Lady Fitzgerald wrote: Tailgate thefts have been going on for a long time.
Yep, One of my crew's Ford gates was stolen back in the '90s. We figured that someone with a work truck damaged theirs and just wanted a fast cheap replacement. Several other of our SD County work trucks had theirs go missing also. I was really happy to see that my '06 F-250 came with a lock.
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My step-son had his stolen off his '08 F350. It just so happen that it was parked in an area that had a security camera. 9 seconds and it was off and gone.
Thank you sir for your concern, mine was not stolen, but I am not exempt from being next. I keep mine locked even between loads. I am constantly checking and reminding friends and relatives to keep theirs locked.
I think it depends on the trim level or it may be an option, but I have seen some newer model Ford F150s with no factory key lock on the handle.
I think the replacment price can be in the $2k range with camera, tailgate step, tailgate handle, emblems, paint.
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All newer F-150s have tailgate locks. Older ones, the higher end trim had it, while the XL line usually didn't.
Here in central Texas, tailgate theft is VERY common. In fact I was in line at the bank recently, and the guy ahead was getting a loan to replace his tailgate that got ripped off.
There are three tailgate locks which are popular: The Bully modified padlock and the McGard type which uses a unique nut pattern.
It isn't a lock per se, but it is an item that bolts on -- the GateKeeper by the JimmiJammer people.
If you go with the Bully, get some rubber or something to put between the lock and the hinge, or else it will abrade the paint. However, I found it almost impossible to get that lock on a F-150 tailgate, especially the heavier new ones that have a camera.
Instead, I went with the McGard type. I would give the nod to the Bully for being more secure, if it were workable, but the McGard is decent enough, and would require a Dremel tool to get off successfully, even though it is a glorified hose clamp. These are very easy to get on, and come keyed differently, so one person's key-nut won't open another lock.
I consider a secondary tailgate lock a must have. Don't count on the handle lock providing any protection. Every tweaker out there knows that a big screwdriver and a hammer will shear the tumblers, then it is just a matter of yanking the tailgate and getting it to the fence without getting caught.
I leave my tailgate unlocked, and there have been plenty of times I've returned to find the tailgate down, so the secondary lock has done its job well in keeping it with my truck.
At the minimum, put a hose clamp on the hinge, then spot weld it in place. It will save you thousands easily. The cost of a replacement tailgate isn't just the hardware, it is a complete strip and repainting of the vehicle so everything matches, which will be thousands.
BobsYourUncle wrote: Camping last weekend, one of the family had an '08 Ford Crewcab, same color as mine.
While we were comparing trucks, I noticed his came with a keylock on the tailgate. Great idea, I think Ford offers this from the factory, but I'm pretty sure that GM doesn't. Not sure about Dodge.
Seems like a no-brainer for a good option to offer on pickups.
I have often wished that mine had one. However, if someone drops my tailgate, I have a hidden switch that triggers my alarm as soon as the tailgate is opened. Makes a lot of noise!
Funny story, not that this thread deserves one, but we had our truck for about 3 years and one day I went out to drop the tailgate to load some yard waste in it. The tailgate would not open. After a couple hours of trying I got inside the truck bed with my tools and took the covers off the inside of the tailgate. After jiggling with things inside for a while I found that pushing up a lever inside the tailgate made it work properly.
Then the light bulb lit up. I tried my key in the lock and sure enough, that is also what moved that lever!
The vibration of driving or hitting a bump must have made the internals of the lock jump to the locked position!
Five hours of trying and work later I found out that all I had to do was unlock the tailgate!
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My dad had his stolen of his 08 GMC, went on kijiji (canadian version of craigslist) stating that he was looking at buying a used tailgate, someone replied to the email and said he could get one in the colour he wanted and it was $600.00, dad asked for his phone number, but the guy didn't wanna give it out, but he took my dads number instead, obviously this guy is a tailgate thief , he will get u one and will call you when he's got one.
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