damon_achey

Ok, just had the tailgate stolen off my '02 2500 yesterday and it freaking ticked me off. I'm looking for a lock for the new one I get from the insurance co. After searching I've found most recommend the Bully lock.

Fine, I want the keyed one to make it more obvious to the casual thief that it's locked. My question is which one to get. All sites selling the Bully lock have the splits as 94-01 and then 02-04. But the redesign was in 03 so do I get the older one or follow their advice?

Damon

Mechanos

'02 was the first year for the new body design. It was only available on the 1/2 tons that year. '03 was the first year for the new body style on the 3/4 & 1 tons but it's the same as the 1/2 body style.

Simple translation: '02-'04 implies new body style. '94-'01 implies gen. 2 body style.

damon_achey

Thanks, that was I was thinking but I forgot they 1500 were done a year earlier.

Added: BME Covers has the cheapest bully locks I've seen for $23.99 shipped anywhere in the continental US.

Commatoze

Every tailgate lock I've seen or tried (Pop N Lock) are pieces of junk. The tumbler on mine corroded the first winter I had it on, plus if you pull hard enough, you can break the plastic handle or the lock itself. The only ones that really work are the remote cable release jobs where the mechanism is hidden and the release in inside the cab. If you want to slow them down, a short bolt with 2 jam nuts installed in the cable eye seems to work best. You're probably looking a grand for a new tailgate and paint.

dctoner

The news last night said they had just busted someone in Boise that was stealing them from Dealers and selling them on Ebay. He has a storage shed full of them. The ones they were showing on the news were all new Dodge tailgates.

You guy's that pull those 5ver's and Goose necks need to remember to drop that tailgate so you can put these guy's out of buisness

damon_achey

Official estimate is 1200 for a used gate with new latch, painted, and Rhino lined.

Commatoze

Ouch! Sorry, man.

phox_mulder

Off the main topic, but kinda still on.

I've found a lot of aftermarket places are confused when I tell them I want something for my 2002.

I've taken to just saying it's a 2001 and leaving it at that.
Prevents a lot of headaches and hassles.

Back to the topic at hand.

There's also a trick you can do with a hose clamp around the hinge.
Not quite sure how it works, but it will slow them down, maybe enough to not make it worth it for them.


phox

jfpointer

It's been a while since I had mine off, but if I'm remembering correctly how it comes off, the hose clamp on the hinge would cover up the opening in the hinge that the pin in the tailgate slides out of.

damon_achey

Ok, still on this. Two online retailers have proven unable to get me this (one I am going through the CC company to get my $20 back).

Soooo, anyone in the Seattle area know where I can pick one up localy?

WA4SLC

I have used a pop-n-lock for several years now. I bought it for my 95 1500, because I carry a generator when I travel with my camper. I also have a chain and lock on the generator also. I moved it to my 01 2500 when I traded.
JC Whitney has an electric lock that locks and unlocks with your truck power locks. I have thought about getting the power lock to make it easier on me. The pop-n-lock is a little bit of a pain to take off and put back on every time you want to open the tailgate.

Bill