True. My idea is pretty complicated. A visual deterrant even as insignificant as a blinking LED in the dash would probably be enough to make thieves stray.
That's what I've considered doing. Getitng one of those blinkeing red LEDs from some store display and attaching the LED to my dash with wiring going to a battery box somewhere I could easily reach. I like the kill switch in the Tuffy console idea too. I might have to do both
Problem with a fake alarm (led or similar) is that a would-be theif just bumps the car...if no alarm goes off, then in they go, but now with some vengance to "get even" for you trying to trick them.
A simple hidden switch somewhere. Pick something important, use the switch to turn it on/off. It'll stop a casual theif and is cheap and easy. As mentioned, the determined theif is going to get it somehow.
I've always thought that a frame of scalpel-sharp black anodized wire in a cross pattern covering every window deploying when you exit the car would be nice...the cleanup of the sliced flesh and blood would almost be worth it. Alas, like most of MY ideas, not practical. The kill switch on the power wire to the coil seems the simplest. On an EFI vehicle, sometimes it's easy to interrupt(with a switch) the power to the fuel pump.
Do they sell LoJack decals? Maybe the standard "this vehicle equipped with an anti-theft device" decals & a cutout switch on the ignition would be enough.
If someone is intent on stealing your rig they'll probably watch while you start it for a clue to the procedure.
Oh, that and most car thieves are young, and most young'sters' don't know what a choke is, let alone how to operate one. Good luck starting my rig sucka!
I’m sorry, if you are this worried about your rig being stolen and none of these ideas will work for you then the only thing left is to build a towable fire, and theft proof box that where ever you go you can park your rig inside of it. equip it with a retinal scan to gain access. Make it where if someone besides yourself is to try and open it and it does not recognize their eye it will dispense pepper spray into their eyes. It will have a computer onboard that will record their eye and if they try to do it again it will then shoot poison darts it to their eye causing temporary blindness. If this isn’t enough and they try again this box will have a mobile robot that will emerge from the theft proof box and cut his feet and hands off, then cauterize the wounds with salt and isopropyl alcohol. Now I would like to see then steel it without feet and hands.
My neighbor wired his ignition through the headlamp switch on his j**p. It won't crank over unless the lights are on...I personally like the shifter lock...
i never have to worry about theft in the winter. it takes about 10 minutes to warm up the bitch before it will even drive, and with my "throarty" exhaust ( i.e. holes in the muffler) id be outside with my slugger before the thief knows what "hit "him.
for what its worth, i have "the club"
hammer
I know this is illegal, but after having several cars stolen, I always wanted to set something up under the handle so that when someone goes to open it and check to see if it is unlocked (I have tinted windows), they get one helluva shock.
My second option would be a kill switch. I like the "inside the Tuffy console" idea!
I know this is illegal, but after having several cars stolen, I always wanted to set something up under the handle so that when someone goes to open it and check to see if it is unlocked (I have tinted windows), they get one helluva shock.
My second option would be a kill switch. I like the "inside the Tuffy console" idea!
The only problem with the "nothing to steal here, move along" theory is that it's not practical when your actually using your rig to explore. I'll be in Death Valley over the holidays and I have concerns not only while in the park, but in the travels to and from. When we park and hike, when we stop for a bite at a restaurant, when we stop for the night at a friends house in L.A.....So ya see, keeping nothing in the truck won't work while road tripping.
The kill switch is as good as removing the coil wire which is as good as pulling the main fuse while parked. Those will render the vehicle unstartable, at least until the F*#cker figures it out if he/she is smart enough. As far as protecting valuables inside? Keep things out of site, in locking storage boxes, Tuffy consoles, chained and locked on roof racks etc...
The thing is, as lot's of you have said, if they really want it, they'll just take it.
I had an entire rock climbing rack and camping gear stolen en-route to Joshua Tree...sucked big time. I had only stopped for 20 minutes off the freeway to get some supplies.
Keep your karma in check and be sensible where you park and leave your vehicle. Keep your insurance up to date including letting your agent know of any additions and modifications backed up with reciepts BEFORE your in a positon to file a claim.
Read my post again, I wrote "nothing EASY to steal here" big difference from "nothing to steal"
My 60's main purpose is road trip/expeditions, it is always loaded and ready to go, and I am ALWAYS super paranoid about leaving it anywhere out of my site.
I just did not think pissing off thiefs was a good idea, just try to encourage them to move on.
Some of the things I do on a regular basis;
lock the glove box
lock the console
keep everything neat and out of sight
lock the cargo drawers
I lock the push button of the tailgate, you would be surprised how few people would know to look for that and it blocks access to the drawers
put the truck in 4 lo
remove the shift lever
cable lock my spare tire, bumper and roof rack together
remove coil wire
activate starter kill switch
park in a corner with the truck locked in 4 lo so it cannot be towed easily
among a bunch of other anal and worrisome things.
you mentioned insurance, who do you use?
No insurance would even think about covering my truck, all they see is 1985, 300k miles, that is worth $998 to them.
Do you use someone more cooperative?
