Truck Stolen from Phoenix 1/15/07

[DCaswell]

As my dear departed ol granny used to say "There arn't any repeat offenders in boot hill" The problem nowadays is that the legal system doesn't punish criminals enough. Not too long ago they used to hang horse thieves and a truck costs alot more than most horses

 

[Bob Cochran]

CDonaldson - I can only hope after they peel of the stickers that the police for what ever reason run the plate. It will automatically come up on the computer to check. Almost impossible to make truck 100% theft proof can only make it as difficult as possible.

 

[CDonaldson]

Hey Bob Cochran. I know what you mean about making it as difficult as possible, that may be all of our own saving graces. I installed the jimmy-jammer, the tailgate lock, the special screws for the tail lights, have the sentry key activated, a no-power switch that is key controlled, and am looking at alarm systems. If I loose my truck to thieves it won't be because I did not try to stop them with all this stuff. Great day and age we live in, eh?



CD

 

[betterthanstock]

How about a tin foil under the seat fabric, hooked up to an electric fence box? Anybody care to test this out?



It works better if you have some other metallic surface to complete the circuit, like another tin foil under the seatback, or two foils, under each cheek, you get the idea. Also the shifter, grabhandles, etc... ,

 

[CBrahs]

there was a rumor or myth floating around a few years ago that a guy in california installed an old model T ignition coil on his car and it charged the body panels when the alarm went off. A thief was attempting to break into the car, the alarm when off, the body panels got charged and the dip $!it was standing in a puddle of water and got shocked to DEATH. The guy that owned the car got charged with manslaughter. I think the dude got what he deserved but even now the thieves seem to have more protection rights than the owner trying to protect their investment. Now if we can just get the government to place an law that our vehicles are an extension of our house we could legally give them lead poisoning in the means of a . 45 hallow point! :-laf . The thieves are getting smarter and it does not matter if your 60k truck has some sentry key or other chipped key system, the thief can bypass it and it is proven. those keys are only there to keep the honest people or dumb thieves out.

 

[CDonaldson]

I used to drop a hot wire from an electric fencer onto my truck to keep the neighbors dog from whizzin' on my wheels - it worked great!!! It took one hit, sent him squealing home. He was never back.



You need a electric system that has a discharging capacitor to prevent electrocution. Some of today's stereo amplifier capacitors could handle the job with ease.



Chris you are right - locks only keep out the honest, thieves just laugh at them and find a way around them.



CD

 

[Grizzly]

I saw a sign on the back window of a Dodge truck that said, "This Vehicle is Protected by a Rattle Snake with Aids".

 

[CBrahs]

I would think that would slow them down a bit.

 

[Bob Cochran]

CDonaldson - AMEN to that!!! :-laf

 

[GTX]

I talked to the Detective on the case yesterday. He said he did not have any leads. Got a copy of the police report and came home. Now we will see how the insurance company handles this.

 

[CDonaldson]

Hey GTX.



Glad to hear that you got your report. So now, get all your receipts together for your mods and add-ons, time to go head to head with them. Usually thier first offer is low. I have not had one stolen, but have been through the total game. I challenged my insurance company to find me one the same as the one I lost. My car was less than 2 years old, had really low mileage. They got me a new one before it was all said and done BECAUSE of the age of my vehicle and mileage, did not cost me one dime - straight across the board. They can arrange some sweet deals with dealerships, just let them know you are aware of their ABILITIES. Sometimes you can really come out ahead IF you jold out a little and let them work their magic. Could be a 2005 or early build date 2006 that's new sitting somewhere in the dealerships, happen ALL the time, one just sitting cooking.



CD

 

[GTX]

Thanks CD,

I have found almost every receipt so far.

 

[JVolpe]

Thanks CD,

I have found almost every receipt so far.

Well I haven't read the whole thread, but I hope you have better luck with the insurance and mods than I did. Unless you have a add on thingy that details the mods it may be hard to get reimbursed for them. Problem with that add on thingy is it does cost. Good luck, hope things work out in your favor.

 

[CDonaldson]

Car insurance, like homeowners insurance, has some coverage latitude with regards to personal possessions. It is easy to get something as straightforward as running boards, headache racks, rear bumpers, fender flares (things that bolt on) covered. Same applies to stereo equipment as it usually is 'installed' structurally. Even a brake cntroller or a toolbox bolts on. Then comes those things that 'plug-in' like power boxes, pda's, radar detectors. The real key is receipts and pictures of these items IN the vehicle.



One key to insurance for the first 2-3 years is paying a little extra for 'replacement value'. This keeps you out of the 'depreciation' tables and up front for better insurance claims, especially when theft is involved. They can beat you up over the depreciation in a theft and turn around an talk how well the same vehicle holds up against depreciation when looking at costs to total vrs repairs. Replacement value also holds up against sub-standard aftermarket replacements vrs oem parts where body work from an accident is involved.



Technically if something is bolted on a vehicle, installed with attachments (ty wraps), or in the vehicle when it is stolen it is supposed to be covered. That would even include a brand new TV sitting inside the truck. Things found in the bed that are 'loose' can be argumentative. I have seen guys get paid for the tools in their toolbox as it is considered a 'secure' area.



CD

 

[rjones]

Wow I am sure sorry for your loss and I know what you are going throw because I had my vehicle stolen before..... Its not fun... However they found mine after a 80 mph police chase and it was nose dived into a ditch. . I also had the pleasure of putting the fear of God into the jackass who stole it because when I was in court for it we met face to face by accident the security held me back from crushing his face what a loser well any way hope you get things back in order soon..... take care

 

[Bob Cochran]

It just occured to me I have all the instruction manuals, receipts, etc. for everything I have put on my truck in a folder under the rear seat. After reading the above this is probably not the smartest place to keep that stuff!!!!!!

 

[GTX]

No word on my truck yet.



All receipts and information I could find is on it's way to the insurance company. Now we wait and see how it goes.



Bob,

In my case, they wanted proof of what was attached to the truck. So all receipts I could send. So you may want to make copies if you leave them in the truck.

 

[Grizzly]

No word on my truck yet.



All receipts and information I could find is on it's way to the insurance company. Now we wait and see how it goes.



Bob,

In my case, they wanted proof of what was attached to the truck. So all receipts I could send. So you may want to make copies if you leave them in the truck.

If you have pictures of what was attached will help. I hope you sent them copies of your receipts or at least kept copies. Hang tough with those insurance adjusters. Their job is to get you to accept the lowest offer. Get all the documentation you can as to the worth of your truck from NADA, Kelly Blue Book, local newspaper advertising, Auto Trader. Tell them you truck was a real cream puff, one of a kind. BS them if you have to because they will BS you. Good luck.

 

[JMichelson]

Protection

After reading this thread, I got nervous. I park at motels a lot and leave my truck in secured (maybe) parking lots for days at a time. I invested $100. 00 in Jimmie Jammers and $50. 00 in the Club and another $19. 00 in a tail gate lock. I now park with the wheels turned and lock the doors with the door locks instead of the sentry key. It may not stop them if they want it bad enough, but it will at least slow them down. They may decide that my shinny red truck is not worth the trouble.

I installed the Jimmie Jammers yesterday it took about an hour for all four doors. Very easy project. The hardest part was getting the window stickers on straight. I'm thinking of putting a Revelco on its $399. 00 installed.

That's less then $600. 00 to protect a $40000. 00 truck

I realize that if someone wants the truck they will get it, but I sure as hell am not going to make it easy for them. Jeff

 

[raxley]

assorted theft resist questions

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your loss-hope you get up and running (in better shape than before) soon.

I have been worried about my truck also-I got Jimmi Jammers (will put them in today) and am checking out this Clifford Matrix 50. 5X which I will probably have installed AND I will have the Ravelco installed (after the Clifford so they can possibly protect those wires with that armor they use to cover the wire loom)

I'm going to do this before I have too much improvements done to the car, and I'll check out replacement car insurance.

I have a question-does anybody know of a good way to prevent people access to my diesel 'gas' cap? I've only seen plastic locking 'gas' caps, and actually I don't like the idea of anybody even having access to that little door which covers the 'gas cap'. Guess I could put a 'pin' switch on that door.

I used to have a steel 'gas' cap for this old Dodge I had years ago, do you know anybody selling something like that today?