Tailgate theft prevented but bed still opened

So where are these tailgates all going?
My local scrap yard always makes a photocopy of my license when i drop off scrap metal. Just wondering

 

ebay. search for tacoma tailgate. and maybe craigslist and clones.

 

Private party sales to people who had their tailgate stolen would be my guess as well

 

Body shops will buy them without asking any questions

 

I would vote in favor of that!

 

btw: "used and newly painted" is code for stolen.

 

Seems to me there are easier ways to legally make a dollar.
This theft business doesn't sound too healthy...

I had a chance decades ago to hook up with the Mafia's, but after reviewing the retirement plan and their dental plan I declined.
Thank gawd it wasn't an offer I couldn't refuse.

Fun fact #1: Al Pacino initially didn't want the role of Michael Corleone...
Fun fact #2: His grandparents were born in Corleone Italy....

 

It seems most Italian immigrants that came to the states, came from Sicily whereas many of those from northern and central Italy went to Brazil.

 

Dam, that bed looks clean. I went the cheap route and just hose clamped it and gooped on a bunch of JB weld all over the screw.

 

Yep - and apparently I'm in that Southern group....
Everybody is from somewhere -

 

yeah that was my something that crossed my mind. I was considering taking the tailgate apart to see how I can block it, but maybe when I’m reaaally paranoid I’ll do that.

I guess for now I’ll just be cautious what I put back there, and for how long.

to be honest the only other thing I could think of was lining the bottom of the handle with thumbtacks, whereas the thief wouldn’t see it and would experience karma first hand… but knowing myself, I would forget I did that and poke myself as well lol

 

https://offerup.com/item/detail/c6e1a371-a0fc-33a0-b07c-136bc3139d80?q=tacomal+tailgate

 

Another vote for the Sabellco lock and oem power tailgate lock. I have those along with a Bakflip X4s.

If someone wants something bad enough they'll get it. That's what insurance is for.

 

There's a bunch on craigslist in Socal. It's the same thieves stealing them and peddling them.

 

i have the Sabellco and i leave my tailgate unlocked.

 

I kinda thought tailgates and cats were a thing of the past - I guess not.
Wonder if smart-tags are the way to go - embed one so you can track it to the bstards who took it.

 

@TN1000

That install was done back in 2022.

I've since installed Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners and the SaBellCo key lock needs to be lubed for removal. lol

I have no need to remove the tailgate so for now it stays put.

 

So aside from the hose clamp i crimped the one strap end and reversed them on assembly.

 

Those pistol & rifle cable locks, looped through bed stiffeners or bed anchor points work pretty well. Available in different lengths and different colors (to help with keys).
I use them for my maxtraxx, axe, shovel, and such.



(btw, it is peace of mind. don't give away more brain!)

 

Damn they have nerve to list them for sale like that obviously they’re stolen. You would think with lots of tailgates being reported stolen the police would be following leads on ads like these.