Tailgate Theft

[Dropper]

So my neighbors tailgate stolen off his F350 the other night. this is the 4th one on our street in last 2 years [one guy hit twice]. All of these are newer super duties with the camera in the bed like the ranger. For some reason they arent interested in my 1999.5 F350 tailgate lol.

With that said I havent looked to much into the locks on the ranger tailgate. Are we at risk? easy to punch the lock out? Maybe im over paranoid.

Sponsored

 

[FULLSCALE]

Not sure what trim you have but some lock with the key fob when you lock the doors. If yours has a lock and you use it they’d likely just move along to the next Unlocked tailgate to make a quick getaway.

 

[Msfitoy]

Back up your Ranger against a wall...I'd move if this happened once...let alone 3 times...

If you can't, I'd be staying up for a hunting event...

 

[Dropper]

I live in a very nice neighborhood and well the aholes troll these areas hitting these high end trucks. My last house I had a long driveway with a gate and boy do i miss that.

My XLT does lock with keyfob. My neighbor swears he locked his but who knows. One neighbor now parks his against his garage door with like 6"s to spare.

I did finally get my ford pass points so tailgate damper is on the way and hell yeah never thought about how much that will slow em down.

 

[Andy]

Could put a rubber snake on the end of the truck.. hah.

 

[Texasota]

I live in a very nice neighborhood and well the aholes troll these areas hitting these high end trucks. My last house I had a long driveway with a gate and boy do i miss that.

My XLT does lock with keyfob. My neighbor swears he locked his but who knows. One neighbor now parks his against his garage door with like 6"s to spare.

I did finally get my ford pass points so tailgate damper is on the way and hell yeah never thought about how much that will slow em down.

If they have a bolt cutter it will take two seconds to cut the shaft of the damper strut.

 

[Dropper]

If they have a bolt cutter it will take two seconds to cut the shaft of the damper strut.

totally get that but anything to make it more difficult.

 

[Sandman Ranger]

On my 97 F150 I added a hose clamp on the passenger side of the tailgate at the hinge point. Kept one from opening 45 deg and lifting it out easily. Worth a try to check Ranger for option.

 

[dmeyer302]

Park in the garage? Please tell me you’re not one of those who puts boxes of junk inside and your $40k truck outside.

 

[foulmouf]

I think the locking tailgate is standard. My XL has it.

 

[SN13]

It is standard. My XL has it as well.

I mean, what's the point of stealing it?

Aluminum scrap?

Thieves are the worst.

 

[joeb427]

It is standard. My XL has it as well.

I mean, what's the point of stealing it?

Aluminum scrap?

Thieves are the worst.

Need one or sell to crooked bodyshops.

 

[Robert Jones]

The police in So-Cal are posting on social-media about a rash in Ford tailgate thefts. It's now daily. I have the factory lock but now I'm getting paronoid too. Anyone try the optional tailgate lock ?

https://accessories.ford.com/catalog/product/view/id/12403/s/kit-lock-cylinder-repair/category/3115/

 

[joeb427]

I never notice one but is there a VIN# on the tailgate? If not, there should be.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

There is a simple fix for this concern of tailgate thefts besides the locking tailgate latch. All it takes is a hose clamp around the tailgate pivot. Thief cannot remove the tailgate due to the hose clamp and has to give up....Probably best to do both sides if you choose to do this

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Sponsored