Tailgate theft "deterent" idea
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by cyncwby
Ok befroe someone comes on saying....."that won't stop them" bla, bla..... I know it won't if they have the time and tools. It's just an FYI for you guys that want to do this or something like this, I said it's a "deterent" which means it will take the no good dope smokin SOB a while to get this stuff off.
I changed out the bolts in the t/gate and tie down hook to stainless 5/16 x 18 allen heads to make it a little harder for the crook. You could use torx head bolts and if you choose to do this you will need the correct metric bolts or use a 5/16 X 18 tap to rethread the bolt holes. The coated cable is 5/16 hardened stainless, I was going to use 3/8 but it was just too stiff to make the small loops I needed. Yes the cable can be cut with a GOOD hacksaw blade or a BIG bolt cutter but again that takes some time.
I already had the standard bolts and retapping worked just fine. I also put a heavy duty hose clamp around the pivot until I can find a locking device that's worthy. Speaking of which, is their any locking device worth a damn? Seems like every review I read says their just a plastic coated hose clamp or made cheaply. I will be using one of those round stainless padlocks and wrap some sticky foam around it to keep it from rattling.
Anywho..... thats my idea to slow them down, cost me about $4 for the cable, better than nothing at all or relying on a lock that may not work at all.
I changed out the bolts in the t/gate and tie down hook to stainless 5/16 x 18 allen heads to make it a little harder for the crook. You could use torx head bolts and if you choose to do this you will need the correct metric bolts or use a 5/16 X 18 tap to rethread the bolt holes. The coated cable is 5/16 hardened stainless, I was going to use 3/8 but it was just too stiff to make the small loops I needed. Yes the cable can be cut with a GOOD hacksaw blade or a BIG bolt cutter but again that takes some time.
I already had the standard bolts and retapping worked just fine. I also put a heavy duty hose clamp around the pivot until I can find a locking device that's worthy. Speaking of which, is their any locking device worth a damn? Seems like every review I read says their just a plastic coated hose clamp or made cheaply. I will be using one of those round stainless padlocks and wrap some sticky foam around it to keep it from rattling.
Anywho..... thats my idea to slow them down, cost me about $4 for the cable, better than nothing at all or relying on a lock that may not work at all.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 3
From: CT
I keep mine locked too. It won't stop a determined thief, but would probably discourage any opportunistic yahoo who decided to take the tailgate on a whim.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
Ok befroe someone comes on saying....."that won't stop them" bla, bla..... I know it won't if they have the time and tools. It's just an FYI for you guys that want to do this or something like this, I said it's a "deterent" which means it will take the no good dope smokin SOB a while to get this stuff off.
I changed out the bolts in the t/gate and tie down hook to stainless 5/16 x 18 allen heads to make it a little harder for the crook. You could use torx head bolts and if you choose to do this you will need the correct metric bolts or use a 5/16 X 18 tap to rethread the bolt holes. The coated cable is 5/16 hardened stainless, I was going to use 3/8 but it was just too stiff to make the small loops I needed. Yes the cable can be cut with a GOOD hacksaw blade or a BIG bolt cutter but again that takes some time.
I already had the standard bolts and retapping worked just fine. I also put a heavy duty hose clamp around the pivot until I can find a locking device that's worthy. Speaking of which, is their any locking device worth a damn? Seems like every review I read says their just a plastic coated hose clamp or made cheaply. I will be using one of those round stainless padlocks and wrap some sticky foam around it to keep it from rattling.
Anywho..... thats my idea to slow them down, cost me about $4 for the cable, better than nothing at all or relying on a lock that may not work at all.
I changed out the bolts in the t/gate and tie down hook to stainless 5/16 x 18 allen heads to make it a little harder for the crook. You could use torx head bolts and if you choose to do this you will need the correct metric bolts or use a 5/16 X 18 tap to rethread the bolt holes. The coated cable is 5/16 hardened stainless, I was going to use 3/8 but it was just too stiff to make the small loops I needed. Yes the cable can be cut with a GOOD hacksaw blade or a BIG bolt cutter but again that takes some time.
I already had the standard bolts and retapping worked just fine. I also put a heavy duty hose clamp around the pivot until I can find a locking device that's worthy. Speaking of which, is their any locking device worth a damn? Seems like every review I read says their just a plastic coated hose clamp or made cheaply. I will be using one of those round stainless padlocks and wrap some sticky foam around it to keep it from rattling.
Anywho..... thats my idea to slow them down, cost me about $4 for the cable, better than nothing at all or relying on a lock that may not work at all.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 344
Likes: 7
I just ordered a Master Lock tailgate lock that looks interesting. It was $20 from Amazon here. The Amazon videos look like crap, but youtube has a couple interesting videos on it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
I just ordered a Master Lock tailgate lock that looks interesting. It was $20 from Amazon here. The Amazon videos look like crap, but youtube has a couple interesting videos on it.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 4
From: Rogersville, TN
Good looking set up. I had mine stolen about 10 years ago, but with all these new tailgates that cost $4-5k to replace I think my plain xl tailgate is probably pretty low on the list of ones people want to steal lol.
New User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I have never gotten a tailgate stolen...ive never had a lock or detturent, i didnt know people stole tailgates. im going to do this though to have a better chance of them not taking my stuff gate. Good Idea!. Thanks
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 344
Likes: 7
If a thief wants something bad enough, they will get it. Pro thieves can pick most any lock in seconds. That said, certain measures do reduce the overall risk.
My tailgate is old, has absolutely nothing fancy in it, and has a very distinguishable dent in it, so the lock should be plenty for my peace of mind though I will give it a thorough once-over before I accept it as 'my tailgate solution'.
My tailgate is old, has absolutely nothing fancy in it, and has a very distinguishable dent in it, so the lock should be plenty for my peace of mind though I will give it a thorough once-over before I accept it as 'my tailgate solution'.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Kingston, TN
I just ordered a Master Lock tailgate lock that looks interesting. It was $20 from Amazon here. The Amazon videos look like crap, but youtube has a couple interesting videos on it.
I'm hitting easy street
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
Likes: 27
From: Central Oregon
I have the hose clamp on mine.
I also put on an easy down. These may not completely prevent theft, but I'm sure it will surprise them when they open it. I figure tailgate thieves don't bring tools to a job that only should take seconds.
I also put on an easy down. These may not completely prevent theft, but I'm sure it will surprise them when they open it. I figure tailgate thieves don't bring tools to a job that only should take seconds.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: California
After seeing this thread I installed a stainless T bolt clamp on mine. Requires a 10mm wrench and a lot of unthreading to remove. It's a nylok nut, too. It's a bit wider than a standard hose clamp. I was going to swap the hinges but my hinges were on so tight it destroyed my torx bit!
Like one of these, though, this link isn't necessarily the right size:
https://www.amazon.com/HPS-SSTC-32-3...lt+hose+clamps
Like one of these, though, this link isn't necessarily the right size:
https://www.amazon.com/HPS-SSTC-32-3...lt+hose+clamps
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