Thanks for all the thoughts everyone. I didn't sleep very well last night thinking of all the things I had done to the truck over seven years. Making a list for the insurance so hopefully I can get a good settlement amount, got me looking at all the little projects I had done. Gauge pod, CCV mod, Fuel line cross over mod, dropped the tank and did the mods inside, installed additional fuel filtration, adjusted fuel pressure, additional coolant filter, ART cryo slotted rotors, built a custom welded frame for the bed for my camper to sit on. I know I'm missing things. Nothing major, just stuff that made the truck run like a dream.

I started with a 1972 Datsun pick up in 1985, next was a used 1986 Nisson 4X4 Extended cab, then a 1987 Ford F150 with the straight 6, then to a 1989 Chevy one ton 4X4 crew cab, nice truck my brother still has it, and then finally in '02 to the Ford. It took me 17 years to build up the finances to buy new. I think I'm going to throw up.

 

Rad you sound like me.
Took a long time to be able to afford the truck that I currently own.
Drove a LOT of beaters until then.

 

Is this, indeed, literally true?

Pop

 

Just in case, could you post up some pics of your truck so that in case a member here sees one similar, they can check closely?

Any bumper stickers?
Rear window decals?
Small marks/dents that would be specific to your truck?
Maybe even post the VIN for us?

Anything that visually makes your truck unique and easier to identify would help.

 

rad1026,

I'm very sorry you're going through this; we haven't lost a truck, but my garage was robbed back in 1986.....to say I was upset is an understatement!

In the USAF we have a saying, "Knowledge is Strength", so what I'm about to tell you may provide some useful information when dealing with your insurance company.

We have the Gecko; when providing vehicle information to them there's a section for "aftermarket improvements etc". The reasoning is, you've increased the value of the vehicle and if it suffers a loss (accident totaled, fire or theft) they'll have to cover that, but only if it was previously disclosed. Why? Because your insurance premium rates would've been higher due to the higher value of the vehicle which isn't known when using the VIN.

I recommend, fully, but thoughtfully, disclosing what you had on the vehicle when putting in your claim. My sole purpose in passing on this advice, is for your preparation to deal with an insurance company which is partly on your side, and partly on their own side. Best of Success!

 

Yes Pop, it is true. Uttering threats is quite a big no-no around here.
We wouldn't want a criminal to feel uncomfortable now would we?

 

Damn Les, I'm real sorry about your loss brother, I was just involved in hit and run, and while it doesn't compare to losing your truck, I know how frustrating it is to have some ******* get away without you getting your licks. I hope you get your truck back, or at least they find them all dead in it from a rollover or something. I figure if I can't have it, nobody can!

 

Even more to add to the reality of living in the wild west. New Mexico is not covered by LoJack. We are a small enough town where we don't have enough money to create stolen vehicle task forces like Phoenix. The rate of stolen vehicles in Phoenix, even though they are close to the border is extremely low because the cops are all over the crooks. So where do the crooks go, Albuquerque. Not enough cops, not enough money to do a good job of enforcement and incredibly liberal judges that let these guys off with a hand slap when they do get caught.

USAF CCM, I am including every single upgrade I have done to my truck in the claim. Hopefully I will be happy with Farmers. Oh by the way, you want to sell your truck?

Papa, my truck was just clean, plain Oxford White. The only real distiguishing marks would apparent from a distance would be the Reese Tow Beast receiver on the back and some paint peel on the drivers rear dually fender where my camper battery acid spilled out last summer. Guess I don't have to fix that now. But unless you are sitting on the border at Juarez right now you ain't gonna see it. Thanks though.

 

Rad, very sorry to read of your loss. This scares the crap out of me too. I have to park my rig outside and I do everything possible, shy of leasing a Rottweiller, to protect my truck. As yo see, I'm in Abq too. Way too much of this going on. Not sure of the answer.

 

i already have an auto page two way transmitting system, But i am thinking about adding this feature...

What is C3?

 

Try this on. They state that they have installed over 4million Ravelco's and not one has been stolen. I have it and it saved my truck from going bye bye. It is worth the piece of mind.

Ravelco Anti Theft Device

 

If they pick up the truck and carry it away (like this one apparently was), yes it won't start, but it will still be gone!

Revelco wouldn't have helped in this case.

Pop

 

HOLY COW! That is RIGHT next to my house! I am just up the street from you by Tramway! Sorry to hear that man, it REALLY sucks! I had a car stolen with all my hunting stuff, guns, laptop, and some other odds and ends right out of my driveway and I was home! I will keep a look out for it as well... Again, I feel for you.

 

RAD,
Please post the vin number and plate of your truck. I will keep an eye out for it plus check with FCIC/NCIC daily and get back with you if found and where. If you like email me instead with the info. Lawdog here.

 

Here a new Ravelco on ebay for about $400 less than the company sells it

New Ravelco Anti-Theft Device:eBay Motors (item 230352104698 end time Jan-22-10 11:14:18 PST)