I was just curious if anybody knew how to secure a tailgate to avoid it from being stolen? (Well, hopefully avoid it)

I have been made aware of how many people want tailgates for these trucks that are in good shape and I dont want mine to get taken.

 

i dont think someone will take a tail gate, least not easily...for one they will need tools, two they will have to undo two cables plus remove the hinge area third get it off and transport the whole thing away...and a tail gate is a bit heavy to carry...

 

Ha, the tailgate on my truck was stolen twice already.... the one i have now has a big ol dent on one corner, doubt anyone will want that.

 

tie a big mean hungry dog to it!!

 

Believe it or not they are extremely easy to take off. Our series trucks have some eyelets with spring metal holding them to bed sides by cable. All you need is a knife or a screwdriver to move the piece of metal up. The passenger side slides off with a pull up and out and the driver side with a pull to the right. One person can carry it easily and throw it into a car or something.

Ill have to keep checking on what I can do.

Thanks for the replies.

 

weld in some chains in place of the cables

 

What I read on here is to use hose clamps, so they have to use tools to take it.

 

i know the newer trucks you can get the pop lock for the handle, not sure if you can get them for our trucks or not...

 

Yeah I heard that they make a security device of some sort for newer trucks, and thats kinda what made me think about my truck. I mean.. I have a Florida truck and where I am at a lot of guys dont even have tailgates at all so I kinda worry about it.

I like the chain idea octaneforce mentioned but id probably have to figure something out so I could remove it if necessary.

Ill have to look at the tailgate to see about what Raptor said. I know making it more difficult to take will only deter someone. I was thinking about one of those alarm triggers also. I have my air horn hooked to my alarm. That may be the best option short of a permanent attachment.

 

I've been lucky I guess never lost a tailgate to theft.

Install a locking handle, can't open it, can't lift it off.

Tailgate Lock Ford F-Series, Tailgate Handle Key Lock

How tough one is I couldn't say, doubt it stop someone really wants it though. However might be just enough to make em move on to a "chevy"!

 

Interesting danr1. I think that may be the answer. I could possibly find one in metal... But I do agree that if someone wants it bad enough they will get it. I just want to make it a little more difficult. I havent had one stolen but it is a possibility around here. Im just trying to do some preventive work.

 

make sure you have no leaks and turn off the compressors when ur not in the truck, if your not around and someone tries that horn will be going off for a while lol

 

Haha, I know. My idea behind hooking it to the alarm was that nobody pays any attention to car alarms anymore but when you have air horns going off people are bound to notice. Compressor only runs with truck on but the system is set with 125psi so it can go off for a bit and be enough to be noticeable, and its all tucked away so it cant be tampered with unknowingly.

 

Here you go, one lock that looks to fill the bill.

Bully Anti-Theft Tailgate Lock

Ray

 

Yea there ya go, now if I where to pick something to lock on my tail gate that be what I'd go with. Heck price ain't all bad either!

Might just buy me a couple anyway now thinking about it, with price of scrap what it is now, nothing made of metal is safe old or new these days!

Can see it now, next target for some of dem crack heads out there, running around taking off with tailgates to scrap em, new scheme come up with get em a easy fix...