68 c10 fleet side tail gate theft deterrents

[ron lechman]

I'm settling an insurance claim for a stolen tailgate and don't want to go thru this again. Thanks to forum members that supplied info resulting in a reasonable settlement.

I want to keep my truck looking relatively stock but don't mind a few subtle changes that may be needed for locks, alarms etc.
Hopefully the lock and/or latches can be inside the box.
I will be leaving the box open without a cover.

Any suggestions?

[kwmech]

Lock-tite on the bolts?

[ron lechman]

Yes. loctite on the bolts would help some. Thanks.
I'm also considering different heads on the bolts. Perhaps tri-wing or others as used on aircraft.
I've heard of pounding lead into Phillips headed screws then sanding the heads smooth and painting them. It would take some time to locate the + and clean out the groves enough to loosen the bolts.

I would like a deterrent to keep the thieves from opening the tailgate like a lock on the tailgate handle or lockable latches or deadbolts inside the bed.

An alarm with it's own battery for open tailgate and/or doors is also being considered.

I'm hoping to get some pictures and ideas of what other owners have bought or built to keep their tailgates safe.
Currently... guns and explosives are off the table...

Cheers!! Ron

[69-72]

Good ole Winnipeg. That’s always my fear, I try to backup to a pole whenever I can. Where was it stolen from, I’ll keep an eye out

[ron lechman]

Thanks for your reply. It's sad to say but now I carefully look at every 67 to 72 Chev differently not only because I like them but to check out their tailgate to see if it could be mine.
The tailgate was stolen over night while my truck was parked behind my house.
I live in Transcona.

I'm considering having my serial number welded onto my replacement tailgate before it gets painted.

[toolboxchev]

The four bolts holding the gate on at the trunions can be through bolted with very little modification.

[ron lechman]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

The four bolts holding the gate on at the trunions can be through bolted with very little modification.

Thanks for another good idea.
Would you mind elaborating on the method of through bolting.
I think I know what you mean but I'm not positive.
If it is what I think would you put on a jam nut or double nut and / or drill a hole in the bolt for a cottor key?

[crakarjax]

Similar to through bolting (I'm guessing he means use a long bolt and add a nut on the back) I was thinking for the purpose of using a rear roll pan to weld nuts onto the trunnions and then bolt through the other side of the bedside. This would throw would-be thieves off at least. Or you could install a rollpan with regular style bolts and then they'd never be able to get the gate off!

Kind of surprising though, I wouldn't have thought that anyone would have the balls to rip off a tailgate. I mean, anyone in this hobby should be pretty empathetic about messing up another guy's truck. Must have been some really shady characters... but how did they know your truck was behind your house anyway? Might be someone local to you.

The best deterrent tbh though is installing cameras at your place.

[ron lechman]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Similar to through bolting (I'm guessing he means use a long bolt and add a nut on the back) I was thinking for the purpose of using a rear roll pan to weld nuts onto the trunnions and then bolt through the other side of the bedside. This would throw would-be thieves off at least. Or you could install a rollpan with regular style bolts and then they'd never be able to get the gate off!

Kind of surprising though, I wouldn't have thought that anyone would have the balls to rip off a tailgate. I mean, anyone in this hobby should be pretty empathetic about messing up another guy's truck. Must have been some really shady characters... but how did they know your truck was behind your house anyway? Might be someone local to you.

The best deterrent tbh though is installing cameras at your place.

Thanks for your input.
Your explanation about through bolt makes sense.

Sorry. I should have mentioned that I have a lane behind my house and the truck was parked in my yard next to the lane.

I've installed motion lights and will be looking into security cameras.
I still want to make my truck and it's parts theft proof as possible.

[B. W.]

I was thinking of tamper proof torx like KQQL IT but, every mechanic out there has a set of tamper proof sockets.

You could use JB Weld instead of lead, same results, just easier.

[ron lechman]

Originally Posted by B. W.

I was thinking of tamper proof torx like KQQL IT but, every mechanic out there has a set of tamper proof sockets.

You could use JB Weld instead of lead, same results, just easier.

I'm a retired commercial aircraft mech. On some aircraft they use a triwing headed fastener. Like a Phillips but with only three sides and Airbus uses something similar to a Phillips but the four sides are offset. I may try to purchace some unique bolts like that and through bolt the trunions.

Good tip about the ease of using JB weld to fill the slots.

[B. W.]

Those fasteners would definitely work - the thieves would be scratching their heads! Especially the offset phillips, they'd probably try two or three screwdrivers before they realized it wasn't a phillips.

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by B. W.

I was thinking of tamper proof torx like KQQL IT but, every mechanic out there has a set of tamper proof sockets.

You could use JB Weld instead of lead, same results, just easier.

They're more than just a tamper proof torx use a special key.

[B. W.]

Oh, I didn't see those. I think those would work great. The McMaster page that loaded only showed internal torx & allen head.

[KQQL IT]

https://www.mcmaster.com/#tamper-res...crews/=1azgeey

[Robznob11]

A roll pan makes is dang there impossible to access the bolts, sucks for the install. But doubt anyone would go through the trouble to steel it!

[ron lechman]

Thanks for the info on the unique fasteners.
Cheers!! Ron

[Acorn]

I just ran across this really nice build thread and it has cool idea for the tailgate handle. Check out page 20, post #497-498.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...530401&page=20

[stsalvage]

I use the 1960-66 round cups so you are under the truck for a while.Plus you can just put a wire feed dab.It wont move unless your on a lift so you can get access.To it.Its the strange things that people steel.A friend of mind found a nice cherry GMC with a big dent.In the middle of the M plus it cut the metal.He bought one of them alum Chevy plates can not tail if its GMC Or Chevy payed like 10 dollars for it and bought the used alum Chevrolet.Alum peace at a swap meet for 35.00.Some one almost stole his.He laughs his ass off when they took that alum peace off to find a mess up GMC tail gate they left the alum peace on the ground next to his truck

[ron lechman]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

I use the 1960-66 round cups so you are under the truck for a while.Plus you can just put a wire feed dab.It wont move unless your on a lift so you can get access.To it.Its the strange things that people steel.A friend of mind found a nice cherry GMC with a big dent.In the middle of the M plus it cut the metal.He bought one of them alum Chevy plates can not tail if its GMC Or Chevy payed like 10 dollars for it and bought the used alum Chevrolet.Alum peace at a swap meet for 35.00.Some one almost stole his.He laughs his ass off when they took that alum peace off to find a mess up GMC tail gate they left the alum peace on the ground next to his truck

Using the 60-66 round cups sounds like a great idea. I'll look into that.

Can you explain "Plus you can just put a wire feed dab.It wont move unless your on a lift so you can get access to it"

As for thieves, some people are unaware of kharma. As a friend says "I'm not in charge of bad luck but, bad things happen to people who do bad things to me".

[ron lechman]

Hey Acorn. Thanks for sharing that thread. Great detailed information.
Cheers!! Ron

[bbrriiaann1973]

I have a roll pan and a lockable bed cover

[rockyrivermark]

Being bolted on I would have never thought someone would steal it.
I'm going to do something with mine. Security bolts or something
On my work van I install a inexpensive crimestopper brand alarm system.
For $59. I know they aren't fool proof and often not paid attention do but the sensitively relay would have sensed movement and gone off. You would have heard it.
Super easy to install. Prob need to install neg trigger hood pin switch or lockable hood so they don't disconnect battery. Again so so easy to instsll.
I'm adding that to my C10 this year along with lock actuators. I prob won't install the flashing red light indicator. No sense in letting them know it's even there so they don't think to try to disarm it. Just one more line of defense.
Just s thought.
On my c10 I have a series of four 3 positions switches under the Column. Not trying to even hide them.
One brings power in. One goes to dist. One goes to nureul Saftey and one goes to horn with one minute replay. Need to know all 4 correct positions to start truck.if you try the horn switch in any position it goes off for one minute and lights come on.

[bbrriiaann1973]

Do you have the option of parking inside?

[ron lechman]

Nice Yellow truck Brian. A bed cover is a good idea but not in my plans yet

Some very good ideas rockyrivermark. I was considering using a seperate rechargable tool battery for the alarm. Easy to conceal and unexpected.