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Good morning,
I try to find a solution to a problem that concerns me since ever I have bought my second hand ute.
A second hand lockable tray was installed that can’t get locked. So the back of my ute is open and accessible always.
That’s not what I paid for… and I am carrying expensive equipment with me most times.
Instead of investing in another tray I had a specialised automotive locksmith look at it and he came up with a solution that seems undoable now. He initially said that I should drill a hole into the Utes back and attach an eye bolt; which I did. I then went and bought a carabiner with attached Velcro to attach to either side of both bolts. Great idea initially,
and now comes the ‘but’
how am I supposed to screw the washer and nut to the eye bold through and under the plastic if I can’t reach in between the plastic and the metal? There’s no hole on the other end as it’s the tailboard of the vehicle; which is closed.
I can’t weld and don’t know anyone who does.
Is there any glue that’s strong enough for me to glue it on so that I can screw in the eye bold from the top?
Hello @Sybilla the plastic trim on the inner edge of the tail gate is removable, behind which is the structure of the door, partially removing the trim would allow sufficient access as no glue will provide the strength of joint you are seeking.
Why couldn't the original lock be repaired? 🤔
Surely some type of sliding bolt latch would be preferable? OR even a online tutorial on how to repair the latch yourself?
Thanks for your reply.
my apologies if I wasn’t clear enough before.
I’m aware that the plastic is removable (I am on job site and didn't have my impact driver a with me which made it impossible for me to unscrew the plastic cover, to take a picture of the actual problem/ for the solution that the locksmith came up with.)
According to him the latch is too low and instead of going above the latch hanging from the tailboard and to lock onto it, it’s getting pushed back. He mentioned that if he lifts it it will be too high and will probably fall over the latch. No matter what I’m basically screwed atm as nothing I do makes it lock it.
It was a job done by someone I didn’t choose and that person has also used a second hand tray which I wasn’t informed about as well.
like I said before; I’m beyond frustrated as nothing works as it should and my tools are completely exposed to anyone at any given point.
apologies if my explanation is poorly worded. I’m a non-English mother tongue and don’t know every word in detail yet.
Good morning
@Dave-1 @JacobZ ,
hope you two slept well.
The second picture shows the level to open the tailboard.
There’s no keyhole anywhere and on the right is the reverse camera installed.
The third picture was the explained idea of that locksmith technician. Drilled a hole into the plastic and metal to then attach an eye bolt to it so once it’s shut to close it within the open space from the top. I’m short so I’d have to go onto my tow bar to do it on either side; but I don’t mind as I’m used to climbing things due to my height.
it was a great idea but won’t work since I can’t push my hand between the plastic and the metal to push the eye bolt through and screw on the washer and the nut at the same time.
I was now thinking of hiring someone to have it welded onto the bottom back of the metal inside tailboard. This way I could screw the eye bold from the top through plastic and metal.
what do you think will that work?
the other picture shows the amount of holes that guy drilled to attach the not closing latch. I removed it to remove the plastic and haven’t put it back on yet. Doesn’t matter really since the lock won’t lock anyway.
Waiting patiently for your ideas.
Thanks guys.
Have a great Sunday.
Regards,
Sybilla
