So, after getting my truck broken into with ~5000 miles on the clock and Ford's lack luster response when I reached out asking for a way to secure the truck. I decided it was time to start researching options. From my research there seem to be two general weaknesses on these trucks and found that several law enforcement agencies actually issues warning about how easy these trucks are to get into.

The tailgate and the door handles are the weak links. For the tailgates it seems we give up security for the ease of tailgate removal. I found a couple of "solutions" noting making the tailgate safe from theft but more of a deterrent than a grab and go. I started bu adding a hose clamp to the passenger's side hinge, the one that lifts up for removal. While this does keep the tailgate from being removed it isn't much security as the thief will likely have a screwdriver since he just popped the locks with the same tool so I went a step further and added the Jimmy Jammers Gate Keeper. I won't add a link but a quick search should find it. This again doesn't prevent the theft but the added time it will take will hopefully have the thief scared off or caught before they get through both. When adding the gate keeper I added locktite on reinstall, just BLUE but again the idea is to eat up time.

For the door handle where they got in last time in under five seconds from walking up to the door to sitting inside, I am replacing the keyed lock cylinder with a rear door handle. I ordered a rear driver's side door handle and using that. This doesn't prevent the break in but makes it slighty more difficult as there is no rod going to the lock. They can still break the handle and pop the lock by hand or using a tool but slightly more difficult. The major downside here is if your battery becomes completely drained then there is no getting into the truck. In an effort to plan for this I added to charging leads from the battery through the grill that should allow access to the truck. Back to the door... Jimmy Jammers also makes a plate that you can add that is supposed to help with the lock popping using a screwdriver but I chose to go with rear handles.

All in all it took a couple of hours to complete as I was extremely careful with the door trim but hopefully it pays off and prevents more costly repairs in the future.

 

Thanks for the info, never thought about using rear handles.

 

I put a radiator clamp on my tailgate post. It is on darn tight and I then knocked the the "head" around under the hinge with a hammer. There is no way to remove it short of a cold chisel. It could be fairly easily done by a thief, but will be noisey and take a few minutes and the thief would have to have the proper equipment. It is not foolproof but should be a deterrent. I do not lock the tailgate so there is no need for anyone to booger up my latch.

I live in a fairly high crime area, but I very rarely, if ever, leave my truck in a vulnerable area. I guess I have been lucky too. I occasionally leave it at various trailheads in NC mountains and never had a problem nor have I heard of anyone ever having a theft. There seem to be precious few such areas left in the US.

As far as the doors go if a thief wants in they will get in! I do lock them though and I leave nothing of much value in the truck. Tool box also stays locked.

 

Just rear handles is not enough, plastic can still be popped through the same way.

Get the JimmiJammers.

 

remember, locks only keep honest people honest, if someone want in bad enough they will find a way to get into the truck. Making a layered defensive system is a good way to slow down the would be thief, also cyclops TAM is a good idea to