Security on a Budget?

[Cw72gmc]

Hi all,

So my living arrangements have changed. I live in a nice area but have limited off street parking. I have a new daughter; so to have someone install a nice alarm and kill switch just isn't in my current budget as I just finished my interior for the summer. So basically what I have been doing is pulling my coil to distributor wire and chaining the hood shut (Overnight and parking lots when I'm going to be a while) Other than being a PITA I'd say this is about as safe as I can get? The truck will turn over if someone tries to hot wire it but won't start... wont be able to open the hood to take a quick look.

What are your thoughts or recommendations until I can get a true security system set up?

This is on my 72 GMC

Thanks all in advance

[WarMonger]

put a toggle switch in somewhere between the ignition switch and power. That works

[70cst]

Originally Posted by WarMonger

put a toggle switch in somewhere between the ignition switch and power. That works

That's what I did...

[In The Ten Ring]

There is a product called "brake jack" that locks up the brake from the floor.

Now I think I have the ultimate in "cheap security." I can easily remove my 3 speed on column shift lever and just take that with me. Back my truck up against an immovable object, leave in reverse, take lever, and walk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm01YrbIYLs

[COBob'70 K-10]

Originally Posted by WarMonger

put a toggle switch in somewhere between the ignition switch and power. That works

That's what I did: works like a champ!

[justin4260]

were are some good places to hide the switch. I've been thinking of this for a while but couldn't find a good place to hide the switch. and i don't want it just hanging or have to open the hood to get to it.

[Andy4639]

Do you have a bed cover on the truck? I would look at putting it under the bed lip are maybe in the front grille where you can reach it but no one else would know it's there.

[leftybass209]

I'm all for security and theft prevention. However, I think a lot of thieves know older vehicles are easy to add battery disconnects to, and as such makes it even more important to find a unique solution to hiding a disconnect.

Things that I've seen:

One of the AM radio knobs as a disconnect.

Switches wired in series that requires a certain combination. (a little bit much for my taste but effective)

Switch underneath the drivers side inner fender

Switch along the drivers (or passengers) frame rail, as well as at the rear of the vehicle behind a drop-down license plate frame.

The problem with disabling features outside the vehicle is anyone casing your vehicle can easily pick up on any systematic steps you take

Things like clubs and brake disabling devices may seem silly and ineffective, but the more trouble you create for a thief, the more likely they are to move on. It's the rare, professional car thief that is to be worried about.

[haysonj]

On my Z28 I had a switch on the clutch wire and was activated by my second button of the garage door remote. Car won't start unless the clutch is in.

[justin4260]

my grandpa had his door open latch (shaved door handles with electronic button opener) under the truck on the stepside step lip and the rain water kept shorting it out.

[treveiger]

My wife bought me a train horn for the truck for our anniversary. I'm thinking about putting a switch on it so if you don't turn it off the horn will blast as soon as you try to start it. Figured it would scare them half to death and would send them running.

[72 tigger]

On one of my trucks I put a keyed disconnect switch in my glovebox & installed a locking button on the glovebox door.

[Cw72gmc]

I like all of your ideas! I think it comes down to the fact that if someone wants it bad enough they will get it one way or another. The way I look at what I'm doing is the average person who thinks it will be a quick in and off with the truck, they get in, it turns over but wont fire... they go to pop the hood... they physically cant get it open.... lets say they do.... the odds of them having a coil to distributor wire is slim to none. Again this is just while it's sitting out over night and in parking lots. That is probably as safe as I can make it.

[67 chevelle]

Originally Posted by treveiger

My wife bought me a train horn for the truck for our anniversary. I'm thinking about putting a switch on it so if you don't turn it off the horn will blast as soon as you try to start it. Figured it would scare them half to death and would send them running.

Great idea , make it a 2 way switch that diverts the distributor + to the horn , ashtray is a good place for the switch

[justin4260]

Originally Posted by treveiger

My wife bought me a train horn for the truck for our anniversary. I'm thinking about putting a switch on it so if you don't turn it off the horn will blast as soon as you try to start it. Figured it would scare them half to death and would send them running.

that would be hilarious if you let somebody drive your truck and not tell them the switch is there lol

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

Great idea , make it a 2 way switch that diverts the distributor + to the horn , ashtray is a good place for the switch

That's a great idea!

Originally Posted by justin4260

that would be hilarious if you let somebody drive your truck and not tell them the switch is there lol

Not to many people drive the truck but I know a few jokesters that might try to jump in and that would almost be worth it to leave the keys in it

[67chevemall]

Originally Posted by treveiger

My wife bought me a train horn for the truck for our anniversary. I'm thinking about putting a switch on it so if you don't turn it off the horn will blast as soon as you try to start it. Figured it would scare them half to death and would send them running.

BRILLIANT!! Best idea I have heard of in a long time. Cheers

[1972CST]

Empty holster in the drivers seat

[Gravityamp]

Originally Posted by 1972CST

Empty holster in the drivers seat

Lmao ! It would deter me but there are some very how do I say it ... "stupid" thieves out there . My luck they would tear my truck up looking for the piece

Oh and just to be clear I'm not saying that I am a thief of any kind smart or stupid



Peace

[GRX]

Consider the top-less Jeep solution. Steering wheel quick disconnect. Like said above. Make it difficult for the would be thief. More then likely to pass it by if they cannot steer it.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Cw72gmc

Hi all,

So my living arrangements have changed. I live in a nice area but have limited off street parking. I have a new daughter; so to have someone install a nice alarm and kill switch just isn't in my current budget as I just finished my interior for the summer. So basically what I have been doing is pulling my coil to distributor wire and chaining the hood shut (Overnight and parking lots when I'm going to be a while) Other than being a PITA I'd say this is about as safe as I can get? The truck will turn over if someone tries to hot wire it but won't start... wont be able to open the hood to take a quick look.

What are your thoughts or recommendations until I can get a true security system set up?

This is on my 72 GMC

Thanks all in advance

Route the main fuel line over by the driver's side in front of the seat belt and install a fuel line shut-off lever. The thief will get a block or so, and you will have time to run down the street in your underwear with your shotgun loaded with rock salt.

[piecesparts]

Take the cigarette lighter and turn it into a push/pull (On/Off) switch. To me that is about the most useless item in the truck cab.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Take the cigarette lighter and turn it into a push/pull (On/Off) switch. To me that is about the most useless item in the truck cab.

My dad used the cigarette lighter delete as a manual choke. My truck won't start without being choked.

[hamjet]

I had a 64 nova I raced. to adjust solid lifters I put a toggle switch in line with the coil wire so it would'nt start when I was turning the engine over. Just hide the toggle. ( or, you could have 3 on the tree, no one today knows how to drive them..)

[67ChevyRedneck]

Nothing stops a roll back.

A 66 Mustang was recently stolen from a locked garage in my area.