2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Break and enter........

[Ian]

Thursday (Jan 9) afternoon there was an attempt made to steal my truck.



The driver's door handle/lock Assembly was forced, probably with a screwdriver, but while it moved out a bit, it didn't fail. The sliding windows in the back window were next on the list, they were forced apart with a screwdriver, someone reached inside, opened the driver's door then broke out the ignition lock assembly and attempted a start with a screwdriver. Fortunately the factory alarm (which was probably already blowing the horn) shut the fuel off at the fuel control unit and the truck wouldn't start.

When I unlocked the truck to drive away, as soon as I opened the door the horn started. Thinking I'd accidentally bumped the remote panic button, I silenced the horn then went to put the key in the ignition, but all of the guts were broken and lying on the mat.



No matter how secure we make our vehicles, if someone wants in bad enough, they probably will succeed.



If you have the two sliding windows in the back window of your truck, look at getting a couple of slider window stops available at a hardware store or laying small rods in the tracks, the way you'd block a patio door at home.



One estimate for repairs was at least $1,000, fortunately 100% covered by insurance.

 

[Josparkz]

Bummer.

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by Ian





No matter how secure we make our vehicles, if someone wants in bad enough, they probably will succeed.



If you have the two sliding windows in the back window of your truck, look at getting a couple of slider window stops available at a hardware store or laying small rods in the tracks, the way you'd block a patio door at home.

Glad to hear that they did not get away with your baby.



But like you said above, if they want in, they will get in and a couple rods in the slider track will not stop them. Locks only keep the honest people out.



A buddy of mine had the radio and other miscellaneous crap stolen out of his Cherokee 5 times at his apartment complex. Each time they broke the either the wing vent window or the little narrow one in the back. After the third time he quit locking the doors and they still would break the windows.

 

[TnLRacing]

 

[ntillm01]

As painful a story it is, thanks for the report. When they want in, they'll break whatever they have to. On the brighter side, the system's fuel shut down clearly works. Short of a wrecker, I can take peace of mind knowing they won't take the whole truck.



ps- I think the horn blows when you unlock it (legitimately) to let you know someone has broken in.

 

[2ndgen2500]

i hate how dishonest people are im glad they didnt get away with your truck.

 

[Stroker Smoker]

Fuel Shut-off Selonid Anti-Theft Switch

I have been thinking about adding a hidden switch than controls the fuel shutoff solenoid to help avoid the possibility if vehicle theft.



Has anybody done this before?



Was just wandering which wire going to the solenoid would be the best one to splice into since there are 3 wires (if I remember correctly)



Thanks Phill

 

[Ian]

Comments

Many thanks for the comments over the attempted theft of my truck last week.

Couple of notes re the comments above.

1. Yes, when I unlocked the truck, the horn did start sounding, indicating as someone mentioned, an alert to me that the vehicle had been violated.

2. Rather than try and find a disabling wire to the fuel control, consider a starter disable system.

Once my truck is back from the repair shop later this week I'm going to have installed a starter disable system. System comes with a small sensor hidden under the dash somewhere, pass a plastic tab with a computer chip inbedded (attached to your key ring) in it over the sensor, starter will work for about a minute.

 

[Bart]

Ian, is this a commerially available unit you're talking about? If so where can a guy get one?

 

[SBrandon]

Thats too bad, I usually leave my doors unlocked and the keys in my ignition, this aids the robber from haveing to destroy good parts like door handles windows ignitions. Locks only keep the honest man honest, and like ian said "if they want it bad enough they will get it. " I guess this is why I have insurance.

 

[WadePatton]

If you have a manual transmission, tap into the clutch switch wire for a no-start trick.

 

[Woodenhead]

I usually leave my doors unlocked and the keys in my ignition,

I've been told some insurance won't pay if you leave the keys in the vehicle when it's stolen. I guess they'd have to prove it which means finding it back but it's something to condider.



Mike

 

[mberry]

Originally posted by Bart

Ian, is this a commerially available unit you're talking about? If so where can a guy get one?

You can get a system like this from just about anywhere that sells automotive alarm systems. I've been waiting to get mine for too long.



Glad to hear they didn't get the truck though.