What's your best theft deterrent ???

[taotaoali]

Most under 30 probably never heard of it lol.

[Jon01]

If it's parked in a hotel lot or somewhere out of town I usually throw a tune in that has no timing and fuel.
Around town I'm not too worried about it, car theft isn't a big issue around here.

[Daubs]

My truck is a "mutt"...body from C-20 camper special (auto) and frame from K-20, stick shift. Truck still has the auto-column sleeve (no auto-shifter), and the starter shut off still works (or worked a few years back...need to repair).

So basically I park the truck in granny low, and slide the column shifter ring just off of "P." Even with the key, you can't start the truck.

Handed my brother the keys one day and said, start her up. He spent better part of 15 minutes confused and trying to figure it out. Never did.

Sometimes it is the simple things...

[hwyix]

I just purchases a 72 2wd blazer. This truck has to be the easiest thing to steal. I am assume the trucks are the same. Mine does not have a steering lock, the ignition switch is in the dash and the wires are EASY to get at it. This must be the car they use in all the movies to steal in 30 seconds are less.

Since the truck has a mechanical fuel pump, and no computer what is the kill switch going to do for you?

I have been trying to figure a good way to enjoy my truck with the top off and go to movies for two hours. haha. Right now I only feel comfortable parking it some place I can always see it. Kind of takes the joy out of owning it

[jeffahart]

Redundancy is the key; it causes the thief to take more time; time is on your side not the thieves.

1) Something that makes noise, can be as simple as cans or cow bells hitting the ground when they open the door. Now they have to move fast.

2) steering lock. Yea, it can be cut. But bring your tools and spend the extra few seconds to cut it.

3) Power cut off, spend a few more seconds to rewire or find the switch.

4) fuel cutoff, spend time to find it also.

each attempt causes cranking the engine, more noise and more pressure for the SOB thief.

If they really want it they will get it. But if they have to work too hard they will get something else.

I know most of our trucks our worth more to us than the SOB thief. That's why deterrents work.

Nothing I hate worse than a thief!!!!

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by hwyix

Since the truck has a mechanical fuel pump, and no computer what is the kill switch going to do for you?

It cuts the power to the ignition, so even if they could get it to crank, it still would not start.

[cleanfreak]

I've figured out how to lock the e-brake lever on both my 68 and my 69 (hand and foot e-brake). Simple to bypass , but at that time the thief should be running and not moving , leaving him noticable, time to bail out and move on. Hope I never have to prove this theory....

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

I've figured out how to lock the e-brake lever on both my 68 and my 69 (hand and foot e-brake). Simple to bypass , but at that time the thief should be running and not moving , leaving him noticable, time to bail out and move on. Hope I never have to prove this theory....

Do tell.. How do you lock the brake lever? I agree with hwyix, our trucks are too easy to steal without preventative measures.

If I can save just one truck with this post, then it was all worth it!

I'm glad this thread has hit 3 pages, keep up the good posts !
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[hwyix]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

It cuts the power to the ignition, so even if they could get it to crank, it still would not start.

True, but on a old truck that is just any easy jumper wire from the battery.

Has anybody converted to electric fuel pump for the theft deterrent?

Do the removal steering wheels help at all or are they only a few brands out there so it would be easy for a thief to bring one.

I am on a lot of car message board. Seems like a lot of the hot rods the car was cased out first before stolen.

Maybe the only true piece of mind is full coverage car insurance
I am not going to shoot somebody for stealing my car.

[69Rumbler]

Any one every tried an Ravelco
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[OSM 70 C20]

The general appearance of my truck is the greatest theft deterrent. Also, I don't rev my engine or do anything to let my neighbors know there are pretty shinies under the hood. Jocko, AWESOME picture!!! A smile like that would make me think twice.

[bugmasta]

[502ms]

My truck Lays frame and has several things in place to prevent starting, moving and towing. Plus it stays in the garage and when I'm out I have a .40 on me at all times.
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[BlackedOut67shorty]

I feel confident that people would rather steal a Honda civic rather than my fourty year old truck. I usually always try to keep it in a highly populated area, car jackers don't like being seen trying to Jack any car
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[Andy4639]

Looking for a good (and cheap) theft deterrent! Such as a remote kill switch, hidden battery disconnect, starter cutout, hydraulic wheel lock, alarm system, whatcha got? Show me how your truck can't get stolen when you're not around!

Insurance doesn't apply to your question u asked.

It doesn't keep the truck from being stolen what so ever.

Would I shoot some one that is caught red handed steeling my truck..u dang right I would, would I shoot them to kill no but I would stop them in their tracks if possible.

[1leglance]

Andy I don't mean to pick on you but a good review of case law should be in order for you.
If you are going to shoot someone it is because you "are in fear for your life or the life of others".
You can NEVER shoot to wound, always it is shoot to kill as your intent. Otherwise you will be the one on court & maybe jail.
Yeah I know our system sucks that way but I recommend research for everyone so they understand the right words to use and what their local & state laws are regarding firearm use.

[Andy4639]

I know the laws, and yes you stand a good chance of going to court.


But who is to say I aimed at his heart and hit him in the leg. No one knows that but the person pulling the trigger.
I'll take my chances if that's what it boils down to.

[lap15]

Best theft deterrent is always a dog. Even if it's not vicious, most people will not open a car door when they see a dog inside. I personally would pull the coil wire- easy to carry in your pocket. A friend of mine somehow got his key stuck in his ignition and rather than fixing it just hung a rag in the window as if the truck was broken down. Never had it stolen...but it was a work truck, not a show truck.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by lap15

Best theft deterrent is always a dog. Even if it's not vicious, most people will not open a car door when they see a dog inside. I personally would pull the coil wire- easy to carry in your pocket. A friend of mine somehow got his key stuck in his ignition and rather than fixing it just hung a rag in the window as if the truck was broken down. Never had it stolen...but it was a work truck, not a show truck.

Hey Lap15, a dog is a good deterrent but you can't go to the movies in June and leave him in the truck. I was thinking some type of lock or ignition cut out or something to that effect.
Hey, how about a sheriffs department sticker in the back window?

[Andy4639]

U people must not love your animals as much as u think. Leaving a poor animal in a cab with the windows up even if they aren't all the way up is very cruel to the animal. I would never leave my dogs in my vehicle for no reason. That's just wrong!

If your that scared of leaving your truck stay home. I would rather the truck get stolen than for me to find my loved one dead inside the cab because of me leaving him are her.

[lap15]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

U people must not love your animals as much as u think. Leaving a poor animal in a cab with the windows up even if they aren't all the way up is very cruel to the animal. I would never leave my dogs in my vehicle for no reason. That's just wrong!

If your that scared of leaving your truck stay home. I would rather the truck get stolen than for me to find my loved one dead inside the cab because of me leaving him are her.

Relax people. I would never leave my dog in my truck with the windows up and truck parked in the middle of a mall lot when it's 100 degrees out. Common sense prevails. When the dog is with me it's usually for small runs and weather permitting. Both windows are down all the way and the slider open~hence commenting on this post. The dog will sit in the driver seat and wait for me. It's funny seeing her head stick up behind the wheel.

[BruthaMan]

Originally Posted by lap15

Relax people. I would never leave my dog in my truck with the windows up and truck parked in the middle of a mall lot when it's 100 degrees out. Common sense prevails. When the dog is with me it's usually for small runs and weather permitting. Both windows are down all the way and the slider open~hence commenting on this post. The dog will sit in the driver seat and wait for me. It's funny seeing her head stick up behind the wheel.

Heh, my dog is the same. If I put shoes on, she starts doing the "twirly" dance and is ready to go. I usually only make short trips, like a ten minute trip to the store for milk, fresh tortillas or something. On those short trips, she rides, day/night, heat cold.

If I'm going to be out longer than 30 minutes or so and it's in the heat of the day, she stays home, otherwise, she thinks it's her truck and I'm the chauffeur.

Back to the topic: Something often overlooked in terms of deterrent is risk avoidance in terms of location. Not everyone has that option, to be sure.

A good neighborhood, away from apartment complexes and high traffic areas, where the cost of living is low and the chances of living are high, goes a long way towards helping prevent thefts.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I remember 2 things the PO of my '71 Jimmy did:
1 -- He removed the relay rods to the Button/Door lock mechanism, deleted the pull-up buttons, and kept the doors locked. His wife had a car key and let herself in when he picked her up.
2 -- He installed a ring bolt thru the Hood Latch Support and a slim chain thru holes near the center of the hood and padlocked it, after disconnecting the battery.
Of course, out-of-sight-out-of-mind, it seems like he never changed his oil as a result. ["Where is that d@nm key?!!"] And since I don't live in South Central LA, I restored the Relay Rods in the door and quit locking the hood, so I could check the oil on a regular basis.
I only leave my dog in the truck on cool days or nights [which are a lot cooler than daytime in Tucson] and the windows are always open. She really enjoys going for a ride and feels hurt when I tell her 'no she can't come this time.'

[jjzepplin]

This might be overkill-But I have a hidden switch for the electric fuel pump-Hidden switch for the HEI wire-Put the transfer case in Neutral (after setting the parking brake) Then put the crawl box in Neutral-Then put the transmission shifter in Drive and then put the Club on the steering wheel and remove the battery when at the boat launch- and have a few rifle shells and 9mm shells laying around. Sometimes I even forget all the deterrents. AND if that doesn't stop them, When they fire up that loud a$$ 406ci it should scare them right out of the truck as the try to figure out how to get it in some sort of gear. How much you wanna bet they try to take off in the crawling gear? And then I catch them by walking right up to them and ask" What were you thinking?"

[leftybass209]

I think most has been covered. Good insurance is the best way, and gps tracking is a close second. Disabling coils, and battery disconnects helps a lot also. Remember, most thieves want in and out QUICK! Any time spent messing with trying to get it started is a chance of getting caught. I love all the gun comments though. While i'm a huge advocate for gun rights, a thief will always be faster than you waking up, taking your weapon out of a safe or removing the lock that SHOULD be on it, loading and firing. Or better yet, the gun at home in the safe wont protect your truck in the store parking lot.
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