[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Aug-02 AT 02:24 PM (EST)] I have a 71 f250 that I'm putting some money into it and a number of people I've talked to say that I need to install some means to prevent the easy theft of these types of trucks. With no wing locks and the ignition easially accessable, I agree.
Would any of you have a few good solid ideas on this subject? I'd hate to walk out and find an empty parking spot. Thanks Albert


Just found some good ideas in past postings(learning).......skip any replys to my question. Thanks

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Aug-02 AT 02:23 PM (EST)]The easiest and cheapest way is to add a "kill switch" to the wire from the ignition switch to the coil. When the switch is OFF the coil will never get juice and the truck will never turn on, just make sure that you hide the switch. Simple and it works, I done it before. Hope this helps.


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Another good kill switch idea is to put an electric fuel pump on your truck and disconect power to it with a kill switch. A theif would jump the ignition but wouldn't always expect an electric fuel pump on the older vehicles. Just an idea.

 

I have a keyed switch in the door frame near the hinges which disables the wire to the *S* terminal on the starter solenoid.I also have a Locking Hood release inside truck.
This way there is NO POWER going anywhere.



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It is way to easy to bypass the ignition on these trucks Once the hood is open you can have these trucks started with a couple of jumper wires in less than a minute. Best bet is a locking hood, 2nd best would be that electric fuel pump idea, IMHO.

Sparky

ps
I just park my truck in the yard next to the big dog

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Aug-02 AT 02:20 AM (EST)]Sparky is right I drove my truck for 2 days with a jumper wire from pos of Batt to hot side of coil and use a screw driver to jump silinoid (sp?). Definitly need to look into hood locks or electric pump. or both. Also a Protected by Smith & Wesson sticker couldn't hurt. LOL


Scotty

 

Thanks for all the ideas. I think the hood lock, fuel cutoff and a club are all my best bet used together. Too many of these trucks are stolen down here in the san diego area.

 

I am putting in a four wheel brake lock from

www.brakelock.com. Almost impossible to pick and the only way to deactivate it is by destroying the brake system.

I also run a hood lock with 3/8 chain to an outdoor Masterlock secured through a big U-bolt behind the grill. This system is very hard to cut even with bolt cutters and you have to smash out the grill to get to it. In the cab hood locks are very easy to defeat. Basically people just pry the lock right off the dashboard and yank it hard to pop the hood. If you have a metal dash, grade 5+ 1/4 inch cap bolts, with an 1/8 inch backer plate, make it a lot tougher.

I secure the truck with a good alarm from www.autoloc.com that has a glass breakage switch and an ignition kill switch/relay, amoung other features. For the alarm wires running into the cab from the starter relay, first run them through copper/conduit and put that into heater hose. Almost impossible to cut and most people would not cut heater hose if it looks like it is going to the heater core. It is fairly easy to pull back the inner fender to get at the wires and starter relay. There are things you can do to discourage that, though they might not be exactly legal and would leave a trail to follow, if you get my drift.

 

The other approach is to insure it well, leave it unlocked with the windows down and a key in the ignition and hope they don't tear it up :-) My frustration with theft in the past has always been that they tore it up trying to get away with it.

 

If it's gonna sit anywhere overnight or in a vulnerable spot (e.g. airport parking lot) just pull the rotor out. Most thieves don't carry a rotor around with them...OK if they're looking for a specific vehicle they MIGHT..but odds are when it won't start they'll move on to someone else's truck that will.

Just try to remember that the rotor is in your pocket when it won't start....not that I'VE ever done that.