Anti-theft modifications
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Anti-theft modifications
In response to the current "Stolen Truck" thread:
What are some good ideas for anti-theft modifications? I don't mean commercial alarms - useless.
For example, I lived overseas for a while. Where I was, it was not uncommon for people to have an ignition kill switch that was controlled by a microchip. The chip was connected to a number of sensors placed on ordinary items like the fan switch or the headlight switch. You had to turn on/off a few things in the correct sequence to activate the ignition circuits.
I'm particularly interested as these older trucks, like my '79, are notoriously easy to break into and steal.
What are some good ideas for anti-theft modifications? I don't mean commercial alarms - useless.
For example, I lived overseas for a while. Where I was, it was not uncommon for people to have an ignition kill switch that was controlled by a microchip. The chip was connected to a number of sensors placed on ordinary items like the fan switch or the headlight switch. You had to turn on/off a few things in the correct sequence to activate the ignition circuits.
I'm particularly interested as these older trucks, like my '79, are notoriously easy to break into and steal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 2
From: spartanburg, SC
on-off-on switch, extra coil, coil wire with stripped end, you do the math.
on-off switch, electric solenoid, and pepper spray. you'll only forget once.
you can use a keyless entry system to arm/disarm the system. use a GM power lock solenoid to throw a switch, but don't use the door lock switch for that solenoid.
electric fuel pump with on-off switch, they won't get far.
this can help get it back if it does get stolen.
http://earthtrak.com/
on-off switch, electric solenoid, and pepper spray. you'll only forget once.
you can use a keyless entry system to arm/disarm the system. use a GM power lock solenoid to throw a switch, but don't use the door lock switch for that solenoid.
electric fuel pump with on-off switch, they won't get far.
this can help get it back if it does get stolen.
http://earthtrak.com/
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
www.brakelock.com
Chain the hood down. Install an alarm from www.autoloc.com. A real "club" on your 1/4" steel frame steering wheel.
Chain the hood down. Install an alarm from www.autoloc.com. A real "club" on your 1/4" steel frame steering wheel.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Previous owner(or maybe factory) wired in a simple loop plug into my truck. Right under the dash. It has a white Molex type connector, that when removed, disables the starter. I am guessing it is hooked to the ignition switch. I can always unplug the plug and take it with me. Then the mate under the dash just looks like a loose plug end, pretty innocent.
Alternatively, I discovered by accident that if you remove the plug on the back of the tank swapping switch(If your truck has duals), you can crank til the cows come home, but the fuel pumps ain't gonna work. It would be a very simple mod to add a cutoff switch to that. If I were to guess, I would estimate maybe 2 minutes to do a sloppy job installing a switch to that, maybe half an hour to do it nice and neat and hidden.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Alternatively, I discovered by accident that if you remove the plug on the back of the tank swapping switch(If your truck has duals), you can crank til the cows come home, but the fuel pumps ain't gonna work. It would be a very simple mod to add a cutoff switch to that. If I were to guess, I would estimate maybe 2 minutes to do a sloppy job installing a switch to that, maybe half an hour to do it nice and neat and hidden.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 35
From: Orange County, CA
Got an electric aftermarket fuel pump? Run an on-off switch to a location hidden in the cab, when you park, flip the switch off. A crook can't get very far on the few drops of gas left in the fuel lines, it stops, they aren't going to mess with it and will probably walk away. best thing, if they are caught, since they drove the vehicle, they may get charged with grand theft auto instead of attempt. Just remember to turn the switch back on before you try to drive it...I forgot to do that once 
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,513
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From: La Tech University, La
if you really want to remove the rotor when you park the truck for a few hours. they are not goin ANYWHERE without a rotor in there., or get a lead pencil and place marks on the inside of an extra distributer cap. when you park it, change caps....it will misfire so much it wont crank over either.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,586
Likes: 3,122
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
Put a locking fuel line switch in between two long sections of steel fuel line and the only rubber lines are at the engine and tank. Most crooks don't carry long rubber fuel lines! If the switch is mounted under the cab and through the floow you can put a steel box around it with locking nuts on security screws. That will slow them down.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 389
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From: Charleston, SC
It won't help somebody from taking the whole thing, but someone I knew mounted razor blades and fish hooks behind his expensive aftermarket stereo. I don't know if he could get in trouble from someone breaking in and trying to steal the radio and getting cut though.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Apex, N.C.
On my '01 EX -7.3 I cut one of the wires under the motor going to the CPS and ran a loop to the rear ashtray in the console, easy to get to and the guy I sold it to thought it was a neat idea.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
My cousin is a mechanic and he wired a kill switch in his truck. He wired it to a factor switch that wasn't used on his truck (I think it might have been the foglights or something that was part of a dual function switch). Everything appears to be stock on his truck and if anyone ever tried to steal it they would be very frustrated.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 938
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From: North Carolina
If im in a high crime area I always take out the rotor and put it in my pocket. If im on an overnight trip I have an old infntion wire that I cut the metal conducor things off on the end and it is useless for anything but theft prevention. Cause the wire looks normal they would have to examine it to find out whats going on, so the fake igntion wire and remove the rotor are my security devices.