2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ram's easy to steal?

[CRegal]

Hey guys, after reading this post, I ended up locking my keys in the truck by accident. I remebered this post & how easy someone said they could unlock with a slimjim. So not having one handy, but there is always a wire coat hanger around, I undid the hanger & put in down the weather strip.



It took me no more then 10 seconds to pop the lock. Man I was amazed!! I have never ever opened a locked car that fast.



fwiw... ... .



That will make me think twice about leaving valuables inside of it. I think I will also install a fuel cutoff valve as well.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Repo man, please chime in again.....

Originally posted by K_Arts



So what happens if a car theif goes in and disables it? Does it automatically respond via backup battey? I'd like some more information on that unit... Kev

Kev, you mean after the scumbag has got inside the vehicle, which at this stage has already sent a stealth alarm to GPS tracking, my cellphone and the police have been informed? (And yes there are battery backups). Not to mention twin Grovers (they yodel now, since I came back from Austria last month ) at full sustained blast.



Imaagine the scenario... inside the cab,you have an ear-splitting SPL of +150dB at less than 1 meter, the electrics are all isolated (Check out the Thatcham cat 1 spec) and you're going nowhere fast plus you're the center of attention thanks to them 1609s in full song and you're still hanging around? Let's get the Repo man back from earlier in this thread to comment on the success factor on outsmarting (just) a Thatcham cat 1 system... . don't hold your breath though!!

The cat 1 spec also allows for concealed mercury sensor switches (tow/lift prevention) and discrete variances in reference voltages, all of which will produce the desired effect.



JMc

 

[K_Arts]

John, That sounds too cool... How about sending some of that technology our way???

 

[illflem]

Be careful. After getting ripped off several times my farmer neighbor installed a 150 decibel alarm in his shop, "caught" one of his employees returning some tools he used during the day at work. Hate to deafen one of your kids or get sued by a thief for ear damage. Unfortunately the courts have ruled several times that alarms that injure a thief are illegal.

 

[grtescpa]

Can't start can't steal

I pull the connector apart to the fuel solonoid and then put it back together so its not making contact. Unless the crook is a good trouble shooter, that baby will not start. I like the the idea mentioned on here to drain the filter canister too.

 

[Davidp3]

I towed and repo'd for a living and nobody ever paid any attention to an alarm going off if the car or truck was on the bed of my truck. I had a Rolls Royce on it several times and the alarm always went off. People were annoyed by it at red lights. I had a SNATCH truck also and if I wanted a vehicle I got the vehicle. You could be in it and I could get it.

 

[Pit Bull]

I have alway carried full coverage insurance. I now live in a small rural community and park my truck in a locked garage. I figure that if it gets stolen I will buy a new truck. Don't really think much about it beyond that. I have owned high dollar cars and had them when I lived in big cities. Never had one stolen. Alway locked my cars and in the high $$ ones they had built in alarms. Never added any more security then the automobile manufacture provided. Like they say **** happens and it can happen to you but the odds are it won't. Don't worry be happy

 

[D6Diesel]

I went with the autolock that Eric posted. It's very easy to use , does not take up much space, and should be enough of a hassle for the thief to leave well enough alone.

 

[JCoffey]

Ram's easy to steal

Well all this talk has scared me straight!!!! I now take the whole family with me anytime we go somewhere in the Truck and we post an armed watch on it while we are away. The kids do not really like standing watch ( especially if we are going to Mr. Gatti's or somewhere else fun) , but I just tell them it is a small price to pay for knowing that we will be driving home instead of walking. Also Big 5 Sporting Good is running a sale on . 38 and 9 mm ammo this weekend.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Ram's easy to steal

Originally posted by JCoffey

Well all this talk has scared me straight!!!! I now take the whole family with me anytime we go somewhere in the Truck and we post an armed watch on it while we are away. The kids do not really like standing watch ( especially if we are going to Mr. Gatti's or somewhere else fun) , but I just tell them it is a small price to pay for knowing that we will be driving home instead of walking. Also Big 5 Sporting Good is running a sale on . 38 and 9 mm ammo this weekend.

LMAO :-laf :-laf I think you have captured the essence of the threat to our beloved trucks, nothing is more important than protecting this strategic asset

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Cat 1 installation in the USA.

Originally posted by K_Arts

John, That sounds too cool... How about sending some of that technology our way???

I know that the Thatcham Cat 1 spec. alarm is available in the USA, because my truck was exported to Europe when it was brand new and then I got my Thatcham Cat 1 alarm installed in England. (The insurance company wanted it done by a UK-accredited and approved Cat 1 installer to get the European insurance discount and I was informed that the same caveat applies in the USA, i. e. you need to get it installed by a USA-accredited and approved Cat 1 installer).



Check out these links, both previously mentioned way back in this thread... .

Boomerang and Lojack

That same spec. allows for different permutations and various combinations of (optional) remote mercury switches and sensors to suit your own needs, so I'm presuming you are referring to, or interested in, the modified, miniature marine foghorn as the only other "add-on" technology? Right?



Obviously you'll need some form of on-board compressor and air reservoir. Standard Air horn installations don't usually have enough air for more than a 20 seconds sustained blast, before their efficiency/volume drops off. I use the additional compressor/airtank for my Firestone rear wheel airbags inflation/deflation and Tee-off the high pressure circuit from the incab L & R remote controls. and this last for well in excess of 60 secs before recycling in 10 secs, resetting and primed ready for action (continuing or new).



The miniature marine foghorn is available from most PADI dive stores and is also readily available. You should ask them for a demo to get a feel for the SPL of the device (cost is around US$100). Activation by the alarm system is a standard trigger function from the Cat 1 and is pretty much straight forward..... Hope this helps..... PM me if you need more details.

 

[justinp20012500]

Well,



I was one of the victims last night. The thief used something to pry the sheet metal down under the door handle. Body shop estimated $408. 00 to fix it!!!



My truck only has the factory stereo in it, so I think there was another agenda...



I have the factory security system that will not allow the truck to start, but the little LED light under the compass quit working about 6 months ago.





But this little event made me put up a couple of halogen lights on the front of my house along with a night vision camera I just purchased.



MAN I HATE THIEVES MORE THEN ANYTHING IN THE WOLRD.



Has anyone else had thier truck broken into by the "pry the sheet metal down" trick????







Justin "Very upset dodge that likes to get even"

 

[sardoghauler]

rjrepo



i really like the idea of the kill switch at the pass/airbag on/off. Unfortunately no pass arirbag on/off in my ride. Any other ideas for good kill wtich set-ups and locations. i have an old convertible with a kill swith in the trunk but it's too obvious to use. Anyone can see me park, open the trunk, losk it, and walk away. I want something interior, keyed, and convenient.



any thoughts would be appreciated



TIA

craig

 

[scotmartin]

I turned a cigarette lighter into a hidden switch. Soldered across the terminals on the lighter so the lighter was no longer a load, but a switch instead. Moved the original wiring to another power outlet that I put in the glove box. Sometimes the best hiding place is right in front of your nose.



Scot

 

[az]

Back in Sept my 99 had the teltale signs of an attempt. Had the sheet metal by the door handle moved like others had. Based on where I live I narrowed it down to work, hard to get to my house.



Well, I had with that truck it was time to get a new one. Traded it on a 04 6spd 3500 did not drive the ******* two weeks and it was stolen from guess where? work.



Now I have a 97 with lowjack and a brake lock so far so good and at least I have a backup system in case it gets down the road.

 

[BryceC]

I turned a cigarette lighter into a hidden switch. Soldered across the terminals on the lighter so the lighter was no longer a load, but a switch instead. Moved the original wiring to another power outlet that I put in the glove box. Sometimes the best hiding place is right in front of your nose.



Scot

I like that idea, I'm going to have to think about that one. My older brother used to have Chevy Nova that had a pushbutton start hidden in the lighter in the flip out ashtray. Nobody would ever think to look there.

 

[EBottema]

Maybe DC needs to start using the transponder keys with their trucks. The computer must receive a signal that it knows from the key before it will even start. These keys are very expensive too.

:

Transponder keys can be duped too. You dont want a more complicated truck with more computer chips. It just bothers me, its really lame



What you need is a kill switch, a manual shutoff solinoid will really fool them. Maybe a gun so when you catch them attemping to steal the truck you can blow them away, less criminals = less complicated cars = happier people :-laf

 

[justinp20012500]

Transponder keys can be duped too. You dont want a more complicated truck with more computer chips. It just bothers me, its really lame



What you need is a kill switch, a manual shutoff solinoid will really fool them. Maybe a gun so when you catch them attemping to steal the truck you can blow them away, less criminals = less complicated cars = happier people :-laf

If it was only that easy.



I fixed the body panel under the door hanle last night, I was going to take some pictures and post what was in there but I guess my camera walked away when they broke in it. I thought they didn't get into it???



Let me say this. After about 15 min of looking in there and seeing how it works I could be a professional 94-2002 dodge ram theif. That is the cheapest most uneffectie way to have a locking system I have ever seen!!!



Like Joe Donnely said, all you have to do is sandwich the door panel inbetween the handle and a piece of sheet metal. Pop you door panel off and take a look. Very easy to identify what needs to be done.



Pretty sad that I lose a 200 camera and have to fork out 400 dollars to get it fixed and then only hope the paint matches.





Justin