Need advice: building a James Bond-ish secure 100 (2 Viewers)

[modus]

I’m looking to build my 2006 LX into a do-it-all for travel and security.

Last year I narrowly escaped a robbery and car jacking while traveling on the interstate between homes. The stretch of highway I travel can be desolate for long stretches.

This occurred in my GLE, thankfully it had enough power to get out of the situation, and when I called 911, they never got to me despite being on the phone for an intense 10 mins.

now I’m looking to build my LX into a secure people mover while still being discreet.
I’m adding security window tint for window breakage, looking into run flats, and I do carry pistols in the cabin and I’m adding a gun drawer in the rear cargo area in case it all went to hell.

Any advice or suggestions?

 

[FamilyCamper]

Sounds like a cool purposed build. 1 suggestion would be some minimal skid plates to protect oil pan and transmission/front driveshaft. In case you need to book it at higher speed off road or the shoulder you don't want to have a stick or rock bash any of that stuff and ruin your chances. Stock front one is good and can take a beating but you need another to protect oil pan/transmission.

 

[Patron100LC]

Scary stuff, maybe having an older vehicle like the 100 is enough to deter the perp looking for a night of action.

Maybe adding comms in case of no cell reception.
Also, lots of truckers in those isolated routes still use CB to entertain themselves on long hauls, and they might be helpful since if they hear you it means they’re close by. Hell, they’ll be thrilled to get in the action!
Not sure if the antenna will be considered discreet..

 

[plainjanefjc]

I’m looking to build my 2006 LX into a do-it-all for travel and security.

Last year I narrowly escaped a robbery and car jacking while traveling on the interstate between homes. The stretch of highway I travel can be desolate for long stretches.

This occurred in my GLE, thankfully it had enough power to get out of the situation, and when I called 911, they never got to me despite being on the phone for an intense 10 mins.

now I’m looking to build my LX into a secure people mover while still being discreet.
I’m adding security window tint for window breakage, looking into run flats, and I do carry pistols in the cabin and I’m adding a gun drawer in the rear cargo area in case it all went to hell.

Any advice or suggestions?

Maybe move to a better area? If not I’d get an AR pistol with a brace.

 

[MongooseGA]

Turn the rear window washer nozzle around so you can squirt your assailant behind you.

 

[plainjanefjc]

Turn the rear window washer nozzle around so you can squirt your assailant behind you.

Maybe drive a Land Rover they have the drop the oil on the road feature

 

[kpz1234]

There was an article in Car & Driver many years ago where the guy rigged a Saab to have a rear facing 4" quartz headlamp (that was high tech at the time) to blind people chasing him, also a toggle switch to black out the brake lights. TBH I think his stuff was rigged to get away from the cops.
In South Africa, they have all sorts of car security stuff including flamethrowers. I am not sure that's legal here.
You could also buy old body armor and rig it to protect the backs of the front seats. Run flat tires. Maybe a bull bar if you have to lay into someone's wheel well? I think you might want to look into a driving course of some sort. This company might be able to offer a recommendation near to you?

Bodyguard Training| Executive Protection Training| Executive Security Training

Colorado's leading bodyguard training and executive protection training facility offering full accreditation and VA assistance.

esibodyguardschool.com

 

[suprarx7nut]

Off Road armor (bumpers, skids, sliders), security tint, police lights (perhaps that's more of escalation fuel pending how bad your area is?), pistol for a last resort.

But also..... move or get that area out of your life? Where is it?

I've been in some sketchy parts of the west, but I wouldn't continue to go places I felt I needed to drive an armored car through voluntarily. You can prepare for the situation, but unless you really have to be there, removing yourself from the situation before it happens will be more effective than any defense mechanism you come up with.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Are you willing to armor your cruiser? If so that is your best route, literally AK47 proof it.
Look up Texas Armoring Corp.

 

[Patron100LC]

You can move to anywhere in the world, and still be exposed to crime. Car jacking is as old as the car itself.

Speak to people that are more exposed or went through it already.

Most that I know personally have 2 ways to travel by car. The nice car parked for weekends and special occasions, and usually travel in numbers.

Another ragged older car for daily driving.

Avoid travel at night.

The ones that have guns usually don’t make it to their destination.

 

[whitec13]

Find a UN spec Land Cruiser. They are bullet proofed and I think can survive a small IED as well. They are also like twice as heavy as a standard 100, so maybe throw an LRA tank if you go that route.

 

[plainjanefjc]

Find a UN spec Land Cruiser. They are bullet proofed and I think can survive a small IED as well. They are also like twice as heavy as a standard 100, so maybe throw an LRA tank if you go that route.

That thing would be such a slug- fuel mileage in the single digits- wear and tear on all the parts - the un folks treat vehicles like disposable objects- they aren’t paying for them. While a cool novelty, the idea of keeping a 20 year UN truck on the road would be expensive.

 

[whitec13]

That thing would be such a slug- fuel mileage in the single digits- wear and tear on all the parts - the un folks treat vehicles like disposable objects- they aren’t paying for them. While a cool novelty, the idea of keeping a 20 year UN truck on the road would be expensive.

Most comparable armoring options would run $40k-$70k alone, so the whole idea isn’t very practical to begin with. I have seen the UN spec vehicles sell for $20k-$40k, makes more sense to buy an “off the shelf” option that is done, rather than dump a new car price into armoring an equally old vehicle. Highly maintained or not, standard OE parts are not likely going to be happy about the doubled weight. My 2 cents

 

[rexington14]

Carry gun(s) - legally of course. And ongoing firearms training and target practice so you know how to use them.

Good dash camera and rear facing camera.

Maybe the custom long range fuel tank so you are stopping for gas less.

Otherwise perform frequent inspections and perform all preventative maintenance to try and prevent any breakdown situation leaving you on the side of the road.

 

[MechE30]

Buy a Tesla plaid and watch them fade away in your rearview.

 

[Mike NXP]

Another option to consider for people with big budgets...Saw one of these driving around recently. I thought it was an FJ cruiser with a body kit then I realized it was a mobile fortress
>Rezvani - https://www.rezvanimotors.com/

Some models have electrified door handles and seem to be bulletproof.

For more obvious practical advice, it sounds like you are on the right track. Doors locked, windows tinted, maybe metal guards inside the windows police car style.
** Random tip Always keep enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you escape if needed.... Back in Newark and I'm sure in other places they would block you from behind at the red light and then the car in front reverses into you to close the gap and then your trapped for an easy car jack

 

[Mike NXP]

Here is a good starting point for features to consider lol anything less and you might as well be walking around in your birthday suit

 

[plainjanefjc]

Here is a good starting point for features to consider lol anything less and you might as well be walking around in your birthday suit
View attachment 3722224

It’s what the bad guys in the terminal list drove around in.

 

[HuntersHikes]

There's a company in Ohio that builds armored Cruisers. You'd be wrong if you thought I remembered the name of it...

 

[MongooseGA]

There's a company in Ohio that builds armored Cruisers. You'd be wrong if you thought I remembered the name of it...

This them?

Battelle to Supply Dept. of State with Armored Vehicles | Battelle Press Release

Battelle will begin transforming Toyota’s Land Cruiser 200 series standard SUVs into specialized armored vehicles for the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) under a new contract award.

www.battelle.org