Tailgate Theft

[Rene Michaels]

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/

This seems like a good option. No one has replied to your post ...would love to know if it actually fits the Ranger. Also wonder if the tailgate is operable once it is on, or if you have to unlock that device each time.

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[Motorpsychology]

Wow ... what could you get for one of those $5000+ "Stairway to heaven" GM tailgates?

Problem is ... what happens if it starts unfolding while the guy is running away with it?

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[Onlyone]

Here is my solution bought for a different reason though.

I ice fish quite a bit. Being as how the flip over ice shack is longer than the truck, I have to have the tailgate down. I was worried that while parked somewhere after fishing that someone might have an interest in my fishing shack. I looked into ways to secure it but nothing was really easy to use in sub zero weather so I bought one of these. I stick it to the inside of the shack and arm it after I part the truck. If anyone even moves the shack a little teeny bit, this sucker goes off and it is loud. I can see attaching this to the tailgate and when someone moves the tailgate, this sucker would go off. Attach it with cheap harbor freight magnets to the tailgate and you are set.

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Mark

Then, catch them and shoot them in the neck. And the face. Twice.

 

[Dropper]

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

Inside my garage is my wifes car and lots of mountain bikes worth a pretty penny, workout equipment. They call it a 4 car garage but you really cant open the doors next to each other if you park 2 next to each other. So yeah I got stuff in my garage but it certainly aint junk. thats in the way of parking the ranger.

 

[Dropper]

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

That is a great idea you should pitch to ford.

 

[Enitan]

Our HOA requires Vehicles in the Garage at night...No parking outside the garage... You can not tell who is home and who is not...I like this!

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

Nice idea but I’ll pass. HOA are glorified nannies with people who have nothing better to do than nit pick their neighbors.

 

[joeb427]

Nice idea but I’ll pass. HOA are glorified nannies with people who have nothing better to do than nit pick their neighbors.

Yeah, I'm in one. A power trip for the board members.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Nice idea but I’ll pass. HOA are glorified nannies with people who have nothing better to do than nit pick their neighbors.

Hi Drew,

What you state is true about powertrips...Our board is 5 members of which they are all POS. However, we have a management company that now effectively neuters their personal agendas, like my next door neighbor. That said. We have no cars on cement blocks parked in the driveway for example Car collector on the next street up had to construct another attached garage with hoists to hold his 8 cars...nothing in the driveway. I was the webmaster for the HOA for 8 years...all I got from that service was an AMF. Now the website is a repository of useless and obsolete info. Oh well, I head to my shop and create or fix and my wife slings paint on her canvas. We have our circle of friends and they also are in the love/hate opinion on our HOA.

Here is a pix of a lamp I made for a neighbor out of a piece of the mesquite stump I used for my dining room table. Lamp harp is too long but her intended shade will maybe be okay...otherwise the shade will over power the lamp base...Decided in a turquoise inlay in the crack in the base...The black looking oval holes are from Mesquite worms and the cracks are part of the character of the mesquite wood. The color (colour? eh?) is natural as the clear finish is clear tung oil. The color will be much richer in a few years. Not a business as the HOA states as I give this stuff away...Next door neighbor on the board wants to so bust me but has on grounds on which to stand as I do not sell out of my house. Margie and I do sell out of the Tubac Center of the Arts, an artist community 20 miles South of us, but the HOA has no power over this...

All in all...I agree...HOAs suck!

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

 

[The Long Ranger]

Nice idea but I’ll pass. HOA are glorified nannies with people who have nothing better to do than nit pick their neighbors.

Just out of curiosity, is that dog's name "Earl"?

 

[Enitan]

Yeah, I'm in one. A power trip for the board members.

I’ve heard so many horror stories from friends who have them, I would never in my life subject myself to that.

Hi Drew,

What you state is true about powertrips...Our board is 5 members of which they are all POS. However, we have a management company that now effectively neuters their personal agendas, like my next door neighbor. That said. We have no cars on cement blocks parked in the driveway for example Car collector on the next street up had to construct another attached garage with hoists to hold his 8 cars...nothing in the driveway. I was the webmaster for the HOA for 8 years...all I got from that service was an AMF. Now the website is a repository of useless and obsolete info. Oh well, I head to my shop and create or fix and my wife slings paint on her canvas. We have our circle of friends and they also are in the love/hate opinion on our HOA.

Here is a pix of a lamp I made for a neighbor out of a piece of the mesquite stump I used for my dining room table. Lamp harp is too long but her intended shade will maybe be okay...otherwise the shade will over power the lamp base...Decided in a turquoise inlay in the crack in the base...The black looking oval holes are from Mesquite worms and the cracks are part of the character of the mesquite wood. The color (colour? eh?) is natural as the clear finish is clear tung oil. The color will be much richer in a few years. Not a business as the HOA states as I give this stuff away...Next door neighbor on the board wants to so bust me but has on grounds on which to stand as I do not sell out of my house. Margie and I do sell out of the Tubac Center of the Arts, an artist community 20 miles South of us, but the HOA has no power over this...

All in all...I agree...HOAs suck!

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

Phil,

nice lamp my man!

I’d honestly last a week with a HOA. I’ve heard such insane stories: getting fined for not green enough grass, getting angry threatening letters for kids playing outside, fines for grass to y’all or grass to short, threatening letters over changing oil in the driveway, fines for painting the house a shade darker or lighter than allowed, I could write you a book on what my friends and family have been through with HOA. I’d rather pass and live in the bed of my ranger thanks.

Man y’all have to have the patience of a saint dealing with that. Once I get my workshop set up come on up and go to town. Closest neighbor is over 500’ away. All I ask is a legit lamp

Just out of curiosity, is that dog's name "Earl"?

ha! Rescued two of em from a shelter. She’s named Jerry (don’t ask me) the other is named Moose. They’re two peas in a pod. They were bonded and we only found out after we signed the paperwork they were on day 89/90. They’re living their best life now and will as long as I get up on the right side of the dirt every day.

She loves going for any kind of ride in the Ranger. Him he’s a big baby and hates any moving vehicle. Don’t judge the dirty floors or my inability to get photos to rotate properly.

 

[AzScorpion]

This seems like a good option. No one has replied to your post ...would love to know if it actually fits the Ranger. Also wonder if the tailgate is operable once it is on, or if you have to unlock that device each time.

Hey Rene, It looks like it fits the Ranger. Once you open the link there's a place to click where it says " view compatible vehicles" and that says Ranger 2019 & 2020. It also is operable once you install it. If you order through the dealer you can use you FordPass points so it's basically free.

The new Tailgate Lock by McGard® offers an affordable and efficient way to prevent unwanted removal of your vehicle’s tailgate. Does not interfere with the tailgate’s operation.

 

[AzScorpion]

Hi Drew,

What you state is true about powertrips...Our board is 5 members of which they are all POS. However, we have a management company that now effectively neuters their personal agendas, like my next door neighbor. That said. We have no cars on cement blocks parked in the driveway for example Car collector on the next street up had to construct another attached garage with hoists to hold his 8 cars...nothing in the driveway. I was the webmaster for the HOA for 8 years...all I got from that service was an AMF. Now the website is a repository of useless and obsolete info. Oh well, I head to my shop and create or fix and my wife slings paint on her canvas. We have our circle of friends and they also are in the love/hate opinion on our HOA.

Here is a pix of a lamp I made for a neighbor out of a piece of the mesquite stump I used for my dining room table. Lamp harp is too long but her intended shade will maybe be okay...otherwise the shade will over power the lamp base...Decided in a turquoise inlay in the crack in the base...The black looking oval holes are from Mesquite worms and the cracks are part of the character of the mesquite wood. The color (colour? eh?) is natural as the clear finish is clear tung oil. The color will be much richer in a few years. Not a business as the HOA states as I give this stuff away...Next door neighbor on the board wants to so bust me but has on grounds on which to stand as I do not sell out of my house. Margie and I do sell out of the Tubac Center of the Arts, an artist community 20 miles South of us, but the HOA has no power over this...

All in all...I agree...HOAs suck!

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

Hey Phil,

That's some really nice work you do,I wish I had half of that talent! We were down your way last fall and went to Tombstone and Bisbee for a few days. On the way home we stopped at the Tubac Center and it was a really nice place with a lot of nice stuff from local artist. We also went to the Titan Missile Museum which was the highlight of our trip,what an experience that was! Next time we're down that way we can meet up and have that 5 o'clock bourbon.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hey Phil,

That's some really nice work you do,I wish I had half of that talent! We were down your way last fall and went to Tombstone and Bisbee for a few days. On the way home we stopped at the Tubac Center and it was a really nice place with a lot of nice stuff from local artist. We also went to the Titan Missile Museum which was the highlight of our trip,what an experience that was! Next time we're down that way we can meet up and have that 5 o'clock bourbon.

Hi Dave,

Sounds like a plan to me!

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

 

[FULLSCALE]

This seems like a good option. No one has replied to your post ...would love to know if it actually fits the Ranger. Also wonder if the tailgate is operable once it is on, or if you have to unlock that device each time.

I missed that option before. I knew they were available for other trucks from McGard so I checked their site but it wasn’t there. Good to see it’s available through Ford!

 

[Mokume]

The tailgate on my 2000 S/Cab was stolen twice, a mechanic buddy suggested that I add a hose clamp exactly like Sandman stated, that seemed to end the theft issue. 2000 Rangers were not equipped with factory tailgate handle locks.

This same buddy owned a beautiful lifted and tricked out '79 K-10 Blazer that was stolen twice (and recovered twice, amazingly) and broken into numerous times that he was seriously considering wiring huge capacitors to the vehicle so that when somebody touched it they'd get a nice zap of electricity.

I talked him out of this idea, how was his invention going to differentiate between a thief and one of his kids?

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