The Ford F-Series line of pickups has long been the top-selling vehicle in the U.S., but it has also long ranked near or at the top of the most commonly stolen vehicles, too. However, in recent years, thieves have begun targeting pricey parts like taillights, tailgates, and headlights, which are becoming more and more expensive to replace due to the presence of sensors, cameras, and other tech. Now, one police department has provided us with a pretty simple tip that can help prevent Ford F-Series taillight theft from happening in the first place.
According to People Newspapers, Ford F-Series taillight theft has become quite common in the University Park, Texas area lately, with an average of one theft occurring per day in January, in fact. Considering the fact that it can cost around $4,500 to replace those parts, this is obviously a huge problem for owners, and that doesn’t even include the costs of installation or fixing any damage that might occur from the theft itself. Regardless, Jase Schellinger, a detective with the University Park Police Department, recently shared a simple solution that he learned from another officer in San Diego, California some time ago that can help prevent these types of thefts.
That solution is to replace the four taillight screws that come with the trucks with a different type that doesn’t fit the drill bits thieves use to remove them. Currently, University Park Police are offering to do this for free, and thus far, have replaced the screws on 120 different Ford F-Series pickups in recent years – none of which have suffered taillight theft as a result.
As Ford Authority previously reported, Ford F-Series owners can also purchase anti-theft kits from a company called Omaha Bravo Designs that are designed to make it difficult for thieves to steal tailgates, taillights, and hoods from those models. Those kits are relatively inexpensive too, which makes them a pretty solid way to prevent having to shell out much more money if a theft does occur.
Comments
Maybe Ford could put the unique headed bolts in at the factory? If a thief is smart then he could get the unique tool. The assumption is that most thieves are opportunists and will look for easier targets (it’s true for most cases).
A smart thief is likely able to steal something much more valuable. “A man with a briefcase can steal mush more than a man with a gun”.
If Ford didn’t charge $4500 for a taillight it might also cut down on thefts.
Hell yeah brother!!!
Also locking your tailgate helps too. And that’s for free as well.
$4500 for tail lights is insane!