I plan to put a canopy on soon, as I want to get back into Mt Biking and I need to keep the bike secure. Since I have the 82 model PU, there is no option to get a locking latch for this tailgate. I was thinking of just screwing on a latch on the pillar on either side of the tailgate, and either have padlock loops positioned on the tailgate to line up with them, or there are some door latch hasps that come with a "swivel staple hasp" built in that can be turned to secure it, as well as a hole in the hasp to add a padlock.

I was thinking there might even be something similar to gate latches where I could mount the prong part of it on the pillar, then the latch would lock onto it when closed automatically. These would also be fairly easy to unlock after opening the canopy hatch.

HOWEVER, since I may likely be getting a cheap, used, aluminum canopy for affordability reasons, the latches that accommodate padlocks might be best overall, since if any potential thief might manage to pick the lock on the canopy hatch or bust it open, they would at least possibly be deterred by having a very hard time attempting to wrestle the bike out of the small hatch opening, since the padlocks on the tailgate latches would be locking the tailgate closed. I will however add further security by making or buying a slide out bike rack, which will be securely mounted to the bed, with loops I will put on it to chain lock the bike's frame and wheels to it.

So I've so far kind of narrowed it down to the design shown below, since it could be used quick and easy in cases where I'm parked at a gas station, grocery store, restaurant etc, (anywhere in public view), or use the padlocks for more remote places like trailheads. The latches would be mounted on the wrap around rail part of the bed, which is the only part of the corners that are flush with the tailgate. I'm pretty sure the bed rails are made out of a bit more robust steel as well. I plan to of course get some deep thread countersink stainless steel sheet metal screws as well to mount them. The beauty of this design is the material they're made of is thick, stiff, and weather resistant, and it's pins and mounting screws are obscured when it's closed. Since my tailgate is not perfectly aligned with the bed rails, I will also get some stainless washers to act as shims to line things up.



If anyone has a suggestion they think might work better, please by all means I'd love to hear it. I would prefer actually a means to just keep the tailgate lever from pulling out somehow, but I'm having a hard time thinking of a way to jerry rig such a locking device.