thieves and get the money from insurance and pocket the profits. Like others have said, it takes a thief less than 1 minute to remove a tailgate. You can front the stolen part for 300-500. The dealer sells the part for about $1500. Mechanic purchases it for 500, claims insurance for 1500, pockets the 1000.

The thieves do this for a living. If they are able to take 2-3 tailgates a night, per week, that could be close to $1000 a week.

This is a good investment. Its pricey, but again, $80 investment, that acts as a visual and mechanical deterrent vs going through the headache of filing insurance claims, getting a replacement, and feeling violated.

Like everyone else, I would love to catch one of these thieves in the act.

 

Remove the plastic and you'll find all sort of ways to route a fat bike cable lock from inside the tailgate to the frame. Easy route alongside the camera cable.

 

There’s only one theif everyone else just trying to get they’re shit back.

 

Yeah, I did the cable MOD AND the hose clamp MOD.... That will slow then down IF they find MY T/G unlocked..!!




On my 2006 Taco (with no locking T/G...I placed a big gob of JB Weld on the head of the hose clamp so they could not get a wrench onto it...!!

I did this after my local dealer lost 5 T/G's in one night..... They lock them all now..!!

Also, My brother, in Mexico got his spare tire stolen from his new Tundra, so I told him to lock up the new one and I sent him this for his T/G, in case he leaves it unlocked....

$33 McGard 76029 Premium Pick-up Truck Tailgate Lock , Black

https://www.amazon.ca/McGard-76029-Tailgate-Lock/dp/B0043SCBD4

It's just a glorified Hose clamp, but WILL slow them down till they come back with the right tools..!

 

Cops run buy/sell stings all the time. Ever wonder how many cops are on TW, offering amazing and unlikely deals?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...gen-tacoma-today.6499/page-4836#post-13066164

 

appreciate that.

 

Not defending this guy at all but those tailgates are all white. He may be an up fitter that removes them as part of whatever install they do. Service trucks are usually white. If he had a bunch of different colors id be more suspicious

 

Lockin it with the key, hose clamp on the hinge or i have seen a kit that goes in the gate itself and locks when you lock the doors.but if they want it bad enough its gone. My father in law had his stolen in a church parkin lot right beside a major road way in daylight. Sad world!!!

 

Did you use the original bolt for your cable mod? If so, guess it’s long enough. Nice!

 

I haven’t tried it yet, but one could take off the hinge mount on the tailgate (by the two torx bolts and one hex head bolt) , slip a 1” long metal ring x 1.5” ID (cut copper pipe union?) over the round hinge part where the slot is and reassemble the hinge while the pin is in place. The pipe or ring would act as a locking collar around the pin. It would sort of look like the closed hinge on the left side of the tailgate. I’ll try and will post if it works.

 

This is what I used on my 2nd gen, they prob have something for 3rd gen now
https://sabellco.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=33_60&product_id=60
Went on holiday in California and came home with my tailgate.

 

Original bolt...yes..!
I'm not sure now, but I think I just torqued the OEM bolt down with this "extra" washer on it, and it is stuck in the position I torqued it down at...!!

Gettin' older every day and the memory is going for a crap..! I'll check it out tomorrow and if any change, I'll update....IF I remember... hehe