Stolen tail light thread

[Muddy Fenders]

Thieves of 2023

You might slow them down, but they're not going to stop.
Lets be real, there is probably some characters amongst us who see the value of these lights and are watching you scramble for solutions, and they're right here watching.
The legal system and the social system needs to do their jobs and keep them off the streets.

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[Blue Streak]

I want to know were the market is for all of these stolen lights. Are that many damaged?

 

[Fordup]

I want to know were the market is for all of these stolen lights. Are that many damaged?

Could be Ford buying them back to keep production running. ?
In reality there may be a tic tock video about making a wall hanger out of them.
One thing that usually happens when you try to stop thefts of things like taillights is there will be much more damage to the vehicle in the end.

 

[Muddy Fenders]

Just some added fodder for the discussion

https://www.brycefastener.com/the-security-screw-problem.html

https://www.brycefastener.com/key-rex-tamper-proof-screws-bolts.html

 

[Trigganometry]

Just some added fodder for the discussion

https://www.brycefastener.com/the-security-screw-problem.html

https://www.brycefastener.com/key-rex-tamper-proof-screws-bolts.html

Nice fasteners but, I don’t need 500 of them to do 2 tail lights. My guess is the bits are 30 bucks each and if you lose it you’ll be toast too!

 

[Vagabond102]

Sorry this happened!

The last person that tried breaking into my rig had his face meet the pavement *ahem* a couple times. Police called it self defense and took the guy away in an ambulance.

Not a violent person, but I value what little I have as I worked hard for it.

 

[SigOris]

I was looking in that general direction. I pulled a fastener out yesterday and the OD measures 1/4” approx and is 3/4 long. It’s a sheet metal type screw. Was thinking of a torx with the center pin dome head. Can’t grab it with pliers and unless you’re carrying that torx bit you’ll be out of luck.

My big concern is finding a way to keep the screwdriver punch on the tailgate release handle from happening. That’s collateral damage that would be just as bad as losing the lights!

So further digging it appears they are M6-20mm so that fits your 1/4 by 3/4. I’ve seen the bolt referenced as a a BALLAST bolt. More research needed. The hunt for Jimmy Hoffa continues.

 

[SigOris]

Nice fasteners but, I don’t need 500 of them to do 2 tail lights. My guess is the bits are 30 bucks each and if you lose it you’ll be toast too!

A group buy possibly.? 500/4=125 people. Only works being able to get 125 or more bits.

 

[Jason B]

OK. After reading this whole thread I took a look at my tail lights and pulled a screw out. The thread almost looks like a license plate screw which is a 1/4” sheet metal screw. I took a 1/4-20 x 1/2” long stainless screw put a little lube on it and put it in by hand so it would not break the plastic. They hold the lights nice and tight and the thief would need a #3 Phillips to get the lights out. One of my saving graces is I have a truck cap that is always locked.

Ah yes, the very elusive hard to find #3 Phillip's.

And before someone goes out and gets off the shelf security screws, just know that Harbor Freight sells a 100pc security bit set for $10.

 

[subquark]

That's a really good pic of a really bad vulnerability.

Thanks for posting it, I'm sure that will help develop a homemade way to slow someone down.

What a frigging shame. =(

 

[Racket]

That's a really good pic of a really bad vulnerability.

Thanks for posting it, I'm sure that will help develop a homemade way to slow someone down.

What a frigging shame. =(

I was thinking that too. I recall armored plates to cover van door handles, guess some hideous looking solution would be out in the wild.

 

[Jmarler]

I just installed these and it worked. I recommend using bigger washers. These didn't come with any and I had to use my own.

#14 x 3/4" Button Head Torx Security Sheet Metal Screws Stainless Steel Tamper Resistant, Qty 10 Number 14 Size x 3/4" Length by Fastenere https://a.co/d/6Xw0Nf9

 

[Rick V.]

Ah yes, the very elusive hard to find #3 Phillip's.

And before someone goes out and gets off the shelf security screws, just know that Harbor Freight sells a 100pc security bit set for $10.

Jason, The screws are not a fix all just a deterrent. Just like the privacy torx in the other post. Unless they show up like this, then you don’t have a chance.

But if you have two of these from Amazon you would be fine.

 

[DonB]

I just installed these and it worked. I recommend using bigger washers. These didn't come with any and I had to use my own.

#14 x 3/4" Button Head Torx Security Sheet Metal Screws Stainless Steel Tamper Resistant, Qty 10 Number 14 Size x 3/4" Length by Fastenere https://a.co/d/6Xw0Nf9

That's what I have on order

 

[DonB]

Security screws with covers on top because why not baffle them with bullshit?

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