Tailgate Theft in So Cal

Just curious, what the hell do the scumbags do with the tailgates? Is there some big market for buying a Tacoma tailgate to hang on your wall or sumthin?

 

Just get a stainless steel clamp (don't want it rusting). Orient it so that the clamp faces downward. I used a small very thin wrench to tighten it. Facing it down will make it a challenge to easily and quickly loosen the clamp if someone is determined.

You're talking about 10 minutes worth of work and a couple of bucks. No excuse not to for anyone who owns a G2 or G3. My truck spends every night safely in a garage and I still did it.

 

Yes
On Craigslist they sell them often to the same people they stole from

Same with bed caps/shells

 

Good lord.

 

When I was in the PNW in fife in 1999 someone broke into my turbo charged Crx to steal the boost gauge

They took not a single thing else

Fife/Tacoma=similar places in so cal where same demographics same thefts happen

 

Ha. I grew up near Tacoma, you are correct. Shit gets ripped off just because it exists, something to do.

 

It's not just gates. Cats are stolen just as much if not more so. Ground clearance makes it all too easy in the Taco

 

+1
Cats and the copper lines from outside AC units were a big theft for a while

Freaking tweakers

Haven't heard of it much lately although I am sure it happens

 

http://www.texaninsurance.com/clien...things-most-likely-to-be-stolen-from-vehicles

 

It's over by fam mart. Hood AF over there.
Stay in north park with the hipsters, it's safer.

 

Driving to work today I saw a 3rd gen quicksand OR and a 2nd gen blue taco with stolen tailgates

I noticed the blue 2nd gen and said that guy must pull it off when parked,

Half a block later I see a quicksand 4x4 with no tailgate and a foot of wires dangling

Made the connection, thieves got away with 2 tailgates in less than half a block

Scumbags

 

Hose clamp tailgate mod was the first thing I did to my truck. I used a hose clamp with a hex head screw and turned it so it can only be taken off with a wrench.

 

I just did mine today after seeing the horror this morning

 

They sell them to people who's tailgates have been stolen most likely.

 

Which side are you suppose to put the hose clamp on a 2017? I figured it would be on the passenger side since it has a slot in the hinge which I assumed is where you pull out the tailgate?

 

Yes passenger side only

 

I am not sure how the cables work on the 3rd gen, but I highly recommend washers on the cable posts as well. In combination with the hose clamp I doubt many thieves would waste the time to figure out and solve those problems with unsecured tailgates elsewhere.

 

I looked at that today, depending on how long the bolts are its doable, going to put some r&d in this weekend
For now I have the tri fold toneau, hose clamp and its locked

 

This is why I installed the pop-n-lock on my 16, hated carrying the extra key and you only have to forget to lock it once lol

 

I made two extra keys and always lock the tailgate, also put on one of McGuard locks for the tailgate, works like a hose clamp, but with a specific shaped key.