A year or so ago I was on my way to work and noticed in my mirror that my (soft) tonno cover seemed loose but I didn't pay much attention to it. When I got to work I looked and the back of it was unlatched. Then I noticed the tailgate had hand prints literally all over it, especially along the bottom edge. Apparently somebody had tried to steal my tailgate that night/morning right in my drive way and I didn't have it locked, but I did have a hose clamp on the hinge on the right side. I'm convinced that $1 hose clamp saved my tailgate. However, I do keep it locked now also.

 

my tailgate was just stolen too. how much does it run to get one, painting and all? stupid effin' crackheads....

 

I work at a dealership body shop, I supply the parts to them. It cost the cust or insurance company about $600-$800 ford all the parts neccessary to build a tailgate. PLUS, paint and labor times. So probably $1,000-$1,200 to get complete job done at retail prices. And it seems to happen pretty often down here in S FL.

 

Not sure what AAA ends up paying for the parts, but the parts price on the paperwork from the body shop was $991, and the paint and labor was $429. I called the local Ford Only salvage yard just to see what they go for, and he said usable was $600 up, but mostly impossible to find.....

 

I could never remember to lock mine so I add the power lock actuator, if the doors are locked the tailgate is locked.

http://members.***.net/kinzerford/F-...gate_Lock.html

 

You zip tie around the one side that let's it come off.

I also added a power lock.

 

VERY nice, I'll give it a try.......Do you recall the amount of rod movement on the actuator, or the type you used? Since yours obviously works, it would be nice to come up with the same part..........

Thanks.........

 

I used this one: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=330-010

I used a piece of fiberglass sheet to mount it, took two tries before getting it to line up right. I think the actuator moves about 1/2 to maybe 3/4 of inch and like Myst's pics I used about 6 tiny zip ties to tie the rod to mechanism. Roughest part is running the wires up to the cab, which isn't bad.

 

I have a good size hose clamp on mine so they would have to take a while to unscrew that if they wanted my tailgate. I figure they won't take the time, so I feel better about mine, locked or unlocked.

 

yah ive got a lock on mine, and will soon be doing the hose clamp once i find one the right size

 

I installed a Pace Edwards solenoid lock on my tailgate. It activates whenever the passenger side door locks or unlocks. It was very simple to install, and I don't worry about locking the tailgate when I leave the truck anymore...just hit the door locks and it's done.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...4/Unlocked.jpg

Notice how the actuating rod (pictured on the left side of the r/h cutout) slides into the mechanism to lock it...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...FX4/Locked.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...eintocabin.jpg
On the driver's side, there is a funnel-shaped grommet that you can feed the lock solenoid power wires through...once inside the cabin on the driver's side, I went across to the r/h kick panel and found the Pink w/ Orange Stripe wire for Unlock, and the Pink w/ Black Stripe wire for Lock. EASY!

I also have a small hose clamp on the pax side pin.

Sorry to hear of the theft...scumbag thieves really tick me off...