Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Someone tried to steal my truck last night

[GrantP]

I went out to my driveway this morning and found the passenger door handle and key slot completely mangled/busted.



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Fortunately, for whatever reason, they didn't get inside the truck. I just have a busted door handle, mangled lock, and a big dent in the door (at least I still have the truck). After 9 years in the same home this is the first time I've ever had any theft/vandalism problems so it was quite a shock. The police came out but couldn't find any fingerprints to pull from the door. I was warned by the officer that car theft has gone up dramatically recently around Phoenix. The officer suggested that the would be thieves likely didn't care about anything in the truck, they wanted the *whole* truck to steal and later strip or take to Mexico.



Obviously I've been thinking about anti-theft devices all day and was wondering if anyone has hooked up a switch/relay to their shutdown solenoid to prevent the truck from starting if someone did get inside. If anyone has done this and can share (or point me to) a wiring schematic to hook this up I'd greatly appreciate it. Just a simple switch hidden in the cab to prevent the solenoid from pulling up ought to do the trick.



Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim McCarty]

I'd also be interested in doing this mod. Even though my truck gets garaged at night, you never know when you'll have to park in a less than desireable area for a game or concert or appointment, etc. Looking forward to responses. Jim

 

[telliott]

along with you guys, i wouldnt mind doing something like this. There are several threads with some info on this already if you do a search. Here is one of many that may help.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...49211-just-installed-secret-start-button.html

 

[Grizzly]

I like the large sign I saw on the back window of a truck that read;



CAUTION, PET RATTLESNAKE INSIDE

 

[icman95]

Back in October, I was in a thread regarding devices used to track a stolen truck. Might want to take a read here...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...try-key-question-thinking-getting-lojack.html



Also, if you have a Lojack installed, you can get it with a security system that will shut down the starter.

 

[EKlem]

Unfortunately, since 12Vers are so simple, a knowledgeable thief will have no problems with most things you can do to it. Depending on how bold they are(are they willing to lift the hood), wiring up the shutdown and putting a screwdriver across the starter solenoid will get one running in no time.

I wonder whether some of those devices like the bar that mounts to your steering wheel would be more effective?

In the newer trucks, there are so many more electrical things required to get them running, hiding a switch is much more effective.

 

[GrantP]

Unfortunately, since 12Vers are so simple, a knowledgeable thief will have no problems with most things you can do to it. Depending on how bold they are(are they willing to lift the hood), wiring up the shutdown and putting a screwdriver across the starter solenoid will get one running in no time.



I wonder whether some of those devices like the bar that mounts to your steering wheel would be more effective?



In the newer trucks, there are so many more electrical things required to get them running, hiding a switch is much more effective.

I'm not suggesting that this is a theft proof mod, just another prevention device. IMHO, a knowledgeable thief would've figured out how to open the door and take the truck. I just want to give a potential thief one more hurdle to overcome that will likely stop 99% of them. Not to mention I'll be able to hear the truck turning over but not starting. If someone is serious and knows their stuff, yes they *can* steal it and there is very little I can do to prevent it.

 

[robbiesworld]

When the retarded jerk offs tried stealing my truck they blew out my rear quarter window,dented the cab fron prying it out with a one inch breaker bar,destroyed my column all while stepping over my transmission sitting on a pallet next to the driver door... ... I wonder why it never started! haha

 

[HBarlow]

I like the large sign I saw on the back window of a truck that read;

CAUTION, PET RATTLESNAKE INSIDE

That makes a good joke but probably wouldn't be very effective for deterring theft by peasants who don't speak or read English and who may not be impressed since they may have recently walked across a desert inhabited by rattlesnakes.

 

[RShipp]

Just put a toggle switch up inder the dash inline with the solenoid wire. The switch will either open or close the circuit.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

theft prevention

I have heard that the door handle is the easiest place to break in. I have not done it yet but I intend to put a sheet metal plate behind the loch mechanism and rod. This has been done on Cadillacs for years. Then if they try to break in at the door handle all you will have is a little body damage. Just ny . 02

 

[LVJUNIOR]

Sorry for the spelling errors. I typed that on ny phone

 

[Joe G.]

I wonder whether some of those devices like the bar that mounts to your steering wheel would be more effective?

The bar takes only a few seconds to defeat. Cut the steering wheel next to the bar. Then it's easy to pry it out.



I have two theft delay switches. Ask EKlem says, they can steal a 12 valve pretty easy if they know how the truck works.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

our trucks are too simple

Unfortunately as far as theft goes our trucks are very simple. You can put an in line toggle on the solanoid or on the ignition wire to the starter and that is about it. Your best bet is to do both and buy good insurance.

 

[seafish]

I had one of these installed--http://www.ravelco.com/

AND I am going to install these on my door handles--
http://www.jimmijammer.com/JJ description, 072200.htm

BOTH seem to be well made products that when used will help a truck from getting stolen.

I also try to park in places that are not easy for a flatbed tow truck to pull up in front of or behind me, and also curb my wheels, to make it harder for the truck to be towed away.

 

[hsmith]

Better yet, years ago while I lived in Houston, where I couldn't even buy theft ins, I installed a 12v solenoid valve in the fuel line back at the tank with a hidden switch.

 

[Grizzly]

That makes a good joke but probably wouldn't be very effective for deterring theft by peasants who don't speak or read English and who may not be impressed since they may have recently walked across a desert inhabited by rattlesnakes.

Hmm, how do you say rattlesnake in spanish?

 

[WStrmiska]

My pickup is protected by a female rattle snake with aids.

 

[Matt42]

There's quite a bit that one can do to protect a 12 valve. Not everything has to do with kill switches. Some of them can be a lot of fun. The idea is to make your truck seem more difficult to steal, so that the @#&* miscreant will steal someone else's truck. There is so much money in drug trafficking and human cargo that they will steal a truck.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

The simplest theft prevention would seem to be take the batteries with you… most of the kill switches as noted can be defeated. Now, since we CAN'T takewith - how does one wire a security kill system that blocks out a major segment of battery cable. They probably didn't think to bring 4ga wire and with no juice - no start! A smaller 12V cell would be floated to keep radio, etc powered for memory.