Theft Prevention
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 452
Likes: 17
From: Corpus Christi TX
Well how about that?!? I didn't know there was a key in there. When I picked up my truck, I got zero instruction in how to use anything. Literally nothing. Not a big deal, I will discover all in time. Like yesterday, the power deployed steps quit working. I freaked out, went to dealership to see if they could show me why they were not working. Turns out there is a setting in a menu that can be accessed on the dash to turn those off or on or automatic. I don't think I turned them off, but in the settings they were in fact turned off. Turned them back to auto, now working perfect just like before. Been working 7-12s on turnaround and haven't had time to go thru the owners manual to learn all this stuff yet. I did take all the connectors on the stern of the truck apart and stuff with dielectric grease to keep water out so hopefully I will never see all the debilitating electrical gremlins pop up in the future.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
While it may seem overwhelming, at nearly 700 pages, it looks like nearly everything is in the manual. While "Guys don't read manuals", in this case it can be invaluable. You can also download a PDF copy of the manual directly from the Ford site. I'm still about 3 weeks away from picking up my rig and I downloaded a copy to both my phone and tablet. I have been reading it in my spare time. 5 minutes here or there will add up, in the long run. This is my first diesel truck, and I don’t want to screw up a $75,000 investment (and it will be nice to understand how to operate all of those bells and whistles that I paid so much for).
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 397
Likes: 7
From: SW Louisiana
You can also access the Owner's manual(s) online which make them far easier to navigate and read. I save it to my browser favorites.
The following (link) will take you to the 2019 Super Duty Trucks;
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...rket=USA&div=f
The following (link) will take you to the 2019 Super Duty Trucks;
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...rket=USA&div=f
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, NC
I read through the PDF manual a number of times while waiting for my truck to be built. I still only really know what I use. 700 pages is a LOT. But I did load the PDF onto my smartphone so I have a copy of it available with me whenever I need to look something up.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Houston
My truck was broken into via the lock cylinder in Houston. I opted for a passenger side front door handle to be painted and installed, eliminating the lock cylinder and lock rod.
I decided against the jimmi jammers, because the door skin will be damaged, and I have a zero dollar deductible.
I was lucky my alarm scared off my guy, so he didn't get my gun.
I decided against the jimmi jammers, because the door skin will be damaged, and I have a zero dollar deductible.
I was lucky my alarm scared off my guy, so he didn't get my gun.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 402
Likes: 26
From: Anywhere USA
My truck was broken into via the lock cylinder in Houston. I opted for a passenger side front door handle to be painted and installed, eliminating the lock cylinder and lock rod.
I decided against the jimmi jammers, because the door skin will be damaged, and I have a zero dollar deductible.
I was lucky my alarm scared off my guy, so he didn't get my gun.
I decided against the jimmi jammers, because the door skin will be damaged, and I have a zero dollar deductible.
I was lucky my alarm scared off my guy, so he didn't get my gun.
And I really don't want this to hijack into a gun/anti-gun debate. Years ago when I was younger tape decks and CB radios were the hot ticket item for thieves but they don't exist anymore.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 397
Likes: 7
From: SW Louisiana
My truck was broken into via the lock cylinder in Houston. I opted for a passenger side front door handle to be painted and installed, eliminating the lock cylinder and lock rod.
I decided against the jimmi jammers, because the door skin will be damaged, and I have a zero dollar deductible.
I was lucky my alarm scared off my guy, so he didn't get my gun.
I decided against the jimmi jammers, because the door skin will be damaged, and I have a zero dollar deductible.
I was lucky my alarm scared off my guy, so he didn't get my gun.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 174
Likes: 85
I'm licensed carry in Texas, as are many. The reason there are often guns left in trucks 'might' be people like me that follow the law. 
In the carry laws, certain businesses can restrict open or concealed carry on their premises. You also can't take them into schools, houses of worship, any business that earns 51% or more of their revenue from the sales of alcohol, and a few other places. So...if you're like me and happen to be in Dallas and go to a customer or partner building and they don't allow it, 'if' you follow the law, you have to leave it in the vehicle. I'm also sure some people just stash more than one, get lazy sometimes, etc., so clearly it's a thing. I hope that helps explain one plausible reason why there may be guns in trucks in Texas. I personally follow that law, but carry on my person when I can.
In the carry laws, certain businesses can restrict open or concealed carry on their premises. You also can't take them into schools, houses of worship, any business that earns 51% or more of their revenue from the sales of alcohol, and a few other places. So...if you're like me and happen to be in Dallas and go to a customer or partner building and they don't allow it, 'if' you follow the law, you have to leave it in the vehicle. I'm also sure some people just stash more than one, get lazy sometimes, etc., so clearly it's a thing. I hope that helps explain one plausible reason why there may be guns in trucks in Texas. I personally follow that law, but carry on my person when I can.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 4
Geez I am glad I dont live in texas... why is the theft problem so bad down there? I know people who have kept their keys in their vehicles for as long as they can remember, door unlocked and keys keys in the ignition. Most people I know around me do the same thing and I do not personally know a single person that has ever had a vehicle stolen... I didnt read the whole thread but I doubt it is the gun issue, we dont even need permits here and anyone can carry however they choose and lots of people do.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 174
Likes: 85
Geez I am glad I dont live in texas... why is the theft problem so bad down there? I probably shouldnt admit this on a public forum but I think my keys have been in my ignition for 8 years now... other then when I travel to major cities. Most people I know around me do the same thing and I do not personally know a single person that has ever had a vehicle stolen... I didnt read the whole thread but I doubt it is the gun issue, we dont even need permits here and anyone can carry however they choose and lots of people do.
The other short answer on regular break-ins: petty crooks are petty crooks
When I was kid and young man, living VERY close to the Mexican border, we never locked our doors...could leave keys in cars, etc. like you have now. That all changed in mid 90s. Glad you live in an area that still has that. Cool to hear it still exists.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Opportunistic thieves are looking for anything of value, cell phones, purse, wallet, guns. Basically anything they can grab and sell for money quickly.
The reason trucks are targeted is because for one, they are EVERYWHERE, and they are big (stand out). And they cost 50 to 90K. Someone that buys a truck that expensive is likely to have expensive things left inside. Once you identify a good way in to a particular truck, you can easily repeat the method on easy to find and spot vehicles.
I do not leave anything in my vehicle anymore of real value. My truck is not my daily driver. 98% of the time we are in town, the truck is at home in a good neighborhood. Unfortunately that day I drove it to work (bad part of town) because I needed to pick up some supplies on the way home.
My point is nobody staked out my truck for weeks, it was in the parking lot for <3 hours before it was hit, along a busy roadway.
The reason trucks are targeted is because for one, they are EVERYWHERE, and they are big (stand out). And they cost 50 to 90K. Someone that buys a truck that expensive is likely to have expensive things left inside. Once you identify a good way in to a particular truck, you can easily repeat the method on easy to find and spot vehicles.
I do not leave anything in my vehicle anymore of real value. My truck is not my daily driver. 98% of the time we are in town, the truck is at home in a good neighborhood. Unfortunately that day I drove it to work (bad part of town) because I needed to pick up some supplies on the way home.
My point is nobody staked out my truck for weeks, it was in the parking lot for <3 hours before it was hit, along a busy roadway.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Houston
If you remove the lock cylinder and lock rods like I had done, what good are the jimi jammers?
The only way in at that point without breaking glass is using a screwdriver and mangling the door handle so badly that the whole handle comes out.
The only way in at that point without breaking glass is using a screwdriver and mangling the door handle so badly that the whole handle comes out.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Geez I am glad I dont live in texas... why is the theft problem so bad down there? I know people who have kept their keys in their vehicles for as long as they can remember, door unlocked and keys keys in the ignition. Most people I know around me do the same thing and I do not personally know a single person that has ever had a vehicle stolen... I didnt read the whole thread but I doubt it is the gun issue, we dont even need permits here and anyone can carry however they choose and lots of people do.
We went out to the country last year to visit friends and went to the local restaurant. Close to half the vehicles in the parking lot had windows down, I didn't look for keys in the ignition however.