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$60 (with shipping) is pretty pricy for a pair of brackets. Now, I’m sure all the security screws and bit add to the cost, but If the device indeed prevents a thief from opening the tailgate, why are tail light security screws even necessary?
If you like to make stuff, a couple of 16 ga. steel angles fashioned to slip under the latch pin, thus covering Ford’s mistake, would do the trick about as well. . . using $5 worth of joist hardware from your local Home Depot.
I’ve already replaced the Torx screws that attach the tailgate mechanism cover plate on my truck with rivets, so they’re not likely to break in that way. Yeah, if they really want the tailgate, they’re going to get it, but this will slow them down, as will a simple bracket covering the latch pins.
$60 (with shipping) is pretty pricy for a pair of brackets. Now, I’m sure all the security screws and bit add to the cost, but If the device indeed prevents a thief from opening the tailgate, why are tail light security screws even necessary?
If you like to make stuff, a couple of 16 ga. steel angles fashioned to slip under the latch pin, thus covering Ford’s mistake, would do the trick about as well. . . using $5 worth of joist hardware from your local Home Depot.
I’ve already replaced the Torx screws that attach the tailgate mechanism cover plate on my truck with rivets, so they’re not likely to break in that way. Yeah, if they really want the tailgate, they’re going to get it, but this will slow them down, as will a simple bracket covering the latch pins.
Yes, you can make your own plates if you have the time and inclination to do so. I hand made several sets myself for friends and family before hiring a metal fabrication business to professionally produce these for me. The professionally made plates are much higher quality and I didn't have to spend a couple hours in the garage to fabricate and coat them. YMMV.
Tamper proof screws are included with the plates to provide what is commonly referred to as a "layered defense". Every security measure (in the world) can be overcome or circumvented if the thief has the right tools, time, and the determination to steal. Adding additional layers slows them down and complicates the task.
Riveting the tail gate cover plate really doesn't do much. Thieves are not spending time to remove the cover plate. The vulnerability that needs to be addressed is blocking the 1./2 inch hole in the cover plate so that thieves cannot jimmy the lever behind the cover plate. If you have riveted the cover plate and not blocked the 1/2 inch hole, they can still open your tailgate in seconds.
Yes, you can make your own plates if you have the time and inclination to do so. I hand made several sets myself for friends and family before hiring a metal fabrication business to professionally produce these for me. The professionally made plates are much higher quality and I didn't have to spend a couple hours in the garage to fabricate and coat them. YMMV.
Tamper proof screws are included with the plates to provide what is commonly referred to as a "layered defense". Every security measure (in the world) can be overcome or circumvented if the thief has the right tools, time, and the determination to steal. Adding additional layers slows them down and complicates the task.
Riveting the tail gate cover plate really doesn't do much. Thieves are not spending time to remove the cover plate. The vulnerability that needs to be addressed is blocking the 1./2 inch hole in the cover plate so that thieves cannot jimmy the lever behind the cover plate. If you have riveted the cover plate and not blocked the 1/2 inch hole, they can still open your tailgate in seconds.
Tim
A layered defense is good I suppose, but it’s hard to imagine a thief taking the time to get past these brackets. I’d think he’d just move on to an easier target. Re the riveted tailgate. . . I did block the access hole. I can’t believe Ford has allowed this design flaw to continue. Maybe they’re making too much money on replacement tail light modules! Sadly, at $4,000+ a pop, it’s making all our insurance premiums go up.
Yes, you can make your own plates if you have the time and inclination to do so. I hand made several sets myself for friends and family before hiring a metal fabrication business to professionally produce these for me. The professionally made plates are much higher quality and I didn't have to spend a couple hours in the garage to fabricate and coat them. YMMV.
Tamper proof screws are included with the plates to provide what is commonly referred to as a "layered defense". Every security measure (in the world) can be overcome or circumvented if the thief has the right tools, time, and the determination to steal. Adding additional layers slows them down and complicates the task.
Riveting the tail gate cover plate really doesn't do much. Thieves are not spending time to remove the cover plate. The vulnerability that needs to be addressed is blocking the 1./2 inch hole in the cover plate so that thieves cannot jimmy the lever behind the cover plate. If you have riveted the cover plate and not blocked the 1/2 inch hole, they can still open your tailgate in seconds.
Installed the Latchlid on my 22 F-250 today. Pretty simple but i found the bottom screws for the light assembly would not tighten all the way. Maybe I was afraid I would break things but I just left the stock ones in the lower positions. Between my Retrax cover and the Latchlid kit I think I'm good. Thanks!
I bought the this product and instlled it about 6 month ago. I don't use my truck very much and only have 5500 miles in the past year. The other other day I put donw the tailgate and saw the LatchLid with rust spots. Anyone else with this problem?
Yeah mine don’t look near that bad, however they have only been installed about 2 months now. There are a few tiny places that looks like the paint was scratched off and there is a tiny bit of rust, but it’s nothing I’m concerned about. However, when it warms back up I need to remove them and then cut the tab off the bottom since it contacts the connector for the cable. I wish it was flat at the bottom like the picture above. After I do that I’ll repaint them.
And while I am not knocking these, I’ll add too that I am not sure how much these would stop anyone from accessing the latch that they are covering. When I received my brackets they were bent and I had to bend them back straight (likely where the small scratches came from). But they bent pretty easy since the metal isn’t super thick. I feel pretty confident I could bend these out of the way with my fingers to get to that access hole if I can get my fingers under it. But a flat head screwdriver or something similar would work easier and faster. I’m still glad I have them though as it’s more of a deterrent than something that would stop someone intent on breaking in.
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