My brother had his (locked) tailgate stolen, Houston

[Silverado4x4]

My truck has security stickers on every piece of the truck so if someone does do it the number gets ran and is im assuming marked to who owns it

 

sent from my truck in a field

 

Your kidding right? Security stickers? Well seems to me they can be pealed or sanded off. Don't think there gonna work.

[sourdough44]

Seems TX is a hotbed for wheel & tailgate theft. I'll have to keep that in mind. I do like that 'gate keeper' device.

[SarahsGMC]

 

Your kidding right? Security stickers? Well seems to me they can be pealed or sanded off. Don't think there gonna work.

Um no. There's a stamped number and a code on every sticker each part number (tailgate door fender etc) is put into a computer the stickers just let you know that parts in the system..

 

sent from my truck in a field

[MikeNH]

That system doesn't do anything unless someone specifically knows to look for the sticker.

[SarahsGMC]

Either way if I report them stolen they can be tracked easier

 

sent from my truck in a field

[tonyghkbve]

Maybe the VIN number should be stamped into the tailgates. This way the police could trace them if they are reported stolen. ID purposes etc.

Good Idea and also it should be file proof! meaning that the VIN number is unable to be filed off. In fact starting soon, ALL new replacement tailgates MUST have a VIN number stamped on it to curb theft of tailgates.

[Silverado4x4]

Good Idea and also it should be file proof! meaning that the VIN number is unable to be filed off. In fact starting soon, ALL new replacement tailgates MUST have a VIN number stamped on it to curb theft of tailgates.

 

Nothing that a grinder and some bondo cant take care of. Come on people there's always a way around everything and do you think a etched vin and stamped stickers are going to stop them and what's the chance of getting it back.

[06pirate]

 

Nothing that a grinder and some bondo cant take care of. Come on people there's always a way around everything and do you think a etched vin and stamped stickers are going to stop them and what's the chance of getting it back.

 

Yeah, considering entire vehicles get stolen and are never heard of again.

[PMattras]

 

Nothing that a grinder and some bondo cant take care of. Come on people there's always a way around everything and do you think a etched vin and stamped stickers are going to stop them and what's the chance of getting it back.

 

If a grinder or bondo is used the tailgate should not be saleable. Just like pawn stores can't take anything if the VIN number is damage in any way. A damaged VIN is a sign it was stolen and if caught should be taken by the police. There is no reason for a damaged VIN. If so it should be marked on the title.

[dgrinnell]

 

If a grinder or bondo is used the tailgate should not be saleable. Just like pawn stores can't take anything if the VIN number is damage in any way. A damaged VIN is a sign it was stolen and if caught should be taken by the police. There is no reason for a damaged VIN. If so it should be marked on the title.

Really, and banning all guns is going to stop all gun violence. The people who steal these are not really legitimate people.

[Bad Bowtie2]

There are a lot of people looking for a tail gate lately.

 

Basically they want you to buy 'your own' tail gate back.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

 

And trying to add the B/UP camera option??

[CoasterCOG]

I bought a GateKeeper ( http://www.jimmijammer.com/GK%20description,%20200450.htm )and just finished installing it. I really wish I'd going with one of the worm clamp style locks. Getting the bolt out the first time for the install was a PITA.

 

I couldn't get enough leverage to move the things with a 1/2" drive socket. Had to resort to my Gorilla lug wrench. Then because their removal tool needs such a small socket I had to use two reducers to get from 1/2" drive to 1/4" drive. Needless to say that the reducer to 1/4" was not designed for that amount of torque and I snapped the first one in half. Luckily I had another that was a little higher quality and it survived. I give their removal tool credit though for holding up and not stripping the bolt.

 

Once the bolt was out sliding the lock in and re-installing the bolt was easy. I torqued it down pretty good but I don't think it will be nearly as hard to remove in the future, or any more secure than the worm drive style.

[tonyghkbve]

Seems TX is a hotbed for wheel & tailgate theft. I'll have to keep that in mind. I do like that 'gate keeper' device.

Especially in Houston, it is the number one Texas hub of all auto-related theft.

[patriot]

Thanks for the reminder people. I still need to install a clamp on mine.

I'll do it today.

 

 

Thanks.

[Spurshot]

This level of theft activity usually can be traced to a simple market for the thieves.

 

In my area, batteries were being stolen for decades. If you went into a few seedy neighborhood battery stores and stood at the counter for more than 10 minutes, you'd see some kid come in with a battery and set it on the counter. The sign behind the counter in these places read: "we buy used batteries for $2" or something like that. Almost every time I was in these places, I'd see a kid come in with a battery to sell them. Almost every time, the battery had the terminals still clamped on and the cables cut. In more recent times, the price paid has gone up.

 

I do know that the police have finally figured out this process of society. They stop by these battery stores now and again. That slows it down a bit. But those store owners are as dirty as the punks that take the batteries from the cars.

 

So, I'm betting there's a business somewhere, buying tailgates and selling them to body shops.