A little extra security in an insecure world

[Deezal Man]

Yesterday I had to leave my truck at the train station. . The alternative was to find a parking spot in center city Philadelphia.
NOT!!

Anyway, I had a few moments before the train came... . and I got to thinking.

What if I pulled the Starter solenoid and ECM relay out of the distribution box...

I tried to start it. It didn't even make a "clicking" sound. #ad
#ad


Am I wrong in thinking that NO-ONE would have been able to drive away with my baby?

Notice I have the computer controlled 24v.

Doing this wasn't very convenient, but its worth the hassle if I have to leave it at the airport or train station for a while.

Better than the possible alternative.

Thoughts?

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98. 5' Emerald Green 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), AMSOIL air filter.

[This message has been edited by Deezal Man (edited 03-22-2001). ]

 

[Straight6Jeff]

Deezel Man,

I have pulled the fuel pump relay out of mine when I have to park in Boston. I put a Blown relay in it's place so that there is not an obvious hole in the box. Setting the e-brake helps. Also, when I had my Chebby, i would set the e-brake (with the BRAKE indicateor light removed). This actually saved the truck from getting stolen. I guess after holding the gas to the floor and having the truck hardly move, teh crooks gave up.

The best crook story I ahve is when i lived in Delaware. I had my 15 foot Burmese Python in the back of the cab, and a habitual theif broke in to steal my stereo. He tore out my amp and head unit before my Python latched onto his torso and proceded to curl him up into a little ball. My neighbor alerted me to the situation. Luckily, the rats i was planning to feed the python were more appealing to it. The now in pain theif (4 broken ribs and a messed pair of skivvies) freely admitted to his mistake.

There is justice #ad


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01 2500 V-10 4x2 QC/LB, 4. 10, Ruenel Bumper/brush guard, RS 9000's, 2" frt springs 1500#/in, KC Daylighters, Rhino Liner, Spin Tech Muffler, DD 4" Tail, 265 BFG A/T, Lots more to come

 

[ReggieRam]

Love the python story!

We had a little problem with some little monsters driving through the neighborhood egging all the cars, my brand new 3500 being among them! So I slept in the bed in a lounge for four nights (thank God it was summer!) in the bed of the truck. When the little *******s came by again finally, I sat up, drawing down my shotgun, and pointed it at the windshield. Needless to say, the egging stopped, and I could sleep in my own bed peacefully again.

Stopping thieves and vandals takes a little bit of ingenuity these days, but I definitely think that making your truck absolutely impossible to start is the way to go. What you did makes more sense to me than trying to carry around both batteries in a backpack.

 

[Bent6]

Deezal Man,
I do the same thing. We travel all over the country drag racing. Never have liked the thought of coming out the next morning to have my truck, trailer, and race car all gone. I have heard of this happening to several racers. I pull either the starter relay or the injection pump relay. Someone would have to really know what they were doing to figure this out and if they're that smart, they're probably going to get it anyway!

------------------
Will
'98 3500 24v, auto, 4. 10s, stock - for now!
38' United Expressline
X-treme Gooseneck race car hauler.

Other Bad Habit:
'87 Buick Regal
Turbo V-6 1400hp, 1200ft/lbs
4. 99 @ 142MPH 1/8 mile
7. 70 @ 179MPH 1/4 mile
And lookin' for more!

SO I'M A TURBO MAN!

 

[NWright]

I bought a starter relay that has a remote control that you plug into the cigarette lighter . I saved the old relay in a good clean dry place in case it was to go bad. It's simple just remove the starter relay and install the new one.
Cost $54. 95 from Vandal Alert 1-800-382-7233.
It's no good if the thief carries a spare relay with him .
Nathan


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Nathan Wright

2001. 5 2500 QC auto 355 4" from Resonator back,TORO-Line gauges,D-Celerator exhaust brake, Tool box with a 24 gal tank under it, 2meter and CB radio ,GPS III, 5000 watt generator. Pull a 30 ft Shadow Cruiser 5th wheel and a 18 ft bass boat.

 

[merryman]

Being much opposed to the idea of finding someone had borrowed my truck, I wired a push-button switch into the wire from the ignition to the starter relay ( actually where that wire runs from the power dist. center on the left fender under the hood to the relay), and mounted the button low on the left side of the drivers seat. The wires from under the hood run under the carpet and come up under the seat. It looks like it would be part of seat control. In order to crank the engine, the button must be held down. No amount of in cab work will start the engine, and most street crooks won't hang around long enough to try to sort out under hood wiring.

Vaughn

 

[illflem]

You can also do as Vaughn did by wiring in a switch in series with the clutch safety switch, ATs have a jumper in the location where the clutch linkage would have been, very easy to get at without running wires into the engine compartment. If a thief really wants your rig they'll just winch it on a trailer, I guess this is getting more common.

My best thief story was when I was parked alongside Hwy 1 at the beach in So Cal. I came back to my truck and found a guy working under the dash, when I surprised him he jumped out the door right into a van going 50 mph. Didn't kill him, but he wished he was dead, he was in real bad shape, I still pressed charges.
Instant karma.

 

[rogerblind]

Anyone want to save me pulling out the service manual? Where exactly are these relays I should pull when I leave my truck at the airport for a week next Tuesday?

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Y2K 2500 4X4 LB QC Auto Trans

 

[jeepit]

Also be aware of your spare tire hanging there. In chicago the theifs come by in airport parking lots, slide underneath, cut the cable , and leave you with no spare.

 

[Sled Puller]

Maybe we should do this in private e-mail so the thieves who have computers don't get too many details!
Gene

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Originally posted by Deezal Man:
What if I pulled the Starter solenoid and ECM relay out of the distribution box... Thoughts?

<font color = blue> Am I missing something here? Like most TDR members, I consider the investment in my truck to be substantial and have got a decent Thatcham Class 1 alarm and imobilizer. Am I in the minority?

Over here in Europe, my alarm is hooked upto the GPS satellite system to give you vehicle location accuracy, second to none, since the US military lifted the accuracy limitations a few months ago... . so if it is disturbed, moved, or is lifted or towed, then the alarm company calls me on my cellular and then the APB goes out and the rest is history. #ad


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JMc

2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, Camper Special & Trailer Tow Groups , Sliding Rear Window, WAAG sidetubes with dually kickouts, Line-X UTR Bedliner & underseal, Grover Airhorns, Lance 1130 slide-in Camper, 60 gallon Aerotank, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch, Roadmaster XX, in planning stages... . HX35/14cms turbo, SPA Dual Gauges, Mag-Hytec, Exhaust Brake with Bill K. mods, DD 4" exhaust, DD2s, Rickson 19. 5" wheels, , Bill K. VB & TC.

[This message has been edited by JohnMcIntyre (edited 03-24-2001). ]