Need advice on taillights

[Cowboys22]

This truly sucks. A$$holes.

I recently purchased some torx head screws from Lowes, think I will try installing them tomorrow. Greg, keep an eye out on ebay for your stolen taillights, wouldn't be surprised to find them there....

I may wind up in jail or dead if I found the person who stole the lights. Wouldn’t be a good outcome for either, but as some point, people need to face consequences.

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[DHMag]

With the tailgate damage and tail light replacement, you're looking at about $6k out of pocket, ask me how I know. With insurance, it only cost me $499

The BLIS modules are VIN specific and also not included with the tail lamps assembly.

 

[Jason B]

No kidding. Big hunk of aluminum to just leave behind. This would stop if salvage yards or whatever they're doing would ask some goddamn questions or take ID or something for high dollar items.

Might throw some sort of security screw on my taillights just to not be the easiest target. I know they can be defeated, but if it slows them down, they'll often move on.

Chances are those are going straight to E-Bay or some shady body shop that doesn't care where they came from. Shady body shops will pay a few hundred for them, install them on a repair job, but charge customer/insurance full price.

 

[Skit hjälm]

Wow...the clowns didn't even know how to unplug the harness...

They may understand that harness is worth good money too.
Whoever buys stolen lights to fix their cut harness tailamp theft will buy a stolen harness to splice on also.

 

[SigOris]

WTF world.... I weep for my children's future.

My wife and I feel the same ?

 

[airline tech]

One option for anti-theft is to fill the screw heads with RTV, years ago right after 9/11, we used a product similar to Bondo - But I cannot locate the name of it.
Worked great, hated it though when you had to remove screw for access behind panel. You could easily spend 10 to 15 minutes getting the Bondo type product out with Pick

You can still remove screw BUT you have to dig out the screw heads with pick to get a grip on the screw. RTV though, you can still press hard enough on screwdriver and still grip head of screw, but visually it appears sealed over

You can use any kind of sealant, as long as it hardens and allows it to be picked out, I don't think a thief is going to spend the time doing this, I think this will just force him to bust the taillight in revenge for you not allowing him to get your light assemblies.

So, it's a lose-lose, if this occurs

 

[importfighter01]

Went to dinner a couple nights ago and both taillights were stolen. Question is, should I pay a $500 deductible or is this something that I should be able to order and install myself for much cheaper. The wires were cut and I am not that mechanically inclined but if it’s not too difficult and saves money, I would rather go that route. Picture of left below.

Bastards! ?

 

[Rhino]

Went to dinner a couple nights ago and both taillights were stolen. Question is, should I pay a $500 deductible or is this something that I should be able to order and install myself for much cheaper. The wires were cut and I am not that mechanically inclined but if it’s not too difficult and saves money, I would rather go that route. Picture of left below.

ive been away from the forum since Wednesday and man this sucks! sorry this happened man but for sure go through insurance like the rest have stated its way cheaper with all the damage they caused

 

[Blue Streak]

With the tailgate damage and tail light replacement, you're looking at about $6k out of pocket, ask me how I know. With insurance, it only cost me $499

The BLIS modules are VIN specific and also not included with the tail lamps assembly.

If these are VIN specific how do they get reused. I do not have these, I am also tech dumb.

 

[wetidlerjr]

...So, it's a loose-loose, if this occurs

I hate it when a loose gets loose. ?

 

[Langwilliams]

Now I'm thinking about ordering the security screws. I'm also considering a lock for the tail gate. Back in the day you could put a band clamp around the side that slips off. it's easy to defeat but it takes time an you hope they move on.

https://accessories.ford.com/products/ranger-2019-2021-mcgard-tailgate-lock-1

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

If these are VIN specific how do they get reused. I do not have these, I am also tech dumb.

Hey Larry, your dealer has to use their techno-wizardry to pair them with your truck. Maybe the body shop can do it as well, not exactly sure. Others on here may know for certain.

 

[Blue Streak]

Hey Larry, your dealer has to use their techno-wizardry to pair them with your truck. Maybe the body shop can do it as well, not exactly sure. Others on here may know for certain.

That's the problem with thievery no one questions were something comes from. with thieves.

 

[DHMag]

One option for anti-theft is to fill the screw heads with RTV, years ago right after 9/11, we used a product similar to Bondo - But I cannot locate the name of it.
Worked great, hated it though when you had to remove screw for access behind panel. You could easily spend 10 to 15 minutes getting the Bondo type product out with Pick

You can still remove screw BUT you have to dig out the screw heads with pick to get a grip on the screw. RTV though, you can still press hard enough on screwdriver and still grip head of screw, but visually it appears sealed over

You can use any kind of sealant, as long as it hardens and allows it to be picked out, I don't think a thief is going to spend the time doing this, I think this will just force him to bust the taillight in revenge for you not allowing him to get your light assemblies.

So, it's a loose-loose, if this occurs

The access panel isn't touched for tail light theft

 

[DHMag]

Now I'm thinking about ordering the security screws. I'm also considering a lock for the tail gate. Back in the day you could put a band clamp around the side that slips off. it's easy to defeat but it takes time an you hope they move on.

https://accessories.ford.com/products/ranger-2019-2021-mcgard-tailgate-lock-1

This stops tailgate theft, doesn't do anything to stop tail lamp theft.

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