Here a while back, I was looking through the forums and came across Myst's profile of all the mods he has done to his truck. I was very inpressed with them all. But one thing really caught my attention. It was the very simple mod of useing a zip tie or a hose clamp to secure the tailgate so it would not come off by accident or something. As soon as I seen this, i went out and put them on tailgate ( at 2am). Well, here lately, in the city where I live, we have had a rash of tailgate thefts. I made a point to keep the tailgate locked to prevent this. Well, one night after returning home, I forgot to lock it. At about 230am, I had a nature call. I looked out the bathroom window into my driveway, only to see someone trying to get the tailgate off. I ran and got my cell phone and called the police,while watching this turd trying to get my gate. He was trying like hell, and and it just wouldnt come off. Well, about three minutes after calling police, a city police car came down the street, slamming on the brakes, and skidding sideways, about 25 feet from this turd. He tried to run, but soon relized,and to my surprise, they had the house surrounded and he had no where to go. They are sure this is the guy thats been doing all the thefts. The arresting cop asked me why the tailgate wouldnt come off and i showed him the hose clamps. He was like "thats a damn good idea, I will put those on my truck." (Also a f150 owner). Aparently, the guy didnt see them on there. Anyway, I just thought I would share my story and thank Dave for this simple but big $$$$ saveing idea. Take his advice and put them on your truck!!!

 

I read the same thread too, but after hearing your story I will be looking to doing that myslef.

 

I have to thank myst in a similar manner, except I did the locking powertailgate mod. So if my truck is locked, my tailgate is locked.

I might still do the hoseclamp, I was moving around the worksite the other day with my tailgate down, and after going over a bump the whole thing boucned off thanks to that torsion rod and it was hanging by the cables....luckily nothing was damaged. Thanks for all your good documentation myst!

-ii

 

Thanks guys! Althought the power tailgate mod (at least how I implemented it) was my idea, the tailgate clamp idea was borrowed from asinatra here on the board. My thanks, and certainly porkchopf 150's thanks go to you.

It just goes to show the power of sharing, and why I happily share my mods. This is an awesome forum.


Congratulations on the quick thinking and apprehension of the theif.


Edit: I guess I should take credit for documenting it, it took longer than the mod!!!

 

Man that is great, I hate thieves. This forum is a really great place and has helped me a lot also. I will be doing this mod myself as soon as I get in from offshore.

 

Can you show the zip tie or hose clamp on the tailgate- Sorry for the repeat question

 

Your a good man, you deserve credit for the documentation


https://www.f150online.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1437563

 

Keeping this thread going because it's the absolute easiest mod you can do to your truck and may save you hundreds of dollars!!! I too, installed a simple black cable-tie (have thousands of them at work) the day after I saw Myst's gallery pictures about a month ago. DO IT! Quit reading this post, go get the cable-tie/tie-wrap and put it on. It's so easy and yet so useful (as you can see by porkchopf150's initial post. Ahem, why are you still reading this? GO!!!

 

ttt

 

I need to go do this now..