Truckin'
08-10-2005, 10:11 PM
We are taking a long trip pretty soon and it does not look as though the promised tailgate lock is an option for us before our trip. We decided to put together a make do discourager for keeping our belongings secure.
We spent about $2.00 on a three inch hook with a keeper spring. We had a two inch "L" angle for the receiver hole. We cut the part that sticks out short, just beyond the hole, and ground the edges since it protrudes about an inch from the side of the truckbed.
The hook screwed right into the screw hole on the tailgate. Instead of taking the cover bolt out of the brace on the rail, we cut a slot in the "L" angle so it could just be slipped over the bolt after it was loosened. That way we did not need to worry about the spacer behind it slipping.
We got the angle to match an easy connection of the hook and then used some silicone sealer to get it to stay in place better. It was an after thought, but the angle luckily barely allows the trunk lid to open past it.
This secures the tailgate, much like the one that Ultra-Hog put in his truck.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1295&page=3&pp=10&highlight=tailgate+lock
It wouldn't prevent an aggressive break in, but will discourage anyone from just opening it up. The cover will stay locked making it more inconvenient to any brazen thief.
We spent about $2.00 on a three inch hook with a keeper spring. We had a two inch "L" angle for the receiver hole. We cut the part that sticks out short, just beyond the hole, and ground the edges since it protrudes about an inch from the side of the truckbed.
The hook screwed right into the screw hole on the tailgate. Instead of taking the cover bolt out of the brace on the rail, we cut a slot in the "L" angle so it could just be slipped over the bolt after it was loosened. That way we did not need to worry about the spacer behind it slipping.
We got the angle to match an easy connection of the hook and then used some silicone sealer to get it to stay in place better. It was an after thought, but the angle luckily barely allows the trunk lid to open past it.
This secures the tailgate, much like the one that Ultra-Hog put in his truck.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1295&page=3&pp=10&highlight=tailgate+lock
It wouldn't prevent an aggressive break in, but will discourage anyone from just opening it up. The cover will stay locked making it more inconvenient to any brazen thief.