All,

Okay, I am a first time truck owner, damn good choice if I must say myself, thank you.
I was helping pick up a few items this past weekend. Once the bed was loaded I attempted to close the tail gate but a portion of the moving blanket I set down got in between the lower passenger side of the gate. I applied a little extra pressure only to find my tail gate fall off it's hinges and hang by the cables!
My first thought was the same as my 'Chrome Clads'.... was Dodge on the cheap??? It didn't take long (after I plucked my jaw off the floor and a few choice words for Chrysler ) to realize how easy it was to remove the gate and replace and why it was designed this way in the first place.
Guys (Gals), help me with this one .... If some a$$ ever wanted to stock up on extra tail gates they could pluck mine off in less than a minute! Looking back and checking the cables it's now easy to see the usefullness BUT knowing about this ahead of time could have avoided me a change of shorts!

Ikaika

 

Thats why there is a lock on the tailgate

 

lol you will find that almost all newer trucks are that way. I know I when I was working at a garden store, I was loading mulch into an 07 Chevy 1500. We had that thing fully loaded down and when I went to shut the gate it completely fell off! I about **** myself right there on the spot. it seems that the newer trucks have opened the lip up a little more making it easier to remove and install the gate.
If you are paranoid about someone stealing your tail gate, just install a lock for it.
great choice on the truck.

 

You're lucky you got yours with a lock! I'll be buying one now, thanks!

 

tailgate lock? please do tell.....

 

Those who purchased 09's and the truck was built prior to Dec 08 I believe, do not have the tailgate lock. Those built after Dec 08 come with it standard.

 

here is what I am talking about: http://store.msperformanceonline.com/pl3400.html
Just like the other guy^^^^ said, it came standard on all trucks built after DEC of 08

 

All,

Thanks for the useful information. I am past the humiliation of my tailgate falling off the other day and appreciate all your advice.

Ikaika

 

You can get the tailgate handle that they're putting in the current trucks with not only a lock, but a place to mount a backup camera.

 

These are the part numbers you need to order the parts for manuel tailgate lock. 68044904AB,4589709AB,68044867AB,68049237AA. I should be getting a call from dealer next week when parts come in.