Kill Switch Ideas
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
I can tell that no matter what I say you won’t be convinced. But just for the sake of it:
1. It would take the installer the same amount of time to defeat it as to install it. So, he’d have to flatbed it to a garage - and that anyone could do, and given enough time, defeat the system. That said, the installer doesn’t get the key. There are thousands of unique versions. The company will only provide keys directly to the owner and the process is a huge PITA that requires photo ID and the associated physical mailing address of the ORIGINAL registered owner and a check with their name etc. That said, I think it’s a pretty remote (and ridiculous) concern that a Ravelco installer will start stealing vehicles. I think I like my odds.
2. Viper restores remote iPhone lock unlock, GPS real-time location, geofencing alerts, CEL alerts etc, and the nice feature of a siren with a battery backup in case anyone breaks in (Ravelco would keep them from driving off). Different functions. Nothing to do with confidence in one or the other.
If it’s not for you - cool. I just scratch my head at why you’re so negative regarding a perfectly reasonable option - choices in the market are a good thing.
1. It would take the installer the same amount of time to defeat it as to install it. So, he’d have to flatbed it to a garage - and that anyone could do, and given enough time, defeat the system. That said, the installer doesn’t get the key. There are thousands of unique versions. The company will only provide keys directly to the owner and the process is a huge PITA that requires photo ID and the associated physical mailing address of the ORIGINAL registered owner and a check with their name etc. That said, I think it’s a pretty remote (and ridiculous) concern that a Ravelco installer will start stealing vehicles. I think I like my odds.
2. Viper restores remote iPhone lock unlock, GPS real-time location, geofencing alerts, CEL alerts etc, and the nice feature of a siren with a battery backup in case anyone breaks in (Ravelco would keep them from driving off). Different functions. Nothing to do with confidence in one or the other.
If it’s not for you - cool. I just scratch my head at why you’re so negative regarding a perfectly reasonable option - choices in the market are a good thing.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 726
Likes: 80
I can tell that no matter what I say you won’t be convinced. But just for the sake of it:
1. It would take the installer the same amount of time to defeat it as to install it. So, he’d have to flatbed it to a garage - and that anyone could do, and given enough time, defeat the system. That said, the installer doesn’t get the key. There are thousands of unique versions. The company will only provide keys directly to the owner and the process is a huge PITA that requires photo ID and the associated physical mailing address of the ORIGINAL registered owner and a check with their name etc. That said, I think it’s a pretty remote (and ridiculous) concern that a Ravelco installer will start stealing vehicles. I think I like my odds.
2. Viper restores remote iPhone lock unlock, GPS real-time location, geofencing alerts, CEL alerts etc, and the nice feature of a siren with a battery backup in case anyone breaks in (Ravelco would keep them from driving off). Different functions. Nothing to do with confidence in one or the other.
If it’s not for you - cool. I just scratch my head at why you’re so negative regarding a perfectly reasonable option - choices in the market are a good thing.
1. It would take the installer the same amount of time to defeat it as to install it. So, he’d have to flatbed it to a garage - and that anyone could do, and given enough time, defeat the system. That said, the installer doesn’t get the key. There are thousands of unique versions. The company will only provide keys directly to the owner and the process is a huge PITA that requires photo ID and the associated physical mailing address of the ORIGINAL registered owner and a check with their name etc. That said, I think it’s a pretty remote (and ridiculous) concern that a Ravelco installer will start stealing vehicles. I think I like my odds.
2. Viper restores remote iPhone lock unlock, GPS real-time location, geofencing alerts, CEL alerts etc, and the nice feature of a siren with a battery backup in case anyone breaks in (Ravelco would keep them from driving off). Different functions. Nothing to do with confidence in one or the other.
If it’s not for you - cool. I just scratch my head at why you’re so negative regarding a perfectly reasonable option - choices in the market are a good thing.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 397
Likes: 7
From: SW Louisiana
- The Viper + Smart Start is more of an intrusion alert system and is software based - a determined and knowledgeable hacker can override it just as they can with similar OEM electronic/software platform devices,
- The Ravelco is hardwired at multiple points and cannot be overridden (no software).
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 1,359
From: NY/Canada border
Nothing. But here again we get into a continuous "what if" scenario. You can do that for any device made for any application. Really serves no purpose in the end because there's a way to defeat most anything.
New User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Had a simple but effective on my 99 7.3. Interrupted the brake pedal switch under the dash. (Automatic transmission)
Could start the truck but if the switch was on, no way your getting into gear.
Thinking maybe I can do the same on my 6.7???
Could start the truck but if the switch was on, no way your getting into gear.
Thinking maybe I can do the same on my 6.7???
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
I have a Ravelco. The fob attachment is tastefully hidden out of sight so it would be hard to imagine anyone complaining about the aesthetics.
Quality installation is mandatory. My installer took about 4 hours to do it with meticulous work. I doubt the folks at my Ford service department would be able to tell with a careful look under the hood. And the same guys who installed it could take it down if I ever wanted that (I won’t). If I were to ever sell it I’m sure the buyer would appreciate it. I have a lot of aftermarket stuff on the ride, so this was a no brainer. I also have Viper + SmartStart ever since Ford d/c SmartLink. Nice battery-backup Bluetooth siren as a backup to the factory horn alarm. If I only could have one - Ravelco.
Performance has been flawless. I love the peace of mind. I doubt you could get this type of installation quality with a homemade kill switch of any kind.
Quality installation is mandatory. My installer took about 4 hours to do it with meticulous work. I doubt the folks at my Ford service department would be able to tell with a careful look under the hood. And the same guys who installed it could take it down if I ever wanted that (I won’t). If I were to ever sell it I’m sure the buyer would appreciate it. I have a lot of aftermarket stuff on the ride, so this was a no brainer. I also have Viper + SmartStart ever since Ford d/c SmartLink. Nice battery-backup Bluetooth siren as a backup to the factory horn alarm. If I only could have one - Ravelco.
Performance has been flawless. I love the peace of mind. I doubt you could get this type of installation quality with a homemade kill switch of any kind.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
I appreciate your concern. Back to the OP and the the main topic: I think it is pretty reasonable to expect that a professionally installed system that has been used for years as a kill switch is a lot less likely to have any issues vs a homemade solution, hence my recommendation. I have had Ravelco in various vehicles over 20 years without any issue. I think your concerns, though hypothetically possible, are fairly irrelevant if the OP already wants to install a kill switch. The OP is weighing value vs cost. That is a legit consideration. I went Ravelco (higher cost) because I’m not comfortable doing it myself, and I’m much much more confident in a proven product to virtually eliminate the concerns you suggest.
The main problem I see with this is if you ever have a problem with a no start concern you could be in for some hefty diagnosis charges. Regardless of the quality of the product, things fail sometimes. If you take it to Ford and their technician spends an hour or so tracing the problem to the Ravelco product warranty will not cover that. You also run the risk of Ford and Ravelco pointing the finger at each other claiming their product isn't the cause of failure. With all the mods you have there is a good chance you will run into a warranty problem should you have any type electronic failure, if your vehicle is still under warranty that is.
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