Most of us already know our vans are pretty much laughable as far as security goes, their factory door locks so easily defeated even by a crook-in-training. Having already once been vandalized and losing expensive tools/property the steps I've taken so far have been “successful” in that I've not yet been hit again. (First time was my fault---didn't take necessary steps to at least obsure property left inside over night.)

Despite the rather apparent presence of an on-board alarm system I'm still not convinced I'm immune even in my relatively safe neighborhood. Crooks seem to find our theft-proofing attempts more challenging, love to hone their skills on fat, easy targets late at night. Sadly the smash and grab thing happens during the day too---many a contractor has lost stuff in a Lowe's parking lot. We need to slow those fools down even if for a few seconds so they'll walk away empty handed

Externally mounted hidden shackle or “puck locks” have been with us for years--we've all seen those ugly bulges hanging off the side of many vans. I've always hated them; they're ugly, advertise high value cargo on-board, require drilling holes in otherwise perfectly sound doors and isn't easily reversed in the future.

The company Slick Locks has a great solution I think, here's their site: SlickLocks After talking with them I bought a full kit. Their site is well done, very informative with installation videos included. I thought I'd add my bit here on FTE, the real-life hands on experience for those like me always a bit skeptical of something in a video that looks too easy to do.

(Please know I am NOT in any way affiliated with or receiving any sort of compensation for this contribution! I'm simply sharing my experience with other van owners, aimed towards us who keep so many expensive and important job-related tools in our parked vans.)

This kit contains everything needed for the rear and side hinged or swinging doors: hasp brackets, hardened steel puck locks, spinner and flexible plastic weather tight lock covers:



First step is removing the latch screws: (I use a 1/4” impact driver and NEW #27 Torx bit; experience allows me to do this safely. These screws are very soft, the head recesses easily stripped without a bit of caution---please be advised!)



Next partially loosen the weather strip using the proper tool:



I found loosening at least three clips best, allowing the hasp/bracket to slide into position without fear of scratching the paint. (This isn't a huge concern but I like to err on the safe side.)



The latch isn't completely removed thanks to a clearance hole in the bracket, allowing one bolt to stay in place during installation---nice touch! At this point the screws are snug just enough to allow the bracket to move if needed, weather strip clips re-inserted.



The strike or catch is next:



(^^New or near-new #40 Torx socket, hardened versions are best.)

If your strike has never been removed these bolts will resist, be tough all the way out. They have a Loc-Tite type product along most of the threads as shown. Lubrication doesn't help much; slowly backing them out is best:



Unlike some door latch/lock components Ford's threaded strike plate is captured as shown here. On higher trim level vans like Club Wagons, et al its not necessary to have access inside the door due this feature. Some vehicles have similar hidden threaded plates not captured, can fall out of reach when all bolts are removed.



At this point the strike bolts are also just snug, allowing movement for aligning of this doors bracket with its mate on the opposite door.



The website shows a method to pre-align the brackets/hasps before final tightening of the fasteners---it gets you very close. A few trial fits with the actual lock fine tunes the fit, making for very easy on and off as well as engaging the lock bolt too.

This might take a few attempts for the prefect fit but its not hard and certainly not complicated either. Patience works well here!

After final alignment this is the result, pucks not yet installed:



The locks themselves have a feature called The Spinner which is an aluminum case surrounding, the idea to prevent something like a huge pipe wrench from twisting them off. (Crooks can be so creative when very motivated!) These are held onto the lock case with an easily removed clip:





The look when finished:





The biggest attraction for me with Slick Locks is they're almost invisible when not in use. I've considered having the lock cases powered coated a similar body color which would further lessen their visibility.

Along with the no-drill and easily removed feature as far as puck locks go this is light years ahead of the typical installation I've ever seen.

There are kits for other makes and sliding doors too---check the website.

So that's it----hope this was interesting or helpful!

 

Very interesting mechanism. Correct paint code in white would help disguise them as you said. Can you quote a ball park price on these?

 

I have an extra set that I'd be willing to share. It's basically new, unused as a demo for website photos.

PM sent to VannerDude.

 

those look pretty solid, but like all add-on locks, they still serve to attract attention from the wrong kind of people. and since vans of my era have rubber-gasketed windows which can easily be opened by a razor blade, i would hate to put any kind of visible advertisement of high-dollar cargo. at the end of the day, a motivated thief will get in to anything he wants. i keep my van looking plain enough that nobody looks twice at it.
but it looks like it would be great for anyone who has a company name or whatever on their van so they can't hide their value anyway! it'll at least slow down the average thief.

 

Josh you're 100% right on a few counts there----I shared the same sentiments as well before finding these. The typical puck lock brackets are dead giveaways something valuable might be on-board, advertising better than leaving the doors wide open---these were just a somewhat temporary stepping stone to another system I'll be installing. My biggest draw to the Slick Locks was their no-damage brackets and simplicity of installation. I believe it took me about 15 minutes which included pausing to snap a few photos along the way.

I'll be installing an automotive dead bolt device, something that behaves much like power door lock solenoids but proven to be nearly impossible to defeat by the usual smash and grab crooks. Drilling into the door shells is necessary but everything is completely out of sight, pretty much totally concealed. Another huge advantage is these dead bolts can't be manually opened even from the inside should they get that far.

I'll tie their operation to the alarm system, completely independent of the factory PDL's and RKE feature. This adds flexibility since I don't engage the full security system every time I leave the van. So far that's only in high risk areas or when parked over night.

You're also right about such measures only slowing down the pro thieves which really is my intention, let the alarm's siren do its part if it's triggered----crooks hate noise and flashing lights.

I'll do a similar write up, start to finish on the dead bolts sometime soon, will post under a new topic though.

 

i agree they are less visible than some, but even the empty bracket catches my eye. but i do like the no-damage design! those dead bolts you're looking at sound interesting - i'll follow that thread when you get there.

my van is secured mostly by factory locks, with an internal hasp for additional security on the slider when desired. the rest of my security system is the way it looks, with assorted dents and 4 colors of white paint. makes it most uninteresting to the average thief.

 

Have to chuckle at this----can totally identify! Had a '97 E250 with dark blue finish peeling off the body in big hunks---think of a blue and grey pinto pony and you get an image. Along with a few dented body panels, cable-tie secured grill and the entire roof rusted from loss of finish and primer too it was quite the ghetto-looking hoopty. (Ford used water-based primer that year, exterior color would just not adhere; flake and peel off after a few years, look like hell.)

It did have illuminated entry so pulling the exterior door handles turned interior lights on. I'd added several additional dome lamps so if crooks first tried the doors they may have thought a silent alarm had been triggered. That was an accidental situation but I'm fully convinced it keep that van safe until it was sold.

 

Hey JWA, I tried working with the pm system but I'm doing something wrong, I'll get with my computer consultant (my kid) when he gets home tomorrow and get back to you.

 

vannerdude, i think you're still on "newbie-probation" cause i can't send you a PM yet. once you're off probation, all you have to do is click on someone's username and a menu drops down, including the option "send a private message to [username]. i don't remember how many posts it takes to get off probation, but i think its like 25 or so.

 

Thanks Josh, I did read that now you mention it.

 

Just bumping this back to the top as a reminder what's out there for us and letting it be known this set of Slick Locks is up for sale, complete, nearly unused!

PM me for details--------less than retail naturally!


Thanks for looking in-------again!

 

Hi JWA: I am new to this forum and can't PM....but I'm interested in your set of Slick Locks. Can you PM me or reply here with your pricing. Their website has two of them for $180. Thanks a bunch!
(I have a 2000 E350 Conversion van)

 

Just ran across this JWA, awesome post! A couple of these vans have drilled and riveted padlocks on them right now from the stupid last mechanic. Some vans have no worry, but a few of the other vans have been broken into before. I will suggest this to my boss. I can easily install all the vans with them in a day or so.

 

My set was sold thru eBay a short time after this was originally posted--sorry!

What I loved about these is their no-damage install. If your fleet was looking for more than one set at a time I'm sure they'd offer a discount. Contact Slick Locks direct and avoid going through one of their dealers----they hooked me up when I mentioned my glass biz ownership.

Another great thing is they'd take way less than an hour each van---almost takes longer to read this thread then install them!

 

Thank you JWA! I'm planning to go through them directly.
I agree with one of the other guys saying they stand out (part of the visual deterrent) but in my case, I have a passenger conversion van and don't want to indicate that I have any valuables.
I'm thinking of just applying a grey primer on the spinner and lock and painting it white (the color of my van)
I think it will just look like a giant handicap push button for the doors!