Anti-theft devices ideas and suggestions

[87Skier]

It seems like one of our trucks is stolen every week. While some are unavoidable (like someone with a flatbed truck dragging it on and driving away), I feel that some extra protection on our trucks might be the difference between it being stolen or not.

That being said what can be done while maintaining the originality of our trucks? What have you guys seen before?

Some common ideas that I've seen and can work:

- Remote immobilizer, such as a key fob
- A steering wheel club
- A button that you have to press before you can start the vehicle in a very well concealed place
- Pulling the coil wire
- Having a manual transmission preferably with 3 on the tree


Please DON'T post the vulnerabilities of our trucks! Only post ideas to secure them. And I wouldn't recommend posting complete details, don't want to give away the secrets to your truck and I'm sure we can find information on Google.

[greedy geezer]

I have an aux gas tank the tank selector has a position that shuts off flow.
the truck will run for a few minutes and die, I was thinking of using this simple idea figuring a thief wouldn't know about the switch maybe make a cover to hide it just leaving it in the no flow position a cheep way out for me just have to remember to switch it back before I start the truck
gg

[snipescastle2]

I mounted a small fuel shut off valve, tucked into the frame on mine, just one of the few things I'm doing with mine, Kill switch, etc... GPS is next on my list.
Ben

[LockDoc]

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Funny, I was just thinking about this last night laying in bed when I couldn't sleep. I think the most secure thing as far as making it hard to steal would be a brake lock. To me it would have to be a hidden mechanical line lock type of thing with a lever you flip over to lock the brakes up. I would say fronts since that is where most of the weight is. That plus a hood lock. I have watched the guy that runs the salvage yard load vehicles on his rollback and I can tell you there isn't anything you can do to keep that from happening except park it where they can't get to it.

LockDoc

[zeldman]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Funny, I was just thinking about this last night laying in bed when I couldn't sleep. I think the most secure thing as far as making it hard to steal would be a brake lock. To me it would have to be a hidden mechanical line lock type of thing with a lever you flip over to lock the brakes up. I would say fronts since that is where most of the weight is. That plus a hood lock. I have watched the guy that runs the salvage yard load vehicles on his rollback and I can tell you there isn't anything you can do to keep that from happening except park it where they can't get to it.

LockDoc

This.

Years ago I used to repo cars for a used car dealer. Only two things kept me from getting the vehicle:

1. A garage.

2. A gun.

Both only delayed the inevitable. No one really pays any attention to a roll back because it just looks like another break down getting towed.

To stop the quick theft, anything that will delay getting into the vehicle or make it hard to drive away. Sometimes a simple device like a 3 OTT is all it takes...

[jeffahart]

All of the above. Redundancy is the trick. Too many hurdles costs time.

Plus, glue on the steering wheel, works like flypaper... wouldn't that be great, to come out and find thief stuck to your steering wheel... you could take it into your garage and do some dental work.

Nothing I hate more than a thief!

[truckster]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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I have watched the guy that runs the salvage yard load vehicles on his rollback and I can tell you there isn't anything you can do to keep that from happening except park it where they can't get to it.

LockDoc

A tilt switch and a shaped charge come to mind, but I'm a combat engineer, so....

[cypressbog]

I used to own a nice fully loaded 67 Mustang and my apartment was in an area that wasn't in the best of neighborhoods. I left it unlocked to reduce the chance of a busted window. I'd take the coil wire AND battery out everytime it was parked there. If someone came up with a battery, they certainly wouldn't have thought about a coil wire. I could tell you how I disabled the automatic shift linkage, but then I'd have to kill you.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
Funny, I was just thinking about this last night laying in bed when I couldn't sleep. I think the most secure thing as far as making it hard to steal would be a brake lock. To me it would have to be a hidden mechanical line lock type of thing with a lever you flip over to lock the brakes up. I would say fronts since that is where most of the weight is. That plus a hood lock. I have watched the guy that runs the salvage yard load vehicles on his rollback and I can tell you there isn't anything you can do to keep that from happening except park it where they can't get to it.

LockDoc

How about a heavy duty cable lock hooked up permanently to the frame. Then, always park next to something you can chain up to - like a street lamp?
(Super-duper bike chain)

[jaros44sr]

If you're running EFI, you could put a blank tune in it, then switch it when you want to start it up.

[brad_man_72]

Garage.

[trukman1]

Originally Posted by brad_man_72

Garage.

THIS!

[Wasted Income]

On PowerTour last year, when i had to park mine at the hotels (usually is safe and sound in my shop) I flashed an "anti-theft" tune file into the Holley ECU. Basically, the tune had all the fuel tables zero'd out, so even if you had the key, it would not start. It literally only took 5 seconds to load the file and another 5 to flash the regular file back in. Granted this won't stop somebody with a wrecker from grabbing it, but it will certainly stop somebody whose intention is to hotwire and drive away.

[snipescastle2]

Remember the scene from "American Graffitti"
Where Richard Dreyfuss placed the cables around the rear end of the Police car and the light post at "Jerry's Cherry" car lot? sure wouldn't get far....
Ben

[davepl]

I'm a rebel! I can't take it! I'm going to spill the secrets so the word is out!

We have non-locking steering columns, an exposed hot ignition terminal in sight of the positive post, and a starter built for easy starts with a flat-blade screwdriver. But I'm pretty sure that's been well-known for 40 years. It's still easier to steal a 90s Buick/Olds, don't have to open the hood!

I still think the best is an electric fuel pump connected to something like a defog switch, or any kind of fuel kill COMBINED with a carb. I had that for years, through at least 6 breakins where it was never stolen. The reason? If they do hotwire it, it fires right up, starts, even drives a few feet until the fuel in the bowl is used up, then it dies and won't restart. Far too annoying to steal.

[El Dorado Jim]

I have a hidden ignition kill switch, and will use the "club" when I get my truck on the road, I like the idea of a fuel shutoff,does anyone make an electric shutoff valve? also, does anyone know of a hood lock for our old rigs?

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

I have a hidden ignition kill switch, and will use the "club" when I get my truck on the road, I like the idea of a fuel shutoff,does anyone make an electric shutoff valve? also, does anyone know of a hood lock for our old rigs?

I had this on mine and it blew the fuse in LA traffic truck died with no warning apparently the power keeps it open. I removed it the next day. Now I just pull the fuse to the computer and take it with me.

[jeh]

I keep mine in a locked garage at home, and I also have 2 big dogs outside that don't like nonsense. As far as the truck itself I have my electric fuel pump on a switch that's pretty hard to find, with the ole BB427 it won't make it very far on the fuel in the carb.
(The one on the pillow weighs 235 pounds)

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by jeh

I keep mine in a locked garage at home, and I also have 2 big dogs outside that don't like nonsense. As far as the truck itself I have my electric fuel pump on a switch that's pretty hard to find, with the ole BB427 it won't make it very far on the fuel in the carb.
(The one on the pillow weighs 235 pounds)

Cool Jason. Nice looking dogs.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by jeh

I keep mine in a locked garage at home, and I also have 2 big dogs outside that don't like nonsense. As far as the truck itself I have my electric fuel pump on a switch that's pretty hard to find, with the ole BB427 it won't make it very far on the fuel in the carb.
(The one on the pillow weighs 235 pounds)

I need one of those to leave in the cab!!

[Baime]

Originally Posted by jeh

I keep mine in a locked garage at home, and I also have 2 big dogs outside that don't like nonsense. As far as the truck itself I have my electric fuel pump on a switch that's pretty hard to find, with the ole BB427 it won't make it very far on the fuel in the carb.
(The one on the pillow weighs 235 pounds)

Jason,
I was feeling tired while I was reading this thread. Your dogs are big, but they look like good old dogs to me. Something tells me they would let me crawl right into that big pillow/bed, and then join me for an afternoon nap.

I'm heading for the couch right now.

Best theft protection I've heard about so far.

Take care, JP

[trukman1]

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

I have a hidden ignition kill switch, and will use the "club" when I get my truck on the road, I like the idea of a fuel shutoff,does anyone make an electric shutoff valve? also, does anyone know of a hood lock for our old rigs?

I installed chains to the top hood latch "plate" and a padlock placed high enough you can't get a bolt cutter to. My son said, "Great idea dad...but what if you lose the key?" Well, darn! (I'm so forgetful that IS a possibility.)

ETA: I also have a battery disconnect on the negative terminal I unhook whenever I park it. Not fool proof but an added deterrent.

My son swaps the coil wire to a plug wire spot and the plug wire to the coil as well. I don't since I can't reach it but he says most car thieves won't think to check that.

Multiple layers offer more protection, IMO.

[New_70'C10]

I'm just starting my build and have thought about this. Has anyone put a newer style hood release on their ride? One that opens from inside the cab.

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by New_70'C10

I'm just starting my build and have thought about this. Has anyone put a newer style hood release on their ride? One that opens from inside the cab.

Yep. Super easy to install and works great

[Zonaman]

I've used a Ravelco device (https://www.ravelco.com/) in my C10 for more than a decade. I believe they're pretty hard to beat.