Best way to theft proof?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Best way to theft proof?
Looking for some ideas on the best way to theft proof my 78 F250. It's been stolen once and they caught it crossing the border when the passenger took off running, another time I found it at the end of the street because they couldn't find the electric fuel pump switch after the carb ran out of fuel. Another time they broke the grill insert out trying to open the hood. So far I have been successful, but am looking for some creative ideas.......
The ways I know of are fuel pump switch, the club, ignition coil ground and battery kill switch. Any other ideas and maybe how to camoflauge the previous common ways?
The ways I know of are fuel pump switch, the club, ignition coil ground and battery kill switch. Any other ideas and maybe how to camoflauge the previous common ways?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 479
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From: Sonoma, CA
A hidden or locking battery switch is a good way to handle it but won't stop vandalism or attempted thefts. I have installed flashing red LED's in the dash with good results. No alarm but it looks like one and it only cmes on with the ignition off. Just a thought.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Stop by a electronics installation shop and ask for a couple of Alarm stickers and put them on the vent window.
Get yourself a locking hood system.
They have come out with a customer owned "Wheel Boot" that you can buy.
It's Just like the ones the police use when they have arrested a drunk and they need to keep the vehicle from being moved..
Get yourself a locking hood system.
They have come out with a customer owned "Wheel Boot" that you can buy.
It's Just like the ones the police use when they have arrested a drunk and they need to keep the vehicle from being moved..
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: the side of a mountain
i just pull the coil wire and keep it locked in some place where they cant get to. i did that after i got a ride home from school one day and people pulled up behind my truck waved us around and then when i got out and went to the truck, they took off.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Put a hidden kill switch with wires which cut out the supply from the module to the pickup coil. The the switch is toggled it supplies the signal from the pickup coil and when the switch is toggled off it doesn't supply a signal.
Removing the coil wires helps, but the thief will pull off a spark plug wire and uses it as the coil wire, to get the engine started.
Removing the coil wires helps, but the thief will pull off a spark plug wire and uses it as the coil wire, to get the engine started.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
A kill switch, a fuel interupter, locking hood, locking steering wheel. locking gas caps. Locking spare tire, etc...
How I kept my 72 F-250 stationary when I was away was to lock the fuel selector switch underneath the seat to the "OFF" position. and put a kill switch in the automatic tranny Park, neutral and reverse switch. With it activated, the truck always thought it was in gear, therefore, wouldn't start.
Something simular perhaps...
I've heard of things like, 30V hooked to door handles. Just enough juice to wet their kecks. Not sure if I'd try that though... or how true it is even.
A good stratigicly placed dog works wonders too. Some dogs protect trucks with vicious agression.
hope this helps.
How I kept my 72 F-250 stationary when I was away was to lock the fuel selector switch underneath the seat to the "OFF" position. and put a kill switch in the automatic tranny Park, neutral and reverse switch. With it activated, the truck always thought it was in gear, therefore, wouldn't start.
Something simular perhaps...
I've heard of things like, 30V hooked to door handles. Just enough juice to wet their kecks. Not sure if I'd try that though... or how true it is even.
A good stratigicly placed dog works wonders too. Some dogs protect trucks with vicious agression.
hope this helps.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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He stated that he already knows about those, he was looking for other ideas.
I think he needs to have something to deter peiople from even thinking about stealing his truck since it seems to be like a magnet right now.
I think he needs to have something to deter peiople from even thinking about stealing his truck since it seems to be like a magnet right now.
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Freshman User
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I really like the neutral switch idea, I replaced that recently and it is not easy to get too. But if they jump the starter solenoid, it'll start!
As far as the theft deterrent, if they want the truck, they want the truck. If they have come to my house to get this truck, a blinking red light is not gonna stop'em - I'm guessing. I need to stump them on how to get it started. I park it right near my bedroom window because it doesn't fit in the garage.I am mainly worried about when I go out of town for days or weeks.
The main reason I am so interested in keeping *this* truck is because my grandfather "who is no longer around" bought this truck new, gave it to my father who has given it to me a few years back. So it has sentimental value, I'd rather not lose this one......
Thanks for all the input, I like where it's headed......
As far as the theft deterrent, if they want the truck, they want the truck. If they have come to my house to get this truck, a blinking red light is not gonna stop'em - I'm guessing. I need to stump them on how to get it started. I park it right near my bedroom window because it doesn't fit in the garage.I am mainly worried about when I go out of town for days or weeks.
The main reason I am so interested in keeping *this* truck is because my grandfather "who is no longer around" bought this truck new, gave it to my father who has given it to me a few years back. So it has sentimental value, I'd rather not lose this one......
Thanks for all the input, I like where it's headed......
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Northeast Nebraska
Where do you live that people keep trying to steal your truck? Id get one of those stickers that says protected by Smith & Wesson plus a couple NRA stickers, add a gun rack and hide in the bushes with a rifle and wait for them to try and take it. I have a security camera at my house in case someone decides to help themselve to my stuff.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45
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From: DFW, Texas
How about a simple idea of removing the battery from the truck when you are gone for periods of time. This combined with the other mentioned ideas, such as the kill switches, forces extra time. They may pop the hood and/or lock, see no battery...go get one...and then get stumped by the non startng procedure of the other devices. I have had several other vehicles stolen with alarms. I'd rather replace items from P.O.'d theives than a whole vehicle that the theif stole in 2 minutes because he could get through an alarm like zipping his fly.
Multiple layers forces time, and theives don't like messing with extra time.
Multiple layers forces time, and theives don't like messing with extra time.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Put a couple of hidden kill switches, if they find one, the other kill switch is still active.
When away on long trips, Removing the distributor rotor, and unpluging the harness at the distributor just enough to not make contact helps. Along with the hidden kill switches will have the thiefs puzzled for some time.
At radio and alarm install stores, they sell a alarm triggers which can make your horn honk when the hood or door is opened. This can help you let you know or neighbors know if some thief is messing with your ride. Just setup an high decibel horn and cage it up where they can disconnect it or get to the wires.
When away on long trips, Removing the distributor rotor, and unpluging the harness at the distributor just enough to not make contact helps. Along with the hidden kill switches will have the thiefs puzzled for some time.
At radio and alarm install stores, they sell a alarm triggers which can make your horn honk when the hood or door is opened. This can help you let you know or neighbors know if some thief is messing with your ride. Just setup an high decibel horn and cage it up where they can disconnect it or get to the wires.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Ringgold GA.
Along with the other ideas try: takeing your carb off, Remove the drive shaft between tranny and transfer case if 4wd, Take your starter off, any thing to effectively disable the truck while still being easy to put back in service because YOU have the parts, THEY wont. This also (as mentioned before) will present the would be theif with a truck that takes too long to steal. My favorite idea was the electric shock! Although I'm a power lineman, I'd have to use a few thousand volts!!!! 
NO pity for thievs.
NO pity for thievs.
Last edited by eveready77; Apr 18, 2006 at 05:49 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 597
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From: San Antonio, TX
How about some less time consuming methods for trucks that are driven more often?
I like the idea of putting a car alarm sticker on the vent windows, that along with the blinking red LED would help a bit.
I also saw in an LMC Truck catalog, the vent window locks.
I like the idea of putting a car alarm sticker on the vent windows, that along with the blinking red LED would help a bit.
I also saw in an LMC Truck catalog, the vent window locks.