if you get the boot, make sure they you also get some locking lugnuts for at least that wheel, if you don't already have them... a security system is only as strong as its weakest link

So far, i have had 2 'attempted breakins/miscreants messing around' with my 2000 X. I live in the DFW area, and my car gets parked outside all night in an alley. The first time was just a broken driver window... didnt steal anything, not even my CB. The second time was just like someone used a screwdriver to try to pry off the passenger outside door handle... Didn't get in the truck, but it left a nice little dent

Isaac

 

I apologize if I mislead you. No, I can't group 'em like that with a handgun. But it's a piece of cake with a Springfield M1A Super Match. When bought new, that rifle put its first 25 rounds fired in a 2-1/2" group at 100 yards ... using Hornady match ammo and no scope. I'm working up my own load for better results. At close range, I like my Winchester lever action in .44Mag ... again, no scope.

I've had coworkers in the office bug me about going to play golf. I tell 'em I like to hit a golf ball ... FROM 100 yards.

BTW,you can still call me friend.

 

A smart theft ring would just go to the dealership with your VIN number off of your dash and have a new key made. One way would be to send an inconspicuous "mom" with her crying child and a sob story about being locked out of her car. It's likely they'd be so willing to help her, they wouldn't think to check ownership. The other possibility would be an insider working at the dealership. If you're worried about theft, get an aftermarket alarm with an ignition-disabling device.

 

Shouted in my best military cadence: "IF THEY WANT THE TRUCK, THEY WILL TAKE IT, DRILL SERGEANT, SIR!!"

Listen, I understand the "tit for tat" mentality, but placing an explosive inside the truck for any would-be thieves??!! How stupid would YOU feel if you had a child get into the thing, or a mechanic who didn't realize how loony you really are...or, God forbid, a family member of yours!!!?? Accidents happen...I don't need to remind you. I'm sure you've seen your share of them in your day. I, myself, own handguns as well, so I'm not anti-self-defense in the slightest, but it seems like your mentality might be a little bit extreme, and may well get you into legal trouble, not to mention the concept you hold so dear, "responsibility for one's actions". There are consequential ramifications that will surface if you take that tack...and though I think you are likely too set in your ways to heed any sort of suggestion I may have, I wouldn't feel good about myself for sitting here and not making one before you blow up some innocent "casualty" of your alarm system. You may not agree, but I think most human life is far more important than your "creame puff" vehicle. Are you truly willing to risk other people's lives so that you can brag that your vehicle is capable of blowing someone up inside?? If so, I pray we never cross paths.

Typically I don't take aim at other forum members, however rude and obnoxious they may seem, but I decided to make an exception for someone who really rubbed myself and others the wrong way by being such an *** in his first few posts. You're not "entitled" to our assistance, 6686L, and I'm sure others don't appreciate your brusk demeanor. I, myself, and others, take offense to your personal aim at CommercialNuke for not giving you the answer you were demanding, as well as your comment toward CFICare's reading comprehension. Lighten up and tone down your abrasive attitude...we're all family here, but not one of us here "owes" you an answer to your query. I don't have to like you, and after this post you may well not like me either, but I don't think any of us came here to be berated while we're spending our free time trying to help other forum members, nor to listen to your belittling tone in your "no offense, but your reading comprehension skills signals the decline of our culture" speech. No offense, indeed.

Kevin

 

The PATS key system is not all that easy to thwart. Here's my thinking.

If someone took my VIN to the dealer and got a PATS key made...it still will not start the Ex. The key needs to be programmed by using two existing keys that are already programmed to the system. To be more concise...the key itself is not programmed, but the system in the Ex recognizes the key and allows the engine to be started. If you have two keys that are currently recognized, you can program a third by yourself sitting in the driver's seat. You would need to take the Ex to a dealer to have a key enabled to work with your Ex, if you did not have two functioning keys. I think a max of 10 keys can be allowed to work with your Ex. (As an aside, both my Fords use PATS keys and I bought extras at the dealer and programmed them....cheap insurance in the event I loose my keys...a friend paid almost $100 to have a key programmed at the dealer)

Okay. I also installed a Valet Remote Start/ Alarm in my rig. Where I live, remote start is very nice come January. The LED no doubt deters casual thieves. My remotes also page me in the even of an alarm.

 

I have continued doing some research on the question first raised in my first "post". I now have confirmation from a law enforcement source (at least, assuming he knows what he is talking about...? ? ) that our worst fears are correct. There are now FOUR ways the professional car thieves get at our Excursions.

First, here's why. Wealthy people in the mid east and asia have taken a fancy to Excursions, Naviagators, and Expeditions. Since they cant buy new Excursions, if they want one, they settle for next best thing - the "cream puff" late model used ones.

The two ways the professional car thief rings that operate from Mexico operate is the following. Those that have access to it, use a device sold by Ford Motor Co., presumably only to licensed dealers and lock-smiths, that enables them to get around the SecurityKey system. Once in your car, they are GONE with it. The second way, is what I was told about, and posted earlier, is they simply aquire a Ford product with the SecurityKey for that car, and get inside yours, open the hood, change some part related to the computer anti-theft system, and then, using the key for the car they aquired, drive off with your car, since the computer now "recognizes" their key. The third way (my source is CONVINCED this can be done) is a competent computer expert simply uses some device to interpet your computer's codes, and "break" them. The fourth way involves using advanced radio receiver techniques - they hang around parking areas, wait for the car they want to drive up, then "listen" when you hit your little radio locking device, record its codes, and then use that code to get in, after which, once quietly inside the car, use any of the above methods to make off with it.

To make matters even worse, the professional car thieves have "arrangements" with port security in various ports (Los Angeles/San Pedro, for one) by which they drive the car directly into a steel container. Since so much of our industry (and jobs) are now over-seas, there are always many MANY of these steel containers going back aboard ship. Once inside the steel container, LoJac and other similar systems cant be received. AND, we have NO security as to OUTGOING containers.

The "business" of stealing hi value cars has value to a number of very powerful legimate special interest groups. Every time a hi value car is removed from the United States (or cut up for parts for major collision repairs) the auto manufacturer profits because they get to make another car. Insurance companies profit..because with each "loss", they can "experience rate" higher. Remember, insurance companies MAKE money by having losses..the more losses...the higher they can "experience rate" the following policy period. ( To my knowledge, no insurance company has EVER tried to or wanted to make money on direct claims loss experience...it is important to recognize that insurance companies are devices to collect premiums, so that they have large amounts to invest. Paying out claims, is a necessary annoyance to getting a larger premium base for the following accounting period.

The bottom line...is - I am NOT happy with what my inquiries have disclosed...there is apparently no satisfactory total answer. On an individual basis, all we can do is be security-conscious when we park our cars.

I was also cautioned that stopping a car thief if you catch him in the act, can be dangerous. Yes, auto theft is classified as a major felony in most, if not all jurisdictions. Yes, a citizen can make a "citizen's arrest" for a felony committed in his presence. Yes, once you have yelled out " HALT, YOU ARE UNDER ARREST' any attempt at resisting the arrest is a separate dangerous felony, for which, in most jurisdictions, you may use deadly force to complete the arrest, and/or prevent the felon from escaping. The problem is, the SecurityKey system HAS deterred your run-of-the-mill "dirt bag" car thief. The people you are dealing with are organized crime, with powerful connections, and competent organizations. Today's specialized car thief of high dollar cars probably has at least one "back up".

In Phoenix, Arizona, they do have a program in which law enforcement uses "bait" cars to trap car thieves. Bad news. There are SO many desparely poor but computer literate people around, that as fast as you get one off the street, ten more are ready to take their place.

Not funny.

 

For Kevin:

I appreciate your unhappiness with me - I suspect if you really thought it thru, you'd recognize that this auto theft epidemic that our govt. dosnt seem to be interested in controlling, has us ALL pretty damn mad.

I agree with you that human life is worth more than property. I wish there was an answer that is practical, humane, and that gives us some feeling of security.

However, if the information I was given, and have provided in answer to my own original question is correct, there really IS no answer, so I remain pretty damn frustrated.

I DO appreciate all contributions, but you will have to forgive me that when I ask a specific question, I would PREFER a specific answer directed to that question.

Thanks again

Pete

 

Kevinsoffroad is right...

There is no 'perfect' way to stop a car form being stolen...even if it is totally unstartable, all they have to do is unhook the drive shafts and wheel it onto a flatbed tow truck or even a under-truck wheel lift thing. If a repo man can get it, why cant anyone else? If the crime rings are this advanced, surely the've got some type of tow rig too. If it was me, lock your car, hide your belongings, take your valuables, and pray for the best.

Although the best way not to get your car stolen from a parking lot: WALK

Or hire a manservant to babysit it.

Its too bad that there is no perfect solution, but thats life

Isaac

 

I realize now he's right ! That's what's so damn frustrating about the answer to my initial question ! There isn't any !

Pete

 

wow how complicated this thread is really lol

**** u not i bought my 2001 X on a Tuesday. wednesday i took it to get a 6.5 inch JENSEN touch screen installed. the wife n kids wanted to take a trip to miami, and see how the X does on the highway we left friday night. Saturday morning we went to a local market at 10am . and when we returned the driver side door handle was pryed open and the lock was picked and my 6.5 touchscreen was gone.. in a matter of 10mins i was in the store... to buy some freakin milk n eggs... didnt even have the freakin truck a week and BANG!!!

Hows that for bad luck.. thier went my cream puff X...

so anthoner thing u need to do is bulletproff your X and install jimi jammers in the door .. stoping the thiefs from gettin in, also another good way to protect your windows is to get 3 layers of tint as the film will be thicker and they would have to cut threw the film to get in so a few more mintues he has to spend will help... or u can alays get this smoke machine fog type blinding smoke that when your alarm is armed and a thief try to get in ur car it will fill with smoke and he has no choice but to leave since he cant see and can choke..or u can get one of those alarms that they use in germany that can send a few wattage of electrical shock to a thief if the car is armed.. but i dont kno if it is legal here in the states... ha thier u go enjoy..

 

6686L


Looks like you answered your own question, good for you. Now for a reality check. When it comes down to it, you are talking about an Excursion. I can't imagine how paranoid you would be if you owned a real car. I have an Excursion (that I love) as well, but give me a break man. It's still a "middle class" vehicle. If someone decides to steal it, my insurance will pay it off then I'll find another.

 

For "XY"

"insurance will pay - just find another"..? Your attitude indicates you do not recognize WHO actually pays for what is now a full blown epidemic of theft by professional thieves of hi-dollar vehicles. YOU pay. I Pay. WE, the public pays thru higher insurance rates and other costs related to this. Higher costs that do NOTHING to improve the products we buy.

All of you - if you REALLY want to get angry, use your search engine, as I did, to research the issue of factory security systems. It appears there IS an economically viable way to make the factory computer-based anti-theft systems more secure (which would be passed along to us consumers) ... but for some odd reason...(yeah...right...hardly "odd" at all ! ) both the automotive and insurance industries are at best dis-interested, if not outright opposed ! Isn't THAT interesting !

As a personal note, I do not agree with your evaluation of the EXCURSION; in my own case, mine delivered new for nearly $60,000. That does take it a bit above the ordinary so-called "middle class" car. And explains why, even "used", a really sharp one like mine (built in Sept, 2005) was not only attractive to me, but would be particularly attractive to a mid-east or asian buyer.

I had to put a LOT of work (I have a bad back, so crawling around under a vehicle is quite painful) and money into it to get it suitable for heavy towing - I couldn't find a low mileage one with all the "trailer-tow fixins" so had to install them myself. I really dont want to go thru all the trouble to find one and bring it to my isolated ranch here in northern Arizona. So you will have to forgive me for REALLY liking the one I have !

I found the many responses most helpful, even if many of them did not specifically address with precision, the initial question I asked. Yes, I remain frustrated at the situation, but certainly learned to be much more security-conscious ! Hope you all do the same !

 

6686L..perhaps you missed my post above where I exactly answered your question as first posed. You asked about the "security key" and I answered in fact...not supposition.

 

Firstly, as someone pointed, if they really want it, they will get it, no ands, buts or ifs. The best you can do is deter the less determined. The fuel pump is outside the tank so life is good if you want to go that route. You can also get a DP-tuner multi position chip and one of them will be the no start mode. Make sure that is not at position #1 since if the chip malfunctions, it defaults to that.

However, the question is what is all that trouble worth to you? It is more of a PITA to me to have to do more than lock the doors. I am not interested in going thru all these gyrations so I get insurance. Not sure what self-insured really means under these circumstances. Sometimes people list themselves as self-insured when they have no insurance and hope for the best. Others have to have to put aside a certain amount of money. In any case, I consider the traditional insurance simply because I don't want the particular worry that you have. Yes, I understand it saves money. But NILIF comes into play. Nothing In Life Is Free. The payment part is that I have to worry about theft, hitting someone and watching my money go up in smoke, etc, etc.

 

sorry I wasnt more clear - of course I always have carried LIABILITY insurance; just took out $500 deductable comprehensive. But I am still pretty aggravated that the industry dosn't seem to be taking this "proffesional" epidemic all that seriously. Sure, the "SafetyKey" has stopped the dirt bags and kids looking for trouble, but, again, if the info. I was able to get at is correct, the professional car thieves are having a ball delivering our nice Excursions, Expeditions and Navigators to the mid-east and asia.