Stolen tail light thread

[Dunneldeen]

I’m tempted to just put a couple tack welds. Would be a pain to take off, but anyone with a welder is also gonna have a grinder

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[BigD1234]

Link please?

I went to a bolt specialty place
King bolt
626-339-8400

 

[Skit hjälm]

guess you could add some style an security with a "shaved handle" tailgate. Remove the handle all together an have it open by remote. Downside is it would cost more than a few sets of tailgates.

My friend did a similar thing.
But just disabled the tailgate handle.
the handle just flops loose as if it's broken. The remote does the unlocking.
I suggested one step further.
Connect a switch to the tailgate handle what actuates a noisemaker for a short duration.

 

[FerdRanger]

My friend did a similar thing.
But just disabled the tailgate handle.
the handle just flops loose as if it's broken. The remote does the unlocking.
I suggested one step further.
Connect a switch to the tailgate handle what actuates a noisemaker for a short duration.

brilliant

 

[JustWideman]

So last night/this morning, i became a victim of stolen tail lights. It appears they used a screwdriver to punch thru the aluminum skin under the tailgate latch to open the tailgate. Already have insurance involved and the truck is at the dealer for a quote.

Who else has joined the party ?

They got me last night too. 2021 model, the front lights are not LED on my XLT model that year or they'd probably want those too.

I looked them up and new ones are $300-500, but there are many on ebay for only $150 each. I would have let them have them and I'd just buy old ones off ebay, but F@#$%ing up my tailgate? that makes me mad!

Now insurance is involved, deductible, etc, and all just for crackhead money!!!!

I bet I could find them this weekend at a flea market car parts sale. Is someone that hard up for Christmas presies that they'll rob some truck ass lights?

 

[JustWideman]

This is a pretty good idea. A bonus if you can incorporate a tailgate seal into it. I would change the fasteners to the stainless dome head torx with the center security pin. Not many are carrying around that nut size.

An option but not a very legit one, they'll still pop the rear handle to get to those bolts, sadly.

 

[Dean]

My friend did a similar thing.
But just disabled the tailgate handle.
the handle just flops loose as if it's broken. The remote does the unlocking.
I suggested one step further.
Connect a switch to the tailgate handle what actuates a noisemaker for a short duration.

Fine - but does that effectively stop the "pry method" that thieves are using to pop open the gate?

 

[Langwilliams]

Are there any locking hard tonneau covers that have the lip to overlap the tailgate? Might be the most practical option.

 

[Big Blue]

My friend did a similar thing.
But just disabled the tailgate handle.
the handle just flops loose as if it's broken. The remote does the unlocking.
I suggested one step further.
Connect a switch to the tailgate handle what actuates a noisemaker for a short duration.

Interesting! How does he open the tailgate? The remote just locks and unlocks it, you still need the handle to open it.

 

[Mellow]

Are there any locking hard tonneau covers that have the lip to overlap the tailgate? Might be the most practical option.

Only one I'm aware of.. the Undercover. But defeating that lock is probably easier than the tailgate.

 

[Racket]

Connect a switch to the tailgate handle what actuates a noisemaker for a short duration.

This makes the most sense to me. A persistent and bold thief might not be dissuaded but that and security screws might slow them down. Seems like the enterprising type would figure out how to integrate what is certainly a switch with the factory alarm? FORSCAN?

Everyone has the McGuard tailgate retainer already, right? I noticed dealers are installing them with 100% markup.

 

[Bsthroop]

I wired in series with the hood sensor that notifies that the hood is not latched and also sets off the Ford alarm system, and notifies through the app. Installed a weatherproof micro switch on the tailgate. Also did the security screws.

 

[Blue Streak]

Would be nice if someone could figure out a way to sound a very loud alarm before the tailgate damage is done. ?

 

[Mellow]

I wired in series with the hood sensor that notifies that the hood is not latched and also sets off the Ford alarm system, and notifies through the app. Installed a weatherproof micro switch on the tailgate. Also did the security screws.

Nicely done...

 

[Langwilliams]

Only one I'm aware of.. the Undercover. But defeating that lock is probably easier than the tailgate.

True but it being a lock they are not familiar with might send them on their way to an easier more familiar target.

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