How do we keep our tailgates safe??

[robvolz]

Seems the average price for a J-10/20 tailgate is $400.

I'm in the market for one right now. I'd hate to lose it to some meth-head grabbing it for scrap metal.

Any ideas??
Robert

[wiley-moeracing]

you may be able to adapt a door handle with key lock in it from an amc car?

[Mikel]

Has anyone had their tailgate stolen?

[fulsizjeep]

One was stolen then recovered at Ouray KOA a few years ago. Someone from the campground staff had stashed it behind the maintenance shed.

[robvolz]

you may be able to adapt a door handle with key lock in it from an amc car?

awesome advice. Name the car(s) and I'll start hunting the parts lots.

[Cecil14]

Pretty much every AMC car in the 70s and 80s (and prolly a bit earlier) used the same door handles as our tailgates, I'm not mistaken. The problem is finding a car that hasn't been crushed to pull all the parts from. You'd need the internal locking mechanism, not just a reproduction handle.

There's a couple different type handles listed on this page:

http://cartype.com/pages/2724/the_handle

I wonder if we could find a good source for the Rebel handles there, with the integrated lock. We'd need some dimensions to see if it would fit. The other issue may be interferece of the latch rods with the lock, might have to get creative there.

Anyone have a good source for a yard with AMC scrap cars still around?


aa

[Ristow]

you still need a latch with the lock mechanism in it.

[440sixpack]

A tailgate would be worth about $1.00 for scrap. not really a high dollar item for any lazy tweaker.

And as far as parts go while Jeep parts can be very hard to find the other side of the coin is there aren't many people looking for them and prices are cheap when compared to many vehicles.


I just put an NOS gate on my J10 so believe me I get what the OP is saying. I'm too paranoid to let it get out of my sight after dark. but the reality of it is it's very unlikely anyone is out to score a Jeep tailgate .

[robvolz]

well, its much more rampant than you give credit for.

Perhaps more so with modern trucks, ford, Toyota, etc...

but still, it happens nightly.

https://jalopnik.com/here-are-the-11-states-where-youre-most-likely-to-have-1822588910

[robvolz]

and this article......

https://jalopnik.com/watch-your-ass-someone-might-steal-your-tailgate-248991957

[Mikel]

A tailgate would be worth about $1.00 for scrap. not really a high dollar item for any lazy tweaker.

That's the key. To the average tailgate thief, a late-model tailgate is worth a considerable amount of money. One of ours...


My M715 tailgate is worth quite a bit to the right person, but to 99.9999% of the population, it's an ugly piece of pressed steel with 50 years worth of wear.


Every risk calculation is a function of the value of the loss and the likelihood of it happening.

[robvolz]

OK, but for another example. Say I have an expensive generator in the truck bed. It would be much more difficult to lift such a heavy item up and over the sides (or back) than to simply open the tailgate and slide it out.

Here in Portland, OR, I just had my lawn mower stolen from my back yard. I'm paranoid and sick of losing my stuff to others who think its ok to take what isn't theirs

I found an AMC handle and lock. Gonna get it keyed to match the door locks.

Thanks for those who were helpful.

[KaiserMan]

Remove the pivot that is oblong and allows the tailgate to be quickly removed. Replace it with a full round one (same as the other side). This is how Gladiators are. In order to remove the tailgate someone now has to lower it and unbolt one of the hinges. The screws are a number 3 or 4 phillips. Not everyone has that on them. They can still steal it, but will have to work for it.

[2ToneBluJ10]

I saw this a few years ago. Must of had a locking topper/camper shell to prevent removal. I liked the look of it.

[Cecil14]

OK, but for another example. Say I have an expensive generator in the truck bed. It would be much more difficult to lift such a heavy item up and over the sides (or back) than to simply open the tailgate and slide it out.

Here in Portland, OR, I just had my lawn mower stolen from my back yard. I'm paranoid and sick of losing my stuff to others who think its ok to take what isn't theirs

I found an AMC handle and lock. Gonna get it keyed to match the door locks.

Thanks for those who were helpful.

Let us know how the handle works out, and where you picked it up. I'm definitely interested in converting mine over.


Thanks,


aa