Anti-theft
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 710
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Good idea! The trick is to make them think there is something wrong with the truck. If there's no power right off the bat, they're going to start looking for a kill or battery switch. If it tries to start, but wont, they'll give up faster because they've wasted time trying to start it. The fuel toggle switch is great too.
I always wonder how much extra wear that puts on the engine, cranking and cranking without starting. Doesn't that basically create raw main bearing to journal contact when an engine is just cranking?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 5
From: Burlington, WI
The issue is, is that it doesn't matter what you do, if they want it they will get it.
Kill switch? Real ghetto members would just hotwire.
Stick shift? Get some additional thugs and push it.
Take steering wheel off? Vice grips instead.
Store it in a trailer? They take the trailer too.
It's a horse a piece. Doesn't help that the "thugs" are getting more brave and stealing stuff in broad day light.
Perhaps leave a hungry doberman in the cab/bed? They can't steal it if they're dead or suddenly amputated...
Sucks that this is what the world has come to.
Kill switch? Real ghetto members would just hotwire.
Stick shift? Get some additional thugs and push it.
Take steering wheel off? Vice grips instead.
Store it in a trailer? They take the trailer too.
It's a horse a piece. Doesn't help that the "thugs" are getting more brave and stealing stuff in broad day light.
Perhaps leave a hungry doberman in the cab/bed? They can't steal it if they're dead or suddenly amputated...
Sucks that this is what the world has come to.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,773
Likes: 2,590
From: The Shenandoah Valley
You may not see it on a factory gage. I notice that mine has oil press, mechanical gage, before she fires off even .
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 854
Likes: 7
Great story: Hired a hot shot millennial to help around the shop. Kid knows EVERYTHING!. Can't give him a word of advice.
2nd day on the job, my buddy throws him the keys to the shop truck, a 66 F100 with 3 on the tree.
.....45 minutes later, we look outside and he's still in the truck with a horrified, confused look in his face, pulling the lever up and down! 😂😂😂
2nd day on the job, my buddy throws him the keys to the shop truck, a 66 F100 with 3 on the tree.
.....45 minutes later, we look outside and he's still in the truck with a horrified, confused look in his face, pulling the lever up and down! 😂😂😂
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 757
Likes: 43
From: Cheyenne, Wy
Tapped into ignition wire running thru seat belt. Have to have seat belt done up to start. No thief is going to put their belt on before steeling. At least most won't.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
Alarm with blinking light. Kill switch. Club on steering wheel. Shift lever padlocked to the dash in first gear. Manual choke. Maybe it's overkill, but I think we're #1 or #2 in vehicle thefts nationally.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
If a "pro" wants your vehicle, it's just a matter of time before he gets it even if he has to winch it up on a car carrier. BUT you will likely be able to deter one of those low life scum juveniles. Just put a lot of obstacles in his way, and he'll likely go elsewhere.
Here's what I use:
Always park in a locked garage at home and avoid "questionable" areas when out.
A chain covered with a bicycle tube, secured to the truck and padlocked to the steering wheel.
A manually operated choke. For the young felons, this is similar to trying to operate a clutch and manual transmission.
Two kill switches (one breaks the "hot" for the ignition; the other grounds it) "hidden" in plain sight among my other displayed toggle switches.
If I must park in a questionable area, then I'll employ the distributor rotor removal, fake coil wire, and battery switch methods.
Here's what I use:
Always park in a locked garage at home and avoid "questionable" areas when out.
A chain covered with a bicycle tube, secured to the truck and padlocked to the steering wheel.
A manually operated choke. For the young felons, this is similar to trying to operate a clutch and manual transmission.
Two kill switches (one breaks the "hot" for the ignition; the other grounds it) "hidden" in plain sight among my other displayed toggle switches.
If I must park in a questionable area, then I'll employ the distributor rotor removal, fake coil wire, and battery switch methods.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 78
From: NE Texas
I read in the WSJ about 20 years ago that the owner of (I believe it was) LoJack had a high end plastic pig, maybe a ZR1, chained fore and aft between trees in his front yard - came out one day to intact chains and locks, high dollar alarm intact and activated, car still between trees - turned 180 degrees, just to show 'if we want it, we can have it'. He decided the only way to keep the vehicle was to get it back before it got chopped, and started a company which would help do just that. If they really want it ... well, there's always a tow truck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
The issue is, is that it doesn't matter what you do, if they want it they will get it.
Kill switch? Real ghetto members would just hotwire.
Stick shift? Get some additional thugs and push it.
Take steering wheel off? Vice grips instead.
Store it in a trailer? They take the trailer too.
It's a horse a piece. Doesn't help that the "thugs" are getting more brave and stealing stuff in broad day light.
Perhaps leave a hungry doberman in the cab/bed? They can't steal it if they're dead or suddenly amputated...
Sucks that this is what the world has come to.
Kill switch? Real ghetto members would just hotwire.
Stick shift? Get some additional thugs and push it.
Take steering wheel off? Vice grips instead.
Store it in a trailer? They take the trailer too.
It's a horse a piece. Doesn't help that the "thugs" are getting more brave and stealing stuff in broad day light.
Perhaps leave a hungry doberman in the cab/bed? They can't steal it if they're dead or suddenly amputated...
Sucks that this is what the world has come to.
Question for everyone... if the ICM is cut from the system, can you still hot-wire the truck?
My gut tells me no, but I'm no wiring genius. Could you still "force" the truck to start without a brain?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
No they can not. Unless they are going to hot wire the ICM which is beyond the capabilities of 99.9% of thieves. And they need to figure out that is actually the problem. By interrupting the run feed as soon as the starter is released the ignition cuts out it behaves exactly like a vehicle with a hard start isssue.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
No they can not. Unless they are going to hot wire the ICM which is beyond the capabilities of 99.9% of thieves. And they need to figure out that is actually the problem. By interrupting the run feed as soon as the starter is released the ignition cuts out it behaves exactly like a vehicle with a hard start isssue.
I can't really think of any, but I'm curious to know opinions on this. If so, why wouldn't people cut the ignition at the ICM box instead of at the coil? The coil is always the most obvious place for people to cut the power and usually the first place a theft would look because its so common to do so with a kill switch.