Theft question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KAILUAZ · 08-17-2005, 06:01 PM

Ok, so my PO changed from a manual trans to auto and installed a new steering column.
Question is, should the steering wheel and trans shifter lock when the ignition is turned off??
As it is right now you can jump in the truck and put it in neutral and steer it off to criminal land.
Any thoughts/help?? 1970 GMC w/TH400.

BobbyK · 08-17-2005, 06:05 PM

Stock auto column does NOT lock.

**pjmoreland** · 08-17-2005, 06:11 PM

I put a club on my steering wheel when I leave it in places like airport parking lots.

matthufham · 08-17-2005, 06:26 PM

clubs can be taken off by a pro in about 2 seconds. my auto column doesn't lock, and my floorshifter has no neutral safety switch so i can shift without a key or braking.

Longhorn Man · 08-17-2005, 06:46 PM

yep...pretty dern easy to steal.

KAILUAZ · 08-17-2005, 06:48 PM

Guess I'll have to setup a steering cable lock like the HMMWV's I drove in the Army. Thanks for the quick responses!

**pjmoreland** · 08-17-2005, 07:27 PM

If you're dealing with a professional thief, there really isn't anything you can do to stop him, right? Of course he will probably be looking for something that is worth a little more than my beat up old truck. Now some punk kid who knows how to hotwire an old vehicle and wants to take it for a joyride might consider it. Just my opinion.

clean71 · 08-17-2005, 08:22 PM

As mentioned in a similar thread, may want to go with the removeable steering wheel.

KAILUAZ · 08-17-2005, 08:38 PM

Too bad the search doesnt work, any idea where that thread is?

Longhorn Man · 08-17-2005, 08:54 PM

You don't even need to know how to hotwire... it's quicker to plug in an ignition switch that you carry with you.

KAILUAZ · 08-17-2005, 09:00 PM

Yeah, thats a good thought,,,, to bad my ignition is shot and my house key will work. YIKES!!

shifty · 08-17-2005, 10:28 PM

Removeable steering wheel? Any reputable theif will scope out the vehicle first and bring the parts they need the next visit. That may include a steering wheel.

My advice is to lower it so much that it's laying frame and it can't be towed, then make the pump inoperable.

In addition to that, install an alarm, fuel kill and starter kill. Then add lojack. If anyone can get past all that crap, they deserve the damned truck.

70short/step · 08-18-2005, 12:02 AM

I have the grant steering wheel lock that removes the steering wheel and places a guard over where the steering wheel mounts. It uses a key to lock and unlock. It only takes a second to do this.

Americanrider · 08-18-2005, 02:25 AM

Install a floor starter out a 55 or 56.... That way you know the theif will have to be at least 45 yrs old to figure it out

camaro__thunder · 08-18-2005, 02:48 AM

like this lol ? read the license plate

llegos · 08-18-2005, 03:48 AM

is there a monthly fee on lo-jack? if so how much? i am really considering this for my truck...

junkyardjohn · 08-18-2005, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthufham

clubs can be taken off by a pro in about 2 seconds. my auto column doesn't lock, and my floorshifter has no neutral safety switch so i can shift without a key or braking.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANYONE REMOVE A CLUB IN TWO SECONDS. BETWEEN THE CLUB & A KILL SWITCH, IT'LL SLOW THE THEIVING B@STARDS DOWN LONG ENOUGH THAT I CAN DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. AS FAR AS NOT BEING ABLE TO TOW A LOWERED TRUCK?? WELL THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CHALLENGE TO ME.

NO ONE PAYS ANY ATTENTION TO A WREAKER. I'VE TOWED CARS WITH THE ALARM BLARING, & EVEN HAD A COP STOP TRAFFIC FOR ME.

JOHN

**N2TRUX** · 08-18-2005, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANYONE REMOVE A CLUB IN TWO SECONDS.....

Ok, picture this. I break in to your truck and pull out a midsize pair of bolt cutters. I make one cut on the steering wheel rim push it down and slide the club off and throw it on the ground. How long did that take?????

fade94 · 08-18-2005, 09:55 AM

I had a friend that put a small switch behind the dash, under the ignition switch. It was wired so that unless it was engaged, the fuel pump, starter and ignition system would not work. He had it set up so that a magnet on his key ring stuck to the dash engaging the switch and allowing the car (67 Camaro) to start. I thought it was pretty slick.

phlegm · 08-18-2005, 11:49 AM

Its been said before, declared value insurance is the best deturant against theft. If you pay premium to have insurance for such things, then you know it will never happen.... I think murphy said something about this somewhere.

smokekiki · 08-18-2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phlegm

Its been said before, declared value insurance is the best deturant against theft. If you pay premium to have insurance for such things, then you know it will never happen.... I think murphy said something about this somewhere.

That's the way it works.Drop the insurance coverage,and see how long it takes to disappear!

As far as towing goes,You can not lower it far enough not to be towed.My winch is stronger than the friction of Your frame against the ground!So I destroy a $100 bumper.And Like John said,a car alarm going off will not make anyone look at a tow truck.

Americanrider · 08-18-2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llegos

is there a monthly fee on lo-jack? if so how much? i am really considering this for my truck...

Nope, no monthly fee... just $750 or so and they will come and install in your driveway. I had one put in a vehicle of mine. Once installed you CANNOT remove it. It stays with that vehicle for life! They will not even let you see where they put it or observe the installation process. I thought I would get a discount on insurance but my company said NO. Most insurance companies act like they never heard of the damm thing... It's their way of playing dumb so they don't have to give you a discount on rates.

http://www.lojack.com/index.cfm

Russell · 08-18-2005, 01:52 PM

I made my own little theft deterrant system. I installed a small pushbutton killswitch in a place that very few people would ever consider, then went ahead and installed a bit silver toggle switch under the dash that any theif would think "Bingo" to and try and flip it. However, unbeknownst to them, when that switch is hit, it energizes a relay that stays in the on position that I hid in my fender that does not turn off if you turn the switch off. So the bugger will try and flick the switch off, or cut the wires to stop the blaring horns (they are rather loud, and this setup runs through a signal light flasher so the horns honk on and off like an alarm system). The only way to turn the relay off is to hit another switch I have hidden near by the relay which turns it off, and shuts the horns off.

However, again, its more of a deterrance that'll make people look as the horn starts blaring and the theif scrambles to shut it off. If they want to disable it, they can just pull the horn wires, but they will still need to figure out the hidden kill switch, and by that time, they probally will have given up, and if they do want it, they'll get the truck regardless

JoetheMobster · 08-18-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthufham

clubs can be taken off by a pro in about 2 seconds...

It can be taken off by anyone with a hacksaw (or bolt cutters as mentioned by n2trux) in 2 seconds! Cut the steering wheel, throw the club out the window where the vehicle sat, and call it a day!

JoetheMobster · 08-18-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANYONE REMOVE A CLUB IN TWO SECONDS. BETWEEN THE CLUB & A KILL SWITCH, IT'LL SLOW THE THEIVING B@STARDS DOWN LONG ENOUGH THAT I CAN DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. AS FAR AS NOT BEING ABLE TO TOW A LOWERED TRUCK?? WELL THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CHALLENGE TO ME.

NO ONE PAYS ANY ATTENTION TO A WREAKER. I'VE TOWED CARS WITH THE ALARM BLARING, & EVEN HAD A COP STOP TRAFFIC FOR ME.

JOHN

LMFAO!! Picturing you driving down the road with the alarm blaring. Sadly, you are very correct on no one paying any attention to alarms any more. I for one won't give them the time of day, well not any more.

08-17-2005, 06:01 PM	#1
KAILUAZ King of Rust Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 359	Theft question Ok, so my PO changed from a manual trans to auto and installed a new steering column. Question is, should the steering wheel and trans shifter lock when the ignition is turned off?? As it is right now you can jump in the truck and put it in neutral and steer it off to criminal land. Any thoughts/help?? 1970 GMC w/TH400. __________________ 1970 GMC 2500, 350, TH400, front disks, thats it! My Pics Last edited by KAILUAZ; 08-17-2005 at 06:02 PM.

08-17-2005, 06:05 PM	#2
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	Stock auto column does NOT lock. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

08-17-2005, 06:11 PM	#3
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,413	I put a club on my steering wheel when I leave it in places like airport parking lots. Attached Images

08-17-2005, 06:48 PM	#6
KAILUAZ King of Rust Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 359	Guess I'll have to setup a steering cable lock like the HMMWV's I drove in the Army. Thanks for the quick responses! __________________ 1970 GMC 2500, 350, TH400, front disks, thats it! My Pics

08-17-2005, 08:22 PM	#8
clean71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 335	As mentioned in a similar thread, may want to go with the removeable steering wheel. __________________ CPO U.S. Navy(Ret) 1972 GMC Jimmy 4x4 Custom 1972 GMC Jimmy 2x4 Custom

08-17-2005, 06:26 PM	#4
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	clubs can be taken off by a pro in about 2 seconds. my auto column doesn't lock, and my floorshifter has no neutral safety switch so i can shift without a key or braking.

08-17-2005, 06:46 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	yep...pretty dern easy to steal.

08-17-2005, 07:27 PM	#7
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,413	If you're dealing with a professional thief, there really isn't anything you can do to stop him, right? Of course he will probably be looking for something that is worth a little more than my beat up old truck. Now some punk kid who knows how to hotwire an old vehicle and wants to take it for a joyride might consider it. Just my opinion.

08-17-2005, 08:38 PM	#9
KAILUAZ King of Rust Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 359	Too bad the search doesnt work, any idea where that thread is? __________________ 1970 GMC 2500, 350, TH400, front disks, thats it! My Pics

08-17-2005, 08:54 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	You don't even need to know how to hotwire... it's quicker to plug in an ignition switch that you carry with you.

08-17-2005, 09:00 PM	#11
KAILUAZ King of Rust Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 359	Yeah, thats a good thought,,,, to bad my ignition is shot and my house key will work. YIKES!! __________________ 1970 GMC 2500, 350, TH400, front disks, thats it! My Pics

08-17-2005, 10:28 PM	#12
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Removeable steering wheel? Any reputable theif will scope out the vehicle first and bring the parts they need the next visit. That may include a steering wheel. My advice is to lower it so much that it's laying frame and it can't be towed, then make the pump inoperable. In addition to that, install an alarm, fuel kill and starter kill. Then add lojack. If anyone can get past all that crap, they deserve the damned truck. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

08-18-2005, 12:02 AM	#13
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	I have the grant steering wheel lock that removes the steering wheel and places a guard over where the steering wheel mounts. It uses a key to lock and unlock. It only takes a second to do this. __________________ For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble. 70 Short/Step

08-18-2005, 02:25 AM	#14
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Install a floor starter out a 55 or 56.... That way you know the theif will have to be at least 45 yrs old to figure it out

08-18-2005, 02:48 AM	#15
camaro__thunder Epoxy Primer Friendly Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South of Houston TEXXXAS Posts: 680	like this lol ? read the license plate Attached Images __________________ My Project 69 SWB SHAVED BAGGED DOORED Last edited by camaro__thunder; 08-18-2005 at 02:48 AM.



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08-18-2005, 03:48 AM	#16
llegos Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: pleasanton, CA Posts: 570	is there a monthly fee on lo-jack? if so how much? i am really considering this for my truck... __________________ -Steve

08-18-2005, 09:55 AM	#19
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	I had a friend that put a small switch behind the dash, under the ignition switch. It was wired so that unless it was engaged, the fuel pump, starter and ignition system would not work. He had it set up so that a magnet on his key ring stuck to the dash engaging the switch and allowing the car (67 Camaro) to start. I thought it was pretty slick. __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

08-18-2005, 11:49 AM	#20
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	Its been said before, declared value insurance is the best deturant against theft. If you pay premium to have insurance for such things, then you know it will never happen.... I think murphy said something about this somewhere. __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was

08-18-2005, 01:52 PM	#23
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	I made my own little theft deterrant system. I installed a small pushbutton killswitch in a place that very few people would ever consider, then went ahead and installed a bit silver toggle switch under the dash that any theif would think "Bingo" to and try and flip it. However, unbeknownst to them, when that switch is hit, it energizes a relay that stays in the on position that I hid in my fender that does not turn off if you turn the switch off. So the bugger will try and flick the switch off, or cut the wires to stop the blaring horns (they are rather loud, and this setup runs through a signal light flasher so the horns honk on and off like an alarm system). The only way to turn the relay off is to hit another switch I have hidden near by the relay which turns it off, and shuts the horns off. However, again, its more of a deterrance that'll make people look as the horn starts blaring and the theif scrambles to shut it off. If they want to disable it, they can just pull the horn wires, but they will still need to figure out the hidden kill switch, and by that time, they probally will have given up, and if they do want it, they'll get the truck regardless __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) Last edited by Russell; 08-18-2005 at 01:56 PM.

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