Hi folks!

I noticed that the '08 Super Duty comes with SecuriLock as standard equipment.

Here's what the Ford site has to say about the system...

"The SecuriLock^® passive anti-theft system is designed to help prevent the engine from being started unless a coded key programmed to your vehicle is used. The electronically encoded ignition key activates a specially designed transponder located inside the vehicle. The system disarms whenever the correct key is inserted into the ignition, and automatically re-arms when it is removed."

So is the general concensus that this system would keep our trucks secure from theft (aside from tow trucks), and there is no need for the installation of aftermarket immobilizer systems?

 

I wish it was like the factory system that was in my '05 Mustang GT. From the factory it came with tilt sensor, hood sensor, trunk sensor, and inside thermo/glass breakage sensors.......if any of those were set off the panic horn would sound plus it would record a "Security Event" in the message sensor and tell you how many event's/sensors were set off. That is what they need in the '08's SD's.

 

There is a Vehicle Security System 'accessory' that can be purchased. Here's what Ford says about that...

"Two-step perimeter alarm gives a warning chirp for non-threatening impacts and a Real Panic Sound® if security is threatened. IT-s® (Interior Theft Sensor) uses infrared technology to protect the vehicle’s contents. Factory-supplied transmitter remotely locks/unlocks doors and deactivates the alarm. Dome lights are activated for illuminated entry/exit."

Sounds like it has some of what your GT had.

 

Nope...secure lock is not good enough if your truck is a target by experienced thieves.

Layer your security system for best results:

Engine Vault/lock: disables engine
Audible: early warning
Tracking: GPS

 

Listen to Bear, unfortunately he knows what he's talking about! This cop agrees, add a Club too. Gotta make it too much trouble for the dirtbags!!...Brian

 

Good advice!

Would you consider SecuriLock an engine vault/lock? If not, could you suggest such a system?

 

I had my 2007 F-250 truck stolen after a month of owning it. To make matters worse.. The new wife and I were grabbing a quick bite to eat at a fast food joint before we hit the airport for our honeymoon, and it was stolen within 20-30 minutes that we spent inside. 13k(insurance payout) worth of goods stolen inside the cab including passports and birth certificates.

This was a very painful event for the wife.. and an infuriating one for me. A friend of the family since childhood is a police officer and after 3 hours got special permission to come help us since this particular area was slammed... He said these trucks are stolen left and right. And if they are found, they are nearly totalled from abuse.. usually from trafficking drugs, or humans from mexico.

Now.. I talked to him about Lojack and how that would have helped. Well unfortunately Lojack cannot be activated until a police officer physically meets you in person. In my case it would have been 3+ hours before it would have been activated.. In 3 hours my truck could have been extremely close to the mexico border and basically gone.

What all this boils down to is the need for a system that you can track yourself..... and alert you immediately on any "abnormal" events such as someone touching your vehicle. When I bought my 2008 I had Lojack installed with the early warning upgrade. This will only tell you that your vehicle has been stolen.. and usually quite a long time after it has started moving. But at least it's one layer.

The next layer was a full security system from Directed Electronics. Most of your high end security systems come from this company. Brands such as "Viper", "Clifford", and "Python" all use Directed electronics equipment. These systems use two way remotes that go on your key-ring that alert you when your car alarm sounds it's warning sounds, or the whole alarm goes off. The remotes also work up to a mile away.

You can also add a GPS module which gives you another layer. This system will also send you text messages if your car alarm goes off, if your vehicle crosses the border, etc etc. You can access your GPS info via the internet, or phone.

The advantage to being able to track your vehicle yourself(at least out here) is that if your vehicle is stolen and you tell the police you have the location, it now becomes a priority 1 case (instead of a P2 case in the event of lojack). This means the police immediately go after your vehicle, and don't bother meeting you first.

I love the system.. I've only had it for 1 week. It was a bit pricey with the full install (these systems need to be done by a very reputable dealer to make sure everything is hidden properly).... but worth every penny if it can recover your vehicle quickly. The best part, there is no monthly fee! You just buy X number of connections, and each "gps module" based action such as getting the location of your vehicle uses one connection.

Anyhow.. sorry for the long fragmented reply, But this topic has been on my mind since my 07 was stolen last october, and my new 08 arrived 1.5 weeks ago.

www.directed.com

 

Take a look at this system here:

www.ravelco.com

 

Fantastic tips! Thanx gents!!!!

 

A hidden, disguised switch to open the circuit to the electronic fuel pump has been know to deter those low life's...perhaps near the door pillar, where you can't even tell it's a switch!

 

I'd say, Ravelco is the way to go. I just had mine installed and it's pretty much 100% steal-proof. They can break in and steal my stuff, but they can't steal my rig...
-Jimmy

 

Sounds like the Code Alarm I just had put in mine. Except mine has remote start also.

 

I've seen another product discussed on here that actually replaces the starter relay. You needed a remote to temporarily engage the circuit when starting engine. Seemed pretty simple...and difficult to bypass (unless you knew to be looking exactly for this). Anyone else know what I'm talking about?