Hello, I just got a 2000 E150 cargo van that has manual door locks. Since it is my work van, I will be storing all my tools in it. I want to install a security system with keyless entry and wire mesh to cover side and rear windows.

My first thought was to find a donor van in junk yard and strip the harness and door actuators from it and order a Viper system to complete the hook up. I could not found one Ford van with alarm system in it!

Which other vehicles should I look for to do this installation? I would like to keep it as simple as possible. Any suggestion and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Kin

 

If your time is more important than a few dollars I'd suggest a good quality aftermarket PDL kit. Swapping the factory set up requires not on the proper wiring harnesses but door panels, actuators etc etc etc. Having already done this---time wasn't an issue at all---the swap wasn't difficult but I owned the donor van which gave me amazing access to all factory parts.

RKE can be added with a good quality alarm system--I favor a Crime Guard 350i5 or its current day equivalent; cheap, well made and crazy reliable---I have several that have been running flawlessly close to 7 years or so.

To my mind this above is the most time and cost efficient.


HTH

 

Thank you for the quick reply.
With the PDL kit, do I still need some relays for the system?
I check the junk yard that usually pull parts from . They have a van coming out to the yard in a couple of days and the junk yard is having a 40% off on any parts this coming New Year Day. I plan to spend some time in junk yard to source the parts. My shopping list will be the following:

Driver door panel
4 actuators with respective door sensors (do E150 have door sensors?) and linkage
Wiring harness
Security system main box (Will the Crime Guard bypass the original system main box? If it is, do I still need the box from the donor vehicle?)
If I missed anything, please let me know.

Thanks again.

Kin

 

We're probably talking different terms here----the PDL system is nothing more than several door mounted switches, interconnecting wiring and as you mention the door lock solenoids or "motors" as they're generally called.

Using the donor van's inner door wiring harnesses you'd remove both sides all the way from the device connections inside the door through the boot bridging the door shell and body hinge side. This harness is connected to several matiing connectors which are wired into the whole van body wiring system.

Cutting the mating connectors off past the door wiring harness you can follow a wiring schematic to interconnect the two door switch sides---they must be connected following the schematic in order for the system to work properly. This is fairly easy, just takes several different wire colors if you like a quality job.

There are no relays etc needed for the PDL system and the lock solenoids fit every door latch Ford used during your year. Paying attention to how they are connected to the donor door latches should help you fitting them to your existing doors.

Not sure what you're asking about door sensors----no such thing unless your van has the lighted entry feature which has switches built into the outside door handles. If not don't worry about that.

As for a security system main box----again not sure what you're referring to? If you van has the factory RKE or "remote keyless entry" feature then that module is on the inside left side wall just behind the driver's seat.

The Crime Guard aftermarket alarm is a stand alone unit that can be configured to accommodate the PDL system when the alarm is armed or disarmed. They do include mostly clear directions and parts to do a complete installation of nearly all optional features offered with the model I cited.

 

Thanks again.

I appreciate your detailed explanation.

My van is a bare stock. It does not come with keyless entry or any power door locks. The box I refer to controls the alarm system and locks. I will try to get the whole set up so I don't miss anything. Is there a specific year/s of Ford van that I should look for parts? Will other non Ford van works?



Thanks again and Merry Christmas!!!

 

There is no such device or control that was OEM stock or Ford supplied. Research the Crime Guard family of alarms, download their installation procedures to see how they interface with any PDL system whether its added on stock components or aftermarket



Same to you Sir---and to all of us here on FTE!

 

Thanks,

I check the junk yard out for door lock modules. If it is too complicated, I'll just get the Crime Guard and PDL.

Thank you for all your help again.

 

Hello JWA,


Is this the Crime Guard 350i5 you mentioned?



Kin

 

2-way paging is really nice because it alerts you if someone or something triggers the alarm so you can catch them in the act, they're more expensive than a 1-way system but worth the expense in my opinion.
Clifford 5806X 2-Way Paging Car Alarm Vehicle Security and Remote

Screens won't keep people out of your van but a pain generator will,,
Directed 513T (dei-513t) Mini Piezo Siren - Sonic Electronix

 

Yes it is!

For me those have been super simple installation and programming. The price is good, I've found them for $35 new never used on FleaBay so pick yer poison!

Gman is right about the paging alarms but to me that's just one more hi-tec POS that can and will foul up at some point. Being honest the pain generator will not deter someone hell bent to get inside your van. Fact is most break ins and thefts are of stuff in the front seats where breaking a window, reaching in and grabbing something the pawn shops will buy. Crooks almost never open the doors these days because that will set the alarm off, most alarms have the glass breakage detectors disabled. (They're not reliable, things like thunderstorms can/do set them off.)

I like the idea of a super loud siren though--mounted under the hood. The sirens that come with the Crime Guard 350 are okay but something louder would be a nice addition.

HTH

 

the biggest issue i have is with the remotes, the ones with LCD displays are pure junk and wear out the battery in no time flat, the screen is also easily damaged making it unreadable.

All these alarms have remotes with buttons only or buttons and LED's only, choose one with 2 remotes that fits your budget..

buttons only with LED..
(100 Items) All Car Alarms Car Alarm: Yes, Main Transmitter Type: Button(s)-only with LED Lights at Sonic Electronix

buttons only..
(100 Items) All Car Alarms Car Alarm: Yes, Main Transmitter Type: Button(s)-only at Sonic Electronix

 

DEI is king of the hill in car alarms and carries several brands including clifford python viper avital and others, the nice thing about buying a system from DEI is that you can special order a replacement remote is yours are lost or stolen or damaged, if you choose an alarm that doesn't have replacement remotes and yours get damaged or thrown in the washing machine like mine then you have to replace the entire alarm system, that's why i recommend dealing with DEI..

Directed - Our Brands

 

I am going to install 4 aftermarket PDLs too.

Will the PDLs require special relays or hook up to the alarm system?
Do I need one of the PDL be master and the other 3 as slaves or it does not matter?

Thanks.


Kin

 

While we can banter and bicker about which brand is "better" the first thing to consider is the OP's experience with installing such things. Without offense OP is somewhat new which to me means less complicated is the better route to go.

Yes remotes with LCD etc can be fraught with problems whereas the less complicated don't suffer from that same thing due mostly in part to unnecessary complexity.

As far as dealing with remotes caught in a washing machine----if they're attached to a vehicle's key ring that possibility is greatly reduced. I've found money etc in the washer or dryer but to date never car keys on a ring or fob.

Kincfu I'm not sure what your experience or tool level or choice of alarm and PDL system so its a bit tough for me to give you a how-to on this. Typically you'll want to buy your system or parts checking along the way to be sure two or more are compatible.

I've installed factory PDL's on a van not originally equipped with them but had to follow the factory wiring diagrams for them to work properly. Only then was I able to install and integrate the Crimeguard alarm and PDL lock/unlock into that van.

I used a common to me set of tools and electrical connectors most people don't have and in my experience this part of your anticipated job is where most have problems. Add in little or no experience with trouble shooting raises the anxiety level for someone not familiar with such things.

Most better aftermarket systems such as you want tend to come with fairly clear instructions so that might make this easier to accomplish.

Not trying to discourage you, rather just preparing you for what might lie ahead.

 

Thanks JWA.

I believe I am going with CrimeGuard mentioned above. I have experience in replacing clutch fan with electric fan on a Grand Cherokee; did the big 3 upgrade on all my vehicles; installed car stereo and back up camera --- but no experience with alarm system. I can read schematic up to a certain point.

I rather be safe than sorry, that's why I always ask a lot of question before I proceed.



I plan to pair the Crime Guard with either one of these PDL. Anything else I need to get (such as relays) with these set ups?

Thanks

Kin