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

[uvacpa]

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.

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!

Let me know which ones to order for my 22....tailgate cover and taillight assy. I'm going to get these.

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[Xman]

As I research this further so I am prepared when my 2024 arrives, I have yet to find clarity. There appears to be 3 methods for a thief to open a locked tailgate.

1. flip the latch mechanism. LatchLid protects from this. Ford is reported to have modified the 2024s with a smaller latch opening to make this more difficult (picture from LatchLid below).
2. use a screwdriver inserted through the small access hole in the top center of the tailgate. LatchLid provides a plate to block this hole (picture from LatchLid below). I am unsure if the 2024 MY F150s still have this access hole or if it can be used to open a locked tailgate.
3. remove four of the 8 screws from the tailgate's access panel, then reach in and activate the linkage to open the tailgate. This is how my neighbor's tailgate was opened to gain access to the tail light bolts/screws. LatchLid does not prevent this but does provide alternative allen head screws claimed to deter theft.

 

[Xman]

Thanks bolt and Rinn for the fastener information. I measured my neighbor's and they appear to be #8 screws for the access panel and #14 screws for the tail lights based on thickness measurements referencing Rinn's previously posted size chart. However, Ford's description suggest these are metric screws. I will take these screws to the hardware store and confirm if standard or metric. Both screws have captive washers.

 

[bfastr]

I used #12 self tapping security screws from McMaster Carr.

 

[fatBatman]

The kicker … the bill from the dealer was north of $6,000 which included $950 in labor.

The real thief is the dealership. $950 in labor costs for what took people in the middle of the night maybe 2 minutes?
You show me a good dealership in San Antonio and I will show you a liar.

 

[Ziggy73]

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.

Well, I guess it's been going this way for a while, it's sad that you can't even buy something with your hard earned honest money and worry about some sleaze bag taking your cat, stealing your SXS, trailer, RV, anything you have hooked up to your truck, or heck your whole entire truck. I purchased a seat belt device that goes around your steering wheel, but I'm sure you could defeat that, cut it, pick it or something, and a Faraday bag to keep the key in, but we're only playing the numbers, if they want it bad enough they'll get it, we're hoping that they're extremely lazy since they're already pricks.

 

[Kodiak]

Let me know which ones to order for my 22....tailgate cover and taillight assy. I'm going to get these.

I just ordered the LatchLid for my 2022 PB and it says it comes with "somewhat" security screws. We will see. I like that helps prevent someone from popping the tailgate thus making the security screws theoretically mute.

With the ARE topper locked and this LatchLid someone will have to work a little and break stuff to steal anything.

 

[G_Money]

I put these on my '23.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VFKN79W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Would love to upgrade to a security bit that thieves can't buy at harbor freight.

 

[HDT05]

Thanks bolt and Rinn for the fastener information. I measured my neighbor's and they appear to be #8 screws for the access panel and #14 screws for the tail lights based on thickness measurements referencing Rinn's previously posted size chart. However, Ford's description suggest these are metric screws. I will take these screws to the hardware store and confirm if standard or metric. Both screws have captive washers.

I was removing some screws on the weekend while installing for new mudflaps and I was surprised to find they were metric sized.... I had assumed they would all be imperial....

 

[Xman]

sorry to not have posted sooner, Ford may list these screws using metric measurements, but they matched diameter and thread pitch with the #8 and #14 at Home Depot. Before I decide what to purchase, I am going to measure the depth and diameter of the hole in the tail light (#14) just to make sure, e.g., measure twice, order once.

 

[bfastr]

I put these on my '23.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VFKN79W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Would love to upgrade to a security bit that thieves can't buy at harbor freight.

thats not a bad price for a “kit”. when you consider shipping from mcmaster carr etc.
however, that same bit came in a combo “tamper proof" bit set I bought a while ago. and most of our more ingenious thieves are just going to F things up with a pair of channel locks anyway.

my hope is the run of the mill thief is carrying simple tools and not a set of tamper bits, but if they really want something there isnt much to prevent it.

 

[oncechance]

thats not a bad price for a “kit”. when you consider shipping from mcmaster carr etc.
however, that same bit came in a combo “tamper proof" bit set I bought a while ago. and most of our more ingenious thieves are just going to F things up with a pair of channel locks anyway.

my hope is the run of the mill thief is carrying simple tools and not a set of tamper bits, but if they really want something there isnt much to prevent it.

I just ordered the kit. A little insurance doesn't hurt.

 

[Xman]

Regarding length and diameter:
- The 1" long #8s for the tailgate access panel could be 3/4" long and still have plenty of thread to secure the panel.
- The #14 tail lamp screws cannot be longer than the stock ones. There is a hard stop 0.8" into the hole. The hole diameter measures 0.180", essentially the shaft diameter of a #14 screw. I was not expecting that small of a diameter but surmised when the stock screw's threads cut into the plastic, it deformed into a smaller diameter. This may explain how #12 screws worked okay for bfastr.

Working with my neighbor, he will install the LatchLid kit on his truck. We will order the 3/4" #8s ScrewD for the access panel which I plan to use when my 2024 comes in. I still have to come up with a solution for blocking the center access hole and screws to use for the tail lights. I could use the #14 ScrewDs and cut them down or go with another option.

There are many anti-tamper sheet metal screws on the market to choose from. So, take your pick. I will continue to post as things progress.

 

[Kodiak]

I received the LatchLid kit and installed it today. The security screws that it came were pretty good but I might be afraid I might have damaged one putting them in. I hope I never need to replace them.

Super easy install and since I do not know how to "jimmie" the latch, I do not know exactly what it does. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Chappy133]

Got mine yesterday and installed on my 2022 F-150 EB. To install the screws firmly the supplied hardware started to strip the head as I firmed them down by hand. For $60.00 I was hoping for a better quality screws.

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