seeking kill switch suggestions

[wazzabie]

I would like to install a kill switch but I don't want to cut into any of the factory wiring. Any suggestions?

[Bandit130]

Originally Posted by wazzabie

I would like to install a kill switch but I don't want to cut into any of the factory wiring. Any suggestions?

My suggestion is to install or have an alarm installed. I did and have no regrets.

[Dead Parrot]

Pretty much by definition, a kill switch involves modifying some aspect of the factory wiring. A kill switch is installed in series with a wire carrying current needed to start and/or run the motor. You have to cut something somewhere to install the switch.

If you go with an alarm and have bent the knee to the smartphone tracking universe, get an alarm that sends you an alert and possibly photos/video from the cab mounted camera. So much better when your 911 call includes a detailed description of the person currently in the act of stealing your vehicle. Perhaps hide one of those Apple tags/gps sender somewhere on the truck. If they succeed in the theft, you have a chance it will phone home with its location.

[truckin 79]

I use on of these on positive battery cable, mainly to save battery from discharging. The Die Hard battery in truck is about 15 years old, starts the truck every time. CO has become the #1 state for car thefts as of late, I really wish people would stop moving here. Anyway I have also added the club to my truck as an extra safety measure. The truck also has a hood release that is inside the cab 79 so that also helps. Simple install of battery kill switch as well

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by truckin 79

I use on of these on positive battery cable, mainly to save battery from discharging. The Die Hard battery in truck is about 15 years old, starts the truck every time. CO has become the #1 state for car thefts as of late, I really wish people would stop moving here. Anyway I have also added the club to my truck as an extra safety measure. The truck also has a hood release that is inside the cab 79 so that also helps. Simple install of battery kill switch as well

X2 on battery cutoff switch with removable key. But you’ll want to mount it so that it is difficult for the thief to get to the terminals on the back or they’ll just jump them and steal it anyway. The only bummer is this will reset your radio settings every time you use it.

OR

What I’ve done in the past is mount a normally closed momentary push button in the radiator support so it contacts the hood when closed. I then wire the horn through this switch so if I’m someone pops the hood, the horn immediately blasts and won’t stop until the hood is closed. This is usually enough to bring attention and scare people away. You can add another on/off switch in series and hide that somewhere convenient for yourself so you can get under the hood without making the horn go off. Easy and cheap.

Then all you have to do is pull the ignition wire out of the coil and you’re all set. Once they pop the hood to see why it won’t start, boom.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by truckin 79

I use on of these on positive battery cable, mainly to save battery from discharging. The Die Hard battery in truck is about 15 years old, starts the truck every time. CO has become the #1 state for car thefts as of late, I really wish people would stop moving here. Anyway I have also added the club to my truck as an extra safety measure. The truck also has a hood release that is inside the cab 79 so that also helps. Simple install of battery kill switch as well

We left CO over 25 years ago. It was getting worse back then.

[Factory Guy]

Originally Posted by truckin 79

I use on of these on positive battery cable, mainly to save battery from discharging. The Die Hard battery in truck is about 15 years old, starts the truck every time. CO has become the #1 state for car thefts as of late, I really wish people would stop moving here. Anyway I have also added the club to my truck as an extra safety measure. The truck also has a hood release that is inside the cab 79 so that also helps. Simple install of battery kill switch as well

I did that as well on one of my cars, the red handle (removable part) was hidden inside the car where one wouldn't look. After I did this I read where you should do it on the NEGATIVE cable and not the POSTIVE cable.

[87chevy.com]

100% chance if you pay any retail store to solve this problem, wires will be cut, crimped with a hammer and most likely mutilated at worst.

What I do and will recommend to you. figure out what circuit you want to add kill switch to.

Research connector, find terminal family name and size
Buy Terminals
Buy proper crimp tool, quality, not cheap!
Buy wire that matches OE wire color being modified
Remove wire from Circuit,
Cut OE terminal off at 1st crip, pull off remaining strain relief - this saves the most and you only loose 1/8" of wire or so

Crimp new end to new wire from kill switch and install new wire with factory crimp to the circuit you want.

clint



I also found a programmable module for kill switches. will only share over PM.

[Just call me Sean]

The steering lock and gearshift lock are the main theft deterrent. I could hotwire your truck in under two minutes but would have to break the locks to drive it away. I hotwired my K5 when a fusible link melted but I didn't find it until I got home because it was easier to hotwire it than diagnose it on the side of the road.

I would suggest the kit that allows you to remove the steering wheel if you're that worried about it getting stolen.

[Bandit130]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnPey_5Trc

[Bloodhound]

I go with a two part approach. A fuel pump kill switch (I'm fuel injected) and a hidden commercial GPS tracker that is battery powered - 5 years on 3 AA batteries. There is a subscription cost for the tracker, but the reality is if someone wants the truck, they'll drag it onto a ramp truck and disappear. I like knowing that if the worst happens, I'll be able to quickly locate it.

[v30crewcab]

battery kill switch, with a fuse between the two terminals. retains power unless you try to start it with it shut off. retaining your radio settings but will pop the fuse if they try to start it.