I had my tailgate stolen (while it was locked) in March of this year in broad daylight in downtown Dallas. Got it replaced and put a McGard tailgate lock on it this time. LAST NIGHT some jackass tried to steel it again. We ate at the Roadhouse last night, came out and noticed my tailgate cables were sticking out the gap between the tailgate and the bed, I'm thinking WTH. Reached up and sure enough the handle worked and when I opened it the cables had been unhooked. THANK GOD FOR MCGARD! If you don't have one of these locks and you've got the rear camera it's just a matter of time before you get hit.
I'm not sure what they are doing to the factory locks, but they're not even coming close to preventing theft. I stuck my key in the lock and at first it wouldn't turn but after a minute or so it broke loose and appears to be working. The first time my tailgate was stolen I figured they just stuck a screwdriver in the lock and destroyed it but now it appears that's not necessary to defeat it.
BTW the thieves didn't even touch the McGard lock, the dust cap was still on the locking mechanism.
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2011 F250 6.7L SD CC KR with Firestone airbags and Airlift wireless compressor ( Firestone wireless compressor --> GONE, what junk! ), B&W gooseneck hitch and Pullrite Superglide 5th wheel hitch. 5er, Work and Play 40FK toyhauler.
Sadly, the locks in your door(s) offer the same degree of security. Another place where a stainless steel hose clamp can provide a degree of additional security by reinforcing the sleeve containing the lock cylinder cast into the backside of the handle assembly.
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December, '02 build F-250 CC 4X4 Lariat 6.0/Torqshift,Toreador Red over Arizona Beige 4X4 FX4 w/ moon roof. Stull grill insert, chromed tow hooks/bed tie downs, painted door handles, King Ranch flares, '08 aluminum differential cover, Inyati bed liner, Edge 3" lift Bonspeed eight spoke wheels w/BFG AT KO 305/65R18s now gone, but greatly missed Pics http://community.webshots.com/user/going_going_gone
would a good gear clamp with boogered up screw head do the same thing as the McGard?
Frank, it might help but the McGard's $20 and looks to be pretty well engineered/made. Not sure the $2 hose clamp would be giving this the attention it deserves. My tailgate, even though the insurance company made the dealer buy one off the "stolen" market was about $3,700.
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2011 F250 6.7L SD CC KR with Firestone airbags and Airlift wireless compressor ( Firestone wireless compressor --> GONE, what junk! ), B&W gooseneck hitch and Pullrite Superglide 5th wheel hitch. 5er, Work and Play 40FK toyhauler.
It's not the "need". It's the target of opportunity. It's easy to lift it from the back of the truck. I suspect anyone with experience (the thieves), can have your tailgate in under 10 seconds. And look at the replacement cost above. $3700.00! Even if only $500, the thief has made his money.
It's not the "need". It's the target of opportunity. It's easy to lift it from the back of the truck. I suspect anyone with experience (the thieves), can have your tailgate in under 10 seconds. And look at the replacement cost above. $3700.00! Even if only $500, the thief has made his money.
Clearly, folks, not enough thieves are getting caught in the act and shot until dead. The punishment for being caught (MAYBE going to jail for a few months) is not great enough to deter the crime.
MK160
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2012 F350 Lariat, 4x4, CCSB, pale adobe/adobe, Chrome package with "chrome clad" wheels, Ultimate package, 20s, 3.55 ELD, bed liner, cable lock, 5th wheel prep. Now with Bilstein shocks and steering stabilizer.
Gone but will never be forgotten: 2000 Ford F250 SD 4x4, Ext. Cab, SB, Weld wheels, Ford AIS, Edge Evo, automatic with 6.0 cooler, 4 inch downpipe and exhaust, Bilsteins, air bags, A-pillar trans temp and exhaust temp gauges. Putco Boss Bars. LanceLite 845 camper. JW Towmaster transmission, BFG 33x12.50x16.5 A/Ts. Powerslot rotors, EBC pads. 219k at time of trade-in. The best vehicle I've ever owned.
The McGard tailgate lock was the first upgrade I did to my truck. Well worth the $22 at pepboys. I leave my tailgate unlocked a lot, because I am in and out of the bed very frequently. Again, the Mcgard lock is well built and easy to install. Cheap security in my opinion.
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Current Truck:
'12 F250 6.7 Lariat, S/C SB 4wd,
Dark Blue Pearl with Sterling Grey accent
3.55 rear, FX4 Package, Upfitter Switches
Weatherguard Toolbox, cab rack, 8-strobe Whelen miniedge, Husky mudflaps.
Still waiting on the ventvisors, bugshield, and a few other ideas.
Former:
'03 F350 6.0L
300,000+ miles stock.Original turbo, head gaskets, EGR valve/cooler and oil cooler.
Supposedly the "first of the worst" 6.0's
Great Truck - Never let me down.
...as an added bonus if you leave the tailgate unlocked they may not ruin the lock for you in the process of finding that you have the McGard lock.
Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app
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2011 F250 6.7L SD CC KR with Firestone airbags and Airlift wireless compressor ( Firestone wireless compressor --> GONE, what junk! ), B&W gooseneck hitch and Pullrite Superglide 5th wheel hitch. 5er, Work and Play 40FK toyhauler.
I don't remember ever seeing a tailgate store, the insurance idiots have created this monster and the only one that can stop it is maybe Ford, by putting the VIN on the tailgate. If a donut eater were actually interested it would seem like you could just wait at the local body shop until the guy delivers the next tailgate, the body shops know who to call...
Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app
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2011 F250 6.7L SD CC KR with Firestone airbags and Airlift wireless compressor ( Firestone wireless compressor --> GONE, what junk! ), B&W gooseneck hitch and Pullrite Superglide 5th wheel hitch. 5er, Work and Play 40FK toyhauler.
It's not the "need". It's the target of opportunity. It's easy to lift it from the back of the truck. I suspect anyone with experience (the thieves), can have your tailgate in under 10 seconds. And look at the replacement cost above. $3700.00! Even if only $500, the thief has made his money.
Thanks - I see your point
I like MK160's comment of "shot until dead" - fully support
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2012 F250 XLT 4x4 CC SB FX4 6.7PSD 3.55ELD Tuxedo Black
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