Anti theft measures?

[GECCO]

Hello out there in TDR land... .



I just aquired (well, I pick it up the 25th) an 05 2500. There was a similar truck stolen here in Fort Collins recently and that has been on my mind.



I'm curious what anti-theft measures you all have come up with. I am mainly thinking about inexpensive "home remedies", not an alarm or something like the club, etc.



I'm thinking of adding a hidden rocker switch somewhere in the cab that disables one of the fuel pump circuits. It seems the best would be to disable the high pressure rail pump, but being a nOOb I'm not sure is there is a downside to the possibility of cranking the engine without any rail pressure or any other aspect of that plan.



Or, is there a downside to disabling the pump in the tank? Obviously if someone tries to steal the truck it would run for a couple blocks until the line ran dry, as opposed to never even starting with the rail disabled.



I also assume there is a switch somewhere in the transmission linkage (automatic) that only allows the starter to crank if it is in 'park' or 'neutral'. I suppose that circuit could also be disabled with a hidden switch so the motor never even cranks.



Any other ideas?

 

[REFLOYD]

there is a clutch loop wire that when a switch is put in the circuit would disable the starter. just like on a stick without pussing the clutch in.

 

[Joe G.]

I use two switches for theft delay. One works like the shift lever is not in the N or P position. The other kills the fuel supply. One is hidden in plain sight on my switch panel. The other is out of sight and you have to know exactly where it is to get your finger on it. Some members have set up a magnetic switch so that a magnet must be pressed against a place on the kick panel in order to start the truck.

 

[DBogo]

make a boobie trap around the truck :-laf seriously though you could put a hidden master switch on it

 

[SConklin]

My first truck, a 1500, had a cool security system on it that no one else had ever seen, and I haven't since. The ignition circuit wouldn't close unless you held the high beams lever back at the same time you turned the key. I thought it was a great idea, and I doubt any thief would think of that.

 

[Grizzly]

Get a steering wheel Club. At least it will keep the Want-A Bee's from taking it.

 

[klenger]

I've asked the following question on several occasions, but have never gotten a response:



Has anyone ever heard of a Dodge truck being stollen that had the factory security system (chipped key) installed? My understanding is that w/o the key, the truck will not run.

 

[MMcfall]

In my military life, one of my responsibilities fall to managing a small fleet of 55 late model Dodge cars in Tampa FL. All have the "chipped" keys. Have had two attempted thefts with no success. Only down side was that there was between $1500 and $2000 in damage to the door, dash and steering column from them trying to take them. Be aware - the chipped keys/locks are expensive to replace. $500 + just to replace the door locks, ignition lock, two keys and fobs.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I was just discussing this the other night with a friend of mine. I had a relative who had a setup where you had to hold the up window switch while starting, otherwise it would blow the horn! I've seen another setup where the CC button had to be pushed to start.



My friend told me that those were pretty common and when he was in high school working for an auto detail place, the window buttons and cruise control buttons were the first things that they would try when they would go to move a car and it wouldn't start. I mentioned breaking the clutch switch to him and he thought that was a good idea, said he'd never heard of that.



I'd like to get some more ideas like killing the fuel system. My problem is I don't want to have to hide a switch and make it look obvious that I have to trigger something to start the truck. I had one like that on an old truck. It was hidden in the glove box. Didn't use it except for at night. The high beam switch might be an idea, it would be unnoticeable while starting.

 

[MFalkinham]

I've asked the following question on several occasions, but have never gotten a response:

Has anyone ever heard of a Dodge truck being stollen that had the factory security system (chipped key) installed? My understanding is that w/o the key, the truck will not run.

I've never heard of one, klenger. There are rumors that some theives now have the technology to beat these, but I really doubt it happens. I think a tow truck is the only realistic way to steal a chipped vehicle, so I won't buy a car unless it has a factory Sentry-type system installed. As far as damage caused during the attempt, that's what insurance is for.

 

[Joe G.]

Get a steering wheel Club. At least it will keep the Want-A Bee's from taking it.

A club can be defeated in about 15 seconds. All the car thieves know how to do it.

 

[MMcfall]

How about a 1/2 pound of C4 under the drivers seat wired to the ignition!! Oo. One thief one vehicle - and since there are far more vehicles then thieves, in a month or two all the thieves will be GONE. Oo.



Think of it this way - if your truck is stolen by a pro, the chances of you getting it back are slim to none anyway. This way the perp is caught red handed, no expensive trial (where he will probably just get a slap on the wrist and back on the street doing it again) - No expensive stay in at the local holiday prison inn at our expense - and you get a new truck to boot. I see it as win win all around.



Only down side is if you forget to disarm it when you get in Could really ruin your day.

 

[RickL]

1/2 pound?! Are you trying to take out the crook or half of the cars in the lot?

 

[MMcfall]

Yep - 1/2 pound... want to make sure I get him AND all of his running mates standing in the vicinity helping him. Same cost, better return!! Side beni is that since there will be nothing left of him... no expensive casket to buy. Oo. Oo.

 

[Sixpack]

I let my brother to drive my truck a while back and instead of unlocking the doors with the fob, he used the key in the door... ... the horn sounded and in a panic (we were in a campground) tried to start the truck so it would stop honking, the truck would start and then die. Finally locked and unlocked using the fob and everything went back to normal. Yes my truck has the factory "anti-theft" option. FWIW

 

[Grizzly]

A club can be defeated in about 15 seconds. All the car thieves know how to do it.

Still works with "Want A Bee's". If nothing else, it is still a visual effect and may make some would be theft think twice about spending the little extra time it takes to disable the Club. Plus I believe the Club manufacture still pay's you some amount of money if your vehicle is stolen while locked with the Club.

 

[CPG]

Klenger, I bought our truck from one of the largest dealers here in the Bay Area. I know some of the tech's well. The factory security system is pretty trustworthy. Myself, I have shook myself up twice opening the door when the window was down with my Wife in the truck locked. The honking would have chased the dead away until I found out my mistake. My belief is if the security system is used consistently, its better than nothing. If one is determined, an expert can steal from anyone.