I have heard that tailgates can easily be stolen-is it possible with the 85s tailgate? If so what type of lock could I get?

 

I'm not sure that I've ever heard of anyone that has had a tailgate stolen. I wouldn't worry about it myself, but you may wanna concentrate on protecting your stereo, wheels or cat converter/s. One thing that may be of interest is having full coverage on your truck. It's not much more than liability only,...and I'm sure with a police report, it would cover a stolen tail gate, broken glass,..etc. Just a thought.

 

It's a good question, and makes you wonder how many of those guys with nets had their tailgates stolen. If it can be lifted off, it can be stolen. I found this on the LMC website - it fits, I believe, around the right hinge pin, so the tailgate can't be lifted out without unbolting it. Even with my beat up tailgate, I'm seriously considering getting one, as replacements are hard to find and dang expensive...

LMC Truck Parts - Page 92

 

Yep, it's a very good question, but she has a FlareSide,...not Style or Fleet which requires no tools to remove the gate. A stepside tailgate requires removing two bolts from at least one hinge to lift the gate from the truck.

I own a step myself and had the same concern. And that guard/lock thing won't work on her truck.

I have seen bolts that require an adaptor to remove such as anti-theft lug nuts.

Click here for an example

Maybe this could be an option?

 

Thanks for all the great replies!! I will have to save the links and take a look at them. I was also thinking of just getting some padlocks and putting them on there somehow? I know some of those can be cut off, but it would help deter and make it a little harder for them to get it off fast?

 

Not a bad idea,...you could bolt the hasp inside the tailgate and to the side of the bed. This could also protect anything large you may haul inside the bed that couldn't easily be lifted out of the truck such as a riding mower, bike, atv...etc.

 

I will say that I had never considered my tailgate to be at risk of theft, but now considering how many of them I have seen around in halfway decent shape (zero) I am changing my opinion on this.

I had the Horkey Inside Tailgate Latch on my wish list just to stiffen the box up and hold it together in case the hooks bounced out, but I may move that more to the front of the line now.

They are expensive, but a padlock hasp is to ugly looking for me to do that to my truck. Tailgate Latches, Supports, Gas Caps, Gas Tank Fill Collars and Permanent Gas Cap

 

I'm with ya on the padlocks looking ugly-I was just going to do it temporarily until I get something better. Not gonna have them on there after I get it painted though!

I like the tailgate latch idea!

 

I suppose someone might suggest that you cover it with Obama stickers, but such a suggestion could lead to all kinds of political back and forth, and this isn't the place for that.

 

Ha!

Obama sticker suggestions will not be considered! Period!

 

Try changing a couple of the bolts to an allen head. This would make it more difficult for the lazy thieves.

 

That's exactly what I did with my '85 Flare! I found some metric allen head bolts just to make it more fun. Somebody's really gotta really want it to pull mine off Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Carpenter has latch kits for these trucks? Haven't heard much about them though, could be an interesting route.