Tailgate theft deterent bracket

On the bottom corner of the tailgate, directly below the hinge, the outer skin of the tailgate is folded over and crimped. There is seam sealer applied to keep out water and on some, like mine, it is applied pretty thick and doesn't leave enough room to get the bracket on. I took a sharp chisel and shaved the sealer down a little bit and the bracket slid on easily then.

 

Prep is the key to getting torx bit out. Remove tailgate and lay in bed, remove "gooey" stuff from around screw, carefully remove paint from around screw head, using proper torx bit and small breaker bar remove screw. Mine popped right out. Love my anti-theft device!!

 

Theres no video but it is a tight fit and once you find the sweet spot it will slip right on, feel free to contact me for any other questions

 

I found that sweet spot today, no chiseling of seam sealer needed. Then I started to strip the oem bolt so this project will have to wait until I read more on pulling that stubborn guy out

 

Just make sure you use a T40 for the factory screw

 

I did. I also cleaned all that sticky gunk off of the screw and used a razor blade around the oem screw so the paint wouldn’t be helping it hold on. It still started to strip.

I’m going to attack it another weekend.

 

So on the underside of the T40 head there's teeth that really grab sometimes, if you undo that side of the tailgate and slide it out a little, you'll have better leverage. Also if you have a punch that will fit in the T40, give it a good couple of wacks, that usually does it. Just make sure to put a towel down when unhinging that side to avoid scratching your tailgate

 

I have the locking tailgate and also a tonneau cover that goes over the top of the tailgate that also locks. Should I consider one of these locks? Haven't heard of any tailgate thefts in my area, but when traveling to a large city ..... ?

 

Sounds like you have it covered, but you never can be to secure.

 

To slow down a tailgate thief, I used one of these on my '17 when I had it. The key is non-standard and would take some creativity for the average thief to defeat. I used this on the right side of the tailgate hinge to hold the tailgate in place and I kept the key in my console. It's probably not as secure as some other solutions, but I had no issues. I gave the other one to a Taco friend of mine, and he liked the simplicity of the solution as well.

Now that my tailgate locks automatically with the doors on my '23, I've not worried about replacing it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VAXCWO?ie=UTF8

 

Nice, a regular hose clamp is only $2

 

a regular hose clamp needs a common screwdriver to open up. This needs something more obscure. I’m not suggesting it’s the most secure solution but 2/$10 is cheap insurance.

 

Yes it is

 

probably the same sh*thooks that steal catalytic converters. They are probably worth the same amount and easier to steal.

 

Takes literally 3seconds to take your $1000+ tailgate, or whatever your deductible is.

 

I dont get why people steal em, but they do. F 'em!

 

Because it's a 3second theft, and just about any body shop buys them

 

So this was a fun endeavor. Had to use heat and drill it out. All that just to realize I took out the wrong one. FML... A good rehearsal.

 

Now watch the other one pop right off. Do you need an extra T45 safety screw?