I posted this on the Aftermarket board but no one responded so I'll check with you guys. A couple of us have had the misfortune of having our trk stolen. Can anyone offer any input on the product by Autolock, it's like a club only it locks under the brake or clutch pedal so that they can't be used.....or....a product by Autoprotect know as the Block which interrupts the ignition system......or....what do you guys recommend for theft protection?? Thx guys. At some point here hopefully I'll have suggestions as opposed to questions

 

I'm just on a roll today

Good luck... with anything. Do what you're comfortable with, the statistics can be read many different ways, but it boils down to one basic truth... if they want it they'll take it.

That said, it's the spontaneous car thief that you should concentrate on. If they are casing it, kiss it good bye. Make sure your insurance is paid. A friend of mine in NJ had his Porsche TT stolen, flatbedded from a secured parking deck. He had an extra alarm, the club thingy, a Locjack and all his windows etched and a video tape of the guys leaving with it... the car's never been found.

So, all you can do is:
A. Make it a more difficult target than the poor saps vehicle sitting next to yours
B. Make it as financially impractical as possible to steal and resale your vehicle or it's parts.
C. Deter them after they get in...

A. Noise makers, clubs, lojacks, decals that say you got something you may not have, a flashing LED... any and everything on that level basically says "If your trying to steal me, the guy next to me might be an easier target"

Now, noise makers are for YOU, not for passers by but YOU. If YOU hear it you can go investigate, no one else will give a rip.

Case in point, a few months ago my alarm malfunctioned, started wailing and disabled the vehicle. I had the dash removed, hood up and was yanking, cutting and splicing wires like no tomorrow to bypass it. NO ONE EVEN SLOWED DOWN. I was in a fairly busy parking lot, in plain view. It took me 10 minutes as I am a crappy car thief, no police, no nothing. The only way I could have looked more like I was stealing it would have been to wear a black and white jump suit.

B. Engrave all the windows with the VIN. Now, if they want to sell it intact it will need new windows. Engrave the VIN on the chassis in several locations, xfer case, transmission etc... and let them know it with decals.

C. Everyone makes noise outside... but unless you have hearing protection it's tough to take a siren on the inside. Of course have a turn off switch in the glove box or somewhere so you can turn it off. But with a 110dB siren blaring in the cab, very few thief's are going to continue their efforts.

For the extreme case, maybe a little expensive too for false alarms, wire in a Halon auto discharge extinguisher under one of the seats. Give it about a 1 minute delay so you stand a chance of stopping a false, but then let her rip. It will leave no residue but really scare the ever loving baheebee jeebees out of someone. I saw this done on a Porsche race car. Guy said the police had picked it up about a 1/2 mile from his house 3 times already. Make sure you get the non-toxic stuff, read a boating supply catalog with safety stuff to get the details.


Hope that gives someone a few ideas and maybe saves a truck or two.

 

>I'm just on a roll today


Keep rollin'!! That's a great post! I like the Halon idea...it's better than my CS (tear) gas idea. A lot cleaner...

The siren IN the cab is another great idea that I've never heard of before.

 

>Keep rollin'!! That's a great post! I like the Halon
>idea...it's better than my CS (tear) gas idea. A lot
>cleaner...
>
>The siren IN the cab is another great idea that I've never
>heard of before.

With the Halon idea, the only draw back I can see would be having to clean the seat after that white smoke scared the $#!% out of the guy.

The siren in the cab has been around a while, I know a few truck drivers that have one so they are sure to wake up if someone tries to get in while they are sleeping. I don't know why more systems don't offer one, you could keep it at 100 dB and add a delayed start on it. Combine that with a the Halon and a strobe light!!!

Seriously, think through anything you might do like that, there is a fine legal line between a deterrent and an assault... unfortunately. I think if you're trying to commit an illegal act, whatever you get you had coming to you. Also, you have to think of falses with you in the vehicle, then again my wife already thinks I'm deaf... at least I'd have an excuse.

Robert

 

Excellent ideas Did you ever see the flame thrower in south africa?? Car jacking is serious over there and people have burners under rocker panels at the driver and passenger door. If some tries to to jack thier car they get barbecued
I agree that if they realy want it they'll get it. there is a story of a rare old car in Austrialia that was chained to a car trailer, two tires were removed from the trailer and the trailer chaide to the building it was stored in and some still managed to steal the whole works They dragged the trailer a couple miles from the building and then unloaded the car and disapeared (not sure how far youd get in Austrailia though)

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-May-02 AT 02:37 AM (EST)]there was a guy here in my home town kept getting his corvette stolen 3 times I think his insurance was about to canceal he decided get natures burglar alarm a 3ft Timber rattler and proceded to put the car in the parking lot to get stolen well the would be theif come to get the car and stanley as the snake was affectionally known proceded to take care of in short order the problem when it was said and done Stanley bit the would be car theif on the A@# 2times before he could get away and the good thing about it he did not get far and this alarm system only cost a very little just a thought if you want to get even.

 

I added the cluch kill switch,If you have an auto you can wire a switch to make the computer think that the clutch is not pushed in and it wont start.
I also added the brake kill switch,with an auto you must press the brake to move the gear lever this switch lets you control that.Off truck works as planed. On truck wont go out of park.I also use it if I want to let truck run with no one in it.Wont go out of park till I hit the switch.Lets me cool truck down during Hot summers here in FLA.
Thats just Two things that I added to to the list to slow down the bad guys.If they want it its theirs
Twinbulls

 

I have seen the "Auto-Lock" at K-Mart. You better pick one up before they go chapter-7. Or you could wire a "Kill-Switch" into the trucks wiring. Hide the switch in an obscure location and their you have in, a poor mans anti-theft device.. Jeff...OUT

 

You can always do what my father does and buy the bumper stick that says Warning This car is protected by Smith and westin. Or the way my father see it if they wanna steal it they can have it as long as they destroy it . So he can buy a new one He may not be the brightest man in the world but he has fun in doing the weird stuff he does...... He only lets me drive his truck if i have a HOTT date

 

I would like to know more about the park lever / brake pedal switch. Does anyone have a schematic on it?


God and Soldiers All Men Adore
In Time of Trouble and No More
When War is Over and Wrongs Righted
God is Forgotten and The Soldier Slighted

 

Big Green 99 f-250 4x4, 5.4l, 4.10ls, K&N, Gibson Cat Back, Custom Bumper Guard

Ufda, you gotta be from SD or minn. I am from there also. I live in NJ now but trying to secure a job in sioux falls again. Just don't tell me you eat lutafisk.

Yah you bethca dontcha know!

Tuna

 

All you guys have to do is buy a Viper alarm that automatically cuts off the electrical system (Igintion kill) when someone breaks in and tries to steal yout truck the $400 or so is well worth it!

 

Well, actually I am from Ohio, currently live in Alabama, but my in-laws lived in MN for about 27 years after he retired from the Ohio State Patrol.

Na, don't eat none of that there luteyfisk, prefer to have cassoroles instead of hotdish too!!

But, I do enjoy the fishin up there!!

God and Soldiers All Men Adore
In Time of Trouble and No More
When War is Over and Wrongs Righted
God is Forgotten and The Soldier Slighted

 

IMHO, I would be very hesitant to find fault with any of the above mentioned precautionary devices. Remember, you have an inalienable right to protect your property.

That being said, I would remind you, (and I've actually witnessed this) that if you injure/kill the person stealing your vehicle, you will get sued by them/ their estate. Its just a fact! Whether they win or not, has alot to do with how far your insurance company will back you.

In our law suit crazy world, even in my job, if I have to use force or threat of force, I can expect to get sued.. it doesnt always happen but it can so prepare for it.

BTW, I really like the fire extinguisher idea. My, unofficial advice on the CS gas method is to use OC (pepper mace- 10% or more) instead... Its some real nasty.... stuff

Just my opinion

slammer

 

Not trying to put a damper on the "great ways to torture crooks" theme, but if you set up a device to hurt someone who is stealing (or just entering) your rig you will have a losing battle in court... even if it is protecting your rig while parked on you property. The lawyers will ask the question of "what if a small child had wandered into your rig and mistakenly set the device off?".

During the concealed carry course here in Alaska, the instructor made sure to let us know that using deadly force (even pointing a gun) to stop a car thief could put you on the losing side of the court case. Unless he is threatening you or someone nearby with bodily injury, the act of stealing your rig by itself doesn't justify your use of deadly force. Now if he points a gun, knife, crow bar, etc, I'm going to drop him like a bad transmission!

Each state will be different. I think you can shoot carjackers in Louisiana and in Texas the "he just needed killin'" clause still works...

I'm no lawyer, so check your laws before you set up the flamethrowing door panels.

Edmo