Has anyone ever figured out a way to make the tailgate difficult for a thief to remove instead of keeping it in the garage ? Just something I've been thinking about for a while and have'nt come up with a solution yet. I don't really want to buy one of those locking handles either

 

There's something about putting a hose clamp around the hinge.

I haven't delved into it to see how or why it works.

It just makes it not quite as easy to get off, as most thieves aren't going to show up with a toolbox full of tools.


phox

 

you could just weld it shut, then no worries!

 

There is this option http://www.pickupspecialties.com/poplock.htm

I've seen them cheaper, shop around

 

The tailgate has the female side of the system, round openings that sit on "pegs" that are on the bed. This female part on one side is partially open so you can lower the tailgate partway down, pull it towards the rear of the truck to slide it off the peg on that side, and then pull it inwards off the peg on the other side. Hard to describe, easy to see once you look at it. Anyway, the hose clamp goes around the female part on the tailgate that's partially open, the one that slides off first, so that you'd need a screwdriver to take it off.

 

anybody here got one of those pop locks on their trucks? I've got the hose clamp on mine but that doesn't make me feel all warm & fuzzy. that lock for 45 bucks might get me a little closer if it is actually secure. any thoughts? thanks

 

Sounds like a good Idea. Oh , on the warm fuzzy feeling, I have some Tequilla with the worm on the bottom. He is smiling!!!

 

yeah sure, rub it in, my worm is already being processed

 

A tailgate lock is worth it in my opinion. I had to replace the gate on my 2nd gen. They cost around 800 dollars UNPAINTED w/ NO hardware from dodge. You might get lucky and find one on ebay........I didnt

 

I put a hose clamp around the hinge. I was lucky enough to find a hose clamp with an Allen screw. You have to have an Allen key to remove it. Since most tailgate thefts are crimes of oppertunity the bad guys don't have tools with them.

 

i like the idea of the allen head clamp, don't happen to remember where you found it do you? i surfed around and found those pop and locks for about 30 bucks including the shipping. i think i'll just go ahead and get one.

 

Tailgate theft is not much of a problem here, I guess. A buddy found a 2nd gen tailgate laying on a back road. It was winter and snowy it was all he could do to miss it as it was white. It had a couple of small scratches and divets and a liner on the inside. Put it in the found section of the paper and no bites. I put that for sale in our local buy and sell it took two months to sell and I only got $200 for it.

 

it probably wouldn't be much of a problem anywhere if they would let you blow peoples heads off for stealing your hard earned goodies

 

I have a poplock on mine; I keep the thing locked - and when I was ****-ended by a semi, the lock coundn't be unlocked with the key (the face kinda got scrunched) - the shop that fixed my truck had a heck of a time removing the lock/tailgate.....tells me that it's a pretty sturdy piece of equipment; They're aboout $17-$20 around here, try a Napa or Schucks near you.....

 

thanks for the input. if i can find one locally for that money it will be on by tonight. i don't want my tailgate under somebody else's tree with someone else's name on it on Christmas morning.