F150 Tail Lights: Easy to Steal, Expensive to Replace!

[Xman]

My neighbor returned from a trip where the theft of both tail lights occurred in the hotel’s parking lot. Thieves have found the trick to quickly and easily lifting F150 tail lights, even with a locked tailgate. I searched the forum and didn’t find a similar post so started this one.

When he walked to his truck in the morning, he found wires hanging out of the back, tailgate down, and tail lights gone. The thieves were able to pop-open the hard tonneau cover and remove four screws from the tailgate’s panel. They then were able to slide their hand behind the panel, grab the unlock cable, and manually activate it to open the tailgate. With the tailgate open, only four bolts had to be removed to lift out the tail lights and unclip them. All fasteners were left in the bed of the truck. The tailgate panel was not bent but the locking tabs were broken off on the connectors. Only one dealer in San Antonio had the LED tail lights in-stock for the 2019 Lariat but not the replacement cables. The technician did demonstrate how easy it was to get the tailgate open and said this theft has become common. The kicker … the bill from the dealer was north of $6,000 which included $950 in labor. This does sound unreasonably high but the LED tail lights are around $1,500 retail and the BLIS sensor another $600. I could not find the parts cost for the new 2024 LED tail lights. I do not know if any calibration of sensors were required. Owners beware.

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[jhelrey]

All you need to open a TriFold is a screwdriver and a hanger with a hook.

This has been reported here by a member that had theirs stolen.

That's why we have insurance.

 

[BigEFord4Lyfe]

I haven't looked on mine yet , but one solution is to possibly replace fasteners with security fasteners ?

 

[Rinn69]

I haven't looked on mine yet , but one solution is to possibly replace fasteners with security fasteners ?

I plan on getting these but I'll have to wait and measure the factory ones when my truck eventually comes in....

https://screwdsecurity.com/

 

[Dakar09]

I am really starting to despise our modern "society".

I'm sure the replacement was needed right away, but seems less expensive to go with aftermarket units vs stock dealer parts.

 

[Kodiak]

I plan on getting these but I'll have to wait and measure the factory ones when my truck eventually comes in....

https://screwdsecurity.com/

Thanks for posting this link. About a year ago I posted a thread about security screws but basically got nothing. I searched high and low and never found this company. They look great. I'll have to see now if I can find the screw/bolt that is used for my 2022. This company will let you buy a small quantity of screws and not hundreds of them, so I may just restart this project.

Thanks again for posting and come back and let us know if you find any screw size. Good luck with your truck when you get it! My 2022 has been great!

 

[Xman]

Rinn, thanks for the screw find. Here may be another option called Latchlid. This YT video show how it works.

Stop Ford Tail Light Theft! LatchLid Install (youtube.com)

 

[Xman]

Just say another YT video that explained that this is a major theft issue in South TX (SA to Austin). It takes 30 seconds to steal the tail lights. Replacement parts are in short supply or unavailable with a 1-2 month wait at some dealers. Owners are calling dealers out of state to get replacement shipped in.

Rinn, let use know what screws to order. I think the tailgate panel screws should also be replaced.

 

[Dakar09]

I'll be using those screws when my truck comes in. Thanks for posting!

The standard torx security heads would be a good start but the miscreants probably have a set of those on then already. These ScrewD (love the name) seem different.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Texas news covered it in 2021.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Using security screws I would expect your truck to be all scratched up when they are frustrated.

 

[eharri3]

Tonneau doesn't look busted so I'm guessing it's got that wire latch that someone was able to actuate by going through the tailgate seal gap, popping mechanism on both sides with one yank?

How much better off are the people with old fashioned bedrail clamps? I assume maybe you'd need to at least go to the effort of forcing the thing up with a crowbar. Had a Bakflip for 10 or 11 years with the wire mechanism. Now have a 650 dollar Rugged liner with far less convenient but harder to reach tailgate clamps on each side.

Not hard for thieves to read up on different tri fold brands so they can go through a parking lot and know which ones will open with the coat hanger trick and which ones will take more time, effort and noise.

Just look for stuff like Bakflip or Undercover and their various clones. Youtube shows everybody how they all work. Then if you can't figure it out for yourself some youtubers have posted educational videos of people breaking into different products to show why one latch mechanism is better than another.

 

[DrBST]

Rinn, thanks for the screw find. Here may be another option called Latchlid. This YT video show how it works.

Stop Ford Tail Light Theft! LatchLid Install (youtube.com)

I purchased the same for my '23 and would recommend it as a deterrent (although I hope I never need to have its efficacy tested). That and a hard, locking cover (I have a Peragon) .

Thieves suck.

-Brian

 

[Chili]

I assume no one goes after the base model taillights, just the top trims?

 

[Jekyll]

Interesting, LatchLid website says Ford fixed the TG release vulnerability on 2024s and their product is not needed.

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