Stolen Tailgates

[Forest Moon]

My thoughts are: The 24 & 25 tailgates are aluminum and have scrape value.

No way, they go on FB marketplace or Craigslist intact, and sell for hundreds of dollars. They are not stealing tailgates for less than $10 worth of scrap metal.
This was a big thing with 3rd gen’s because replacing a damaged one could be more than $1000. Some people would rather get a cheap replacement with no questions asked than pay full price.

Sponsored

 

[Sagebrush]

I don't think the 4th gens have aluminum tailgates.

They are made from aluminum.

I think this whole post is based on one clickbait article.

 

[TacoFreak]

They are made from aluminum.

I think this whole post is based on one clickbait article.

OK - I obviously did not know that the tailgates were aluminum. Interesting...

There is so much negative garbage about the 4th gen out there that one reported tailgate theft could easily be turned into a crime wave. I had a buddy who's Nissan pickup tailgate was stolen almost 30 ago, so this is not something new, or just happening to Tacomas. No one seems able to pass up any opportunity to diss our trucks for some reason.

 

[Slappy]

tailgates have been stolen since the '70 from fords & chevies
pickups back then were 4 work or campers on the back
and they were not all fancy like now
parts r parts & snitches get stitches

 

[Sagebrush]

No one seems able to pass up any opportunity to diss our trucks for some reason.

That's for sure. Here's an explanation for some of it:

 

[Pappy]

Interesting that somebody would steal tailgates. I wonder if you could slow down the thiefs by simply installing band/worm clamps around the hinges. Simple and cheap.

 

[EastonTaco]

Interesting that somebody would steal tailgates. I wonder if you could slow down the thiefs by simply installing band/worm clamps around the hinges. Simple and cheap.

You could. That is essentially what the McGard is but instead of a screw it has a unique bolt that requires a unique keyed socket and it’s housed in a plastic holder that positions it correctly.

 

[RokeHi]

Interesting that somebody would steal tailgates. I wonder if you could slow down the thiefs by simply installing band/worm clamps around the hinges. Simple and cheap.

Stealing for the backup cameras to sell. Just like the converters.

 

[dvrgz]

I read an article last week stating that there have been a lot of stolen 24-25 Tacoma tailgates.

Can you link the article ?

 

[rijc99]

I found this from Google. Not specific to 2024 but relevant nonetheless

Costa Mesa

 

[WKTJR1]

Probably written by the dude who bought the Maverick.

 

[TacoFreak]

@Sagebrush After learning that the tailgate is aluminum I decided to check if there were more aluminum body panels I didn't know about. I knew that the hood was, but that was all I was aware of. It turns out that the rear fenders are aluminum also, so the entire bed is either aluminum or composite. and all of the cab, and the front fenders are steel.

I have watched this truck since it was introduced and have owned one since September, and I am still learning stuff about it.

 

[WKTJR1]

Remember when the 2014 F150 was released with an all aluminum body. Everyone was freaking out about repair and insurance costs. Now? It's the norm.

Sponsored