Tailgate theft....How to prevent it....

There has been alot of talk on here about the theft of tailgates. The Tacoma Tailgate comes off VERY quickly and easily:



AS you can see, it took all of 10 seconds to remove my tailgate.

Now, In the Cheap/easy mods section, there is a ton of info on how to prevent this. If wanting to use a hose clamp, this is what you will need:

1. SAE #20 clamp. This clamp is for diameters of 3/4" to 1 3/4". 18mm to 44mm if your Canadian or from some other country that isnt on the same page as us Americans. You can use a screw driver, or a small socket to install these. OR, you can pick up "E-Z Hose clamps from your favorite Walmart. They have a "Key" on the nut of the hose clamp that can be removed, and it uses a 5 point head so a screw driver or socket will not work on these.

$9 Ideal Turn-Key Clamps 5Y020V 3/4"-1 3/4" Carded Turn-Key Clamps, (Pack of 2) - 1211.1204

Amazon also sells these clamps online.

Demo of how easy it is to take off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGt1nyTLG9Y

How to secure it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR-AJjZoGo8

Close up pic:


You may have to use a pair of pliers to remove the Key from the clamp. If it doesnt come right off, get some pliers and pullit off with those. Afterward, the key will come right off when used to remove and reinstall the clamp in the future.

I didnt remove anything to show how EASY AS PIE this is to do. Now, Go out and do this. $2.54 is cheap as opposed to replaceing a tailgate.







Legal disclaimer:
Chris4x4 cannot and does not guarantee or warrant that Chris4x4 write ups from this site are free of viruses, worms, Trojan horses or other code that has contaminating or destructive properties. Chris4x4 does not make any express or implied warranties, representations or endorsements whatsoever (including without limitation warranties of title, noninfringement or fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to the write ups from this site. In no event will Chris4x4 be liable to you or to anyone else for any decision made or action taken by you or anyone else in reliance on results obtained from use of Write ups from this site. These write ups may be downloaded and/or reprinted for personal use only. Permission to reprint or electronically reproduce any document or graphic in whole or in part for any reason except for personal use is expressly prohibited, unless prior written consent is obtained from Chris4x4. Results may vary. Price can change without notice. Do not attempt to work on vehicle under the influence of alcohol, or perscription medication. Discuss your general health status with your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough to engage in vehicle maintinance. If you experience chest pain, nausea, or any other discomforts during mods, seek immediate medical help. As with any Modification, in the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help to avoid long-term injury. In rare instances, men performing mods on their trucks reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these mods or to other factors. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop doing mods, and call a doctor right away. The most common side effects vehicle maintinance and mods are headache, facial flushing, upset stomach, less money, and angry spouse. Less commonly, bluish vision, blurred vision, anal seepage, or sensitivity to light may briefly occur.

 

Now you tell me....

 

DUDE!! I love you!!!!

I loved the birds and the kid in the backround!!

Nice work!! And TY!!!

 

Christ, Ed, its been in the Cheap/easy mods for how long???

 

I know.... I know.....

2.45 against 1k

 

You can be our spokes person for this mod.

 

Actually I get it now, you are trying to rub it on my face....

Its working....

 

yeah, im gonna send him a message, if he has a black one he hasnt seen on his garage....

 

No, Buddy, Im not. I DO, however, want to let everyone know that it can happen very fast. If you have an alarm, which I do, and it was "Armed" at the time of my vid, you can see that it wont set the alarm off. I have heard too many tailgates getting yanked off of trucks, and I have NEVER lost one with this mod. Im pretty sure someone has tried, as one time I came out to my truck and the gate was down. SO, its a very small investment to protect your tailgate.

 

I know bro....

Yes gents, you better secure your tailgates..... its not cheap to replace....

if yours gets stolen, DONT BUY IT on a non trusted place..... they might be the ones that stole it from you.....dont create the market for them....

 

Excellent demonstration, Chris!

I'm sure this will bring some more awareness to the severity of this problem, and just how easy it is to get ripped off.

 

Thats what Im hoping for. And to show its just as easy to prevent it from happening.

 

GREAT VID's. THANKS!!

 

Nice write up Chris. But will the hose clamps scrape/or rub off the paint when you open and close you tailgate?

 

No. Before I made the vid, I removed and reinstalled mine a few times to see if any paint damage has been done. The only damage I have ever had from this mod is, on my Nissan, someone tried to pry off the clamp, and it scratched the paint around the tailgate attachment. Nothing visable when the gate is closed.

 

Well.....I umm..Love you too, neon.

 

Rep to you sir

 

Sounds like someone lives near Sky Harbor. Can you see the "Camel" from where you live?

Thanks for passing this along. This was the first thing I did as soon as the truck hit my driveway. Also installed the tailgate lock, total time for both mods....20 minutes. If you have a cordless screw gun with a Torx bit adapter, those Torx spin right out, you slide the lock through the existing handle, put on the two nuts and then button it up.

Sorry to hear about your 'gate Ed.

 

Yes. I live RIGHT under the flight path of the south runway. Sometimes I feel like I have to wave off the pilots that want to land on my roof. I dont mind it actually. I like planes, and I cant hear them in my house.

I used to have a GREAT view until about 2 years ago when some 3 story condos were built in front of my house. SO, no, I cant see Camelback.

 

thanks for the write up and vids, I may do this even though I have the undercover tonneau