When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am getting ready to do a cross country drive in my 03 with my new Pioneer Z2, I have some ideas on how to keep it from being stolen, but also want to do a kill switch, so my whole truck isn't stolen. I am thinking a switch somewhere in the starting circuit, however, that usually requires a heavy duty gauge wire and switch. Any other ideas would be appreciated.
Is there a inertia "crash" fuel shutoff on these trucks? If so, there would be a easy access to wiring a fuel shutoff for anti theft. I wired some Jaguars that I had using that access. I just pulled the spade connecter and plugged in the wires so that my switch(relay) was in series so that the crash box still functioned if needed. The relay was self actuating after triggered by a momentary switch. It held until the key was turned off. In a carjack scenario if you turned off the key and left it in the ignition, it could not be started without reintiating the fuel relay. The relay was triggered by a microswitch. In my case it was hidden in the ash tray out of sight. We are not smokers. You could hide the micro switch anywhere. A friend of mine hid one on his Porsche on the dash. Underneith the leather covering. He just pushed a spot on the dash and the fuel pump was ready to go. We got a break on our auto insurance for having an anti theft system installed as well.
or you could just simply pull the fuse for the fuel pump, and the fuse for the headlights.
(why headlights you ask ? ) car thieves do not like to drive at night with no headlights, attracts a lot of attention.
I would probably think it would be a bad idea to do the fuel cutoff switch. I have heard that it is very hard on the injectors to run them with no fuel or low fuel presure behind them. How using a starter kill switch, just in line to the contactor control wire. Then you should be able to get away with #12 gauge wire...
If you're going to go the simple switch way, I'd disable the starter circuit, just as described. Intercept the smaller wire that goes to the contactor (relay mounted on the solenoid of the starter).
Cutting the fuel pump out will likely set a trouble code for "Fuel Pump Circuit Open" or something similar.
Well I did splice into the fuel shut-off unit in the passengers side footwell mainly because it was pretty easy to get to, and it is a 14gauge wire. I bought a 20 amp on- off toggle switch. The wire I spliced is dead with key off and 12 vlts with key on. So I expect it will not harm anything to just throw the switch after turning off the ignition, when I am in a paranoid mood, and then return it BEFORE starting the truck.. The test worked it would not start with key on, switch off, however it did throw a cel, which i expected. I am sure it is not good for the motor, but it should only happen again if someone tries to steal my truck. I'm OK with that.
I made my own Revelco type switch...I wired in a few different wires that prevent the engine from being started. Considering that the Revelco costs upwards to $500, a few dollars for parts and an afternoon cutting, soldering and splicing was well spent! Sorry, I won't tell what wires I cut or where I put the plug, but it is safe to assume that no one is gonna hot wire my TRUCK! Only way it's being stolen is to tow it away!
I would probably think it would be a bad idea to do the fuel cutoff switch. I have heard that it is very hard on the injectors to run them with no fuel or low fuel presure behind them. How using a starter kill switch, just in line to the contactor control wire. Then you should be able to get away with #12 gauge wire...
would be better than having your truck stolen wouldn't it ?
splicing in a switch to the power supply to the inertia switch didn't work in my 03 mustang, the car would still run. so I didn't bother to try with the truck. Anyway, I plan on installing a decent stereo so I want a decent security system.
Just wired up Ravelco a Kings Ranch F350 down in Vacouver Washington who mentioned that I get onto your site. He never heard of Ravelco until it was mentioned here.
He goes into a lot of back country for weeks at a time and wanted to ensure that when he returns at the end of the day, his rig is still where he left it.
I am the PNW distributor for Ravelco so anyone in the PNW only (due to contract limitations) interested I am here to help.
Product support is limited to Idaho, Oregon and Washington State only.