2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How to avoid losing your spare tire.....

[Casey Ray]

and I'm not talking about your love handles.



Any ideas on how to prevent someone from just lowering the spare tire and making off with it? What are you guys doing to prevent theft?



New tires and now I'm sweatin it here in So Cal.



Casey

 

[AMink]

I run a cable through the middle of the spare and around the frame. I use a pad lock, but a heavy bike cable lock would work too.

 

[metal tech]

I use a cable lock from Brinks I think. Got it from Lowes or Home Depot. It's around 1/2" dia. Looped it over the crossmember above the spare and then thru the holes on the wheel. Someone can't just lower the spare and walk off with it, and if I catch someone under my truck, well your in a real bad spot for a quick get away.

 

[Nate]

I just have a junk tire/wheel as a spare. Don't think anyone would want it enough to steal it. Actually a Ford steelie :-laf

 

[FishDoc]

Dodge sells (sold) a kit for this. Mine consisted or a crank like the locks for lug nuts, outboard locks, etc.

 

[Grizzly]

I use a short piece of heavy chain and a 8 pin MasterLock through the frame and center of rim.

 

[Joe Mc]

http://www.accessconnect.com/prod04.htm



This not only keeps the thieves from getting it but, the only thing holding your spare in place right now is a stranded cable that's . . . how many years old? How hard do we drive our trucks? Hmmmm, when was the last time I cranked down that old spare and cleaned the cable? $30 - cheap insurance - or $100 + for new spare & wheel . . . Had mine for many miles.

 

[Casey Ray]

http://www.accessconnect.com/prod04.htm



This not only keeps the thieves from getting it but, the only thing holding your spare in place right now is a stranded cable that's . . . how many years old? How hard do we drive our trucks? Hmmmm, when was the last time I cranked down that old spare and cleaned the cable? $30 - cheap insurance - or $100 + for new spare & wheel . . . Had mine for many miles.

Joe,



Checked out the web site and for the Dodge 2500 - 3500 the years are 2003-2005, yet I see your truck is a 1999. Should work on my 2002? I'll contact them in the morning.



Thanks,



Casey

 

[Bob4x4]

http://www.accessconnect.com/prod04.htm



This not only keeps the thieves from getting it but, the only thing holding your spare in place right now is a stranded cable that's . . . how many years old? How hard do we drive our trucks? Hmmmm, when was the last time I cranked down that old spare and cleaned the cable? $30 - cheap insurance - or $100 + for new spare & wheel . . . Had mine for many miles.

That looks nice as long as it doesnt freeze up or corrode or worse yet loose the key. :{



Bob

 

[Island Dodge]

On mine the PO took care of the potential "rip off problem" by simply installing a padlock hasp over the cranking hole and using a padlock.

 

[CarlJensen]

Don't forget the locking fuel cap to keep people from putting things IN (any good fuel thief can get it off in a heartbeat) and acouple of rods in the groove for the slider window to keep anyone out of the cab from that route. All most forgot, you need a plate welded or epoxied in just below the door handle mechanisim on the inside lest a screwdriver punched through there to open the door.

 

[Mundgyver]

We need pics of these mods. Oo.

 

[Casey Ray]

Don't forget the locking fuel cap to keep people from putting things IN (any good fuel thief can get it off in a heartbeat) and acouple of rods in the groove for the slider window to keep anyone out of the cab from that route. All most forgot, you need a plate welded or epoxied in just below the door handle mechanisim on the inside lest a screwdriver punched through there to open the door.

Thanks Carl,



Great, now I've got more things to sweat out here in So. Cal.



BTW, what is a padlock hasp?



Casey

 

[ProMac1K]

This not only keeps the thieves from getting it but, the only thing holding your spare in place right now is a stranded cable that's . . . how many years old? How hard do we drive our trucks? Hmmmm, when was the last time I cranked down that old spare and cleaned the cable?

Exactly! My truck came with just a frayed end of the cable, and NO SPARE. Either it came off going down the road for a previous owner, or else a previous owner had trouble getting it out of the holder and cut the cable. Either way, it cost me a rim (and one of my old tires). I was lucky that I didn't need a spare (and haven't yet) before I put on a new set of tires. Had some deflating problems with my old tires but luckily it was in the duals. Turns out the valve stems were faulty. Happened to the one side, then in a matter of a week or something it happened to the other side.

 

[Grizzly]

As long as we are securing our gas caps, spare tires, door locks and tailgates another thing to do is cover up the vin # in the dash at the lower left hand corner of the windshield. Thieves have taken the vin # from cars and trucks and walked into any dealer and told them that they locked or lost there keys and request they make another key from the vin #. Some dealers have made such keys without question. I keep my vin# covered by sliping a 3 x 5 index card over it.

 

[Mundgyver]

VIN# That is an eye opener. I would not have thought about that

 

[Bob4x4]

Don't forget the locking fuel cap to keep people from putting things IN (any good fuel thief can get it off in a heartbeat) and acouple of rods in the groove for the slider window to keep anyone out of the cab from that route. All most forgot, you need a plate welded or epoxied in just below the door handle mechanisim on the inside lest a screwdriver punched through there to open the door.

That door handle idea is a good one,the factory alarm is turned off that way also. I have repaired a few recovered vehicles taken that way.



Bob

 

[ProMac1K]

Explain more on that door handle safety, please. Not fully understanding it. Where do they punch the screwdriver in? I'm just curious so I know if it's something that "really" should be done.



Thanks

 

[JL penner]

I just have a junk tire/wheel as a spare. Don't think anyone would want it enough to steal it. Actually a Ford steelie :-laf

You'd be surprised. I had an old 79 chevy sitting out in front of my Dad's place with a "For Sale" sign in the window and some low life snagged the spare. It was old, cracked and low on tread, and they still stole it! :{

 

[Bob4x4]

Explain more on that door handle safety, please. Not fully understanding it. Where do they punch the screwdriver in? I'm just curious so I know if it's something that "really" should be done.



Thanks

If you jam a screwdriver under the outside handle you can unlock the door and turn off the factory alarm in one swift move... ... . no glass breakage,no alarm sound



Bob.