2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Truck Stolen Tonight

[WDixon27]

i just had to change out a broken ignition switch on my 96 and boy that's a secure design, i am use to the euro cars i work on daily where it's sometimes a act of god to remove the key switch, 3 #20 torx to get the cover off and 3 tamper proof #20 torx to remove the whole thing, (tamper proof?! like you can't buy those anywhere ) in and out i think it took 5 minutes, so if i wanted to steal it i can show up with my own switch to plug in and in maybe a minute i am off if i am not worried about the cover or letting the switch hang, or even less if i case the joint the day before and get the last 8 of the vin # and get a key cut by the dealer, which is a interesting point, bmw requires proof of ownership before they will order you a key for another day (pita for shops and salvage yards like us when we get in a car with no key), i called dodge and had a new switch and a spare key coded and a picked it up a couple hours later

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I have my VIN Number out of sight from outside the truck. The Florida sun cracked my dash on my 98 and when it was changed and I went to pick up the truck he handed me my Vin No. So I pop riveted it on the door that gives you access to the fuses. This way when I go to get it worked on I can carry the panel/door in with me and save time and a walk out to the truck. I try to save steps. I got a piece of carpet from Auto Zone that is made to fit the dash. What I should have done to begin with. Too soon old and too late smart. Regards Jim -- email address removed --

 

[CarlJensen]

Jimmy jammer in door, cable lock on spare tire, locking fuel cap, rods in sliding rear window and VIN covered! A thief will still put it up on a roller back and be gone in under three minutes flat!!

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

That is what I meant when I said locks are not to keep a thief out they are to keep honest people honest. All we can do is hope. The dirt bag that is sneaking around a parking lot might be discouraged by a jimmi jammer and move on to easier pickings. Every thief is equipped with the desire but not the brains or he would not be a thief. He may have acqired skill and special training over time so I would suggest a lowjack if I spelled it right. A tracking device in a unlikely place might be just the thing. I wonder if the insurance COs give a discount for a lowjack/tracking device.

 

[TGroves]

Giachino,,, i work for a body shop check your policy to see if it covers aftermarket items? some insurance companys cover it if the items are bolted to the truck or car but , you must have recipes or a picture or video of the truck with it items on there ,,, about 7 years ago i totaled my truck . . truck was only worth 2500. 00 and i got 3800 . 00 just because i had recipes and picture of the truck

 

[DNewell]

Hey man, sorry to hear about the truck. :{ I hope that if and when the catch the SOB that did this, they tear his nuts off and hang them from a tree for the world to see, and the ants to eat... Sorry, just got off on a strange tangant there. Just to help offer up some advice, it may be worth it to put an inline switch that controls the LP in the truck, if it's an HPCR model, that only you know where it's at and is located in an out of the way location under the dash so that if someone does break in, they can't get anywhere...

 

[JasonCzerak]

This ****** S**ks..... 25k miles, owned 2 years... . either way i'll end up getting screwed... . get it back crappy (like my last one stolen in San Diego)or get "Fair Market Value" for it ($5-10k)



... .

How can fair market value be $5K to $10K on an 05? My 04. 5 with 64,000 miles according to Kelly Blue book is $21K - $25K (dealer trade to priveate sale). not sure what options, and how much more the auto brings in value and how much less the short bed may lessen the value + $3K in extras if you can prove them.



You should get Atleast $25,000 for that truck if not more (+ extras)!.

 

[Giachino]

You should get Atleast $25,000 for that truck if not more (+ extras)!.

Yeah, that's the problem, owe $33 on it..... so if I get $25k, I'm out $8k!... . still havent gotten a number from ins co, we'll see what they give.



If it's not too bad, I'll get a new truck... . but what?



06 Dodge: No 07 emmissions crap and can upgrade to a Mega Cab, but no 6sp Auto or 6. 7l either...

07 Dodge: Emmissions crap, 6. 7l + 6sp Auto would be cool, but when? Dont want to wait a year, is there any published info on when they're commng out?

Something Else: I loved both of my Dodge Trucks, but I'm 2 for 2 on getting them stolen, I think the dodges are popular to steal in the souther states becasue they're made in Mexico and so the parts will be cheap... .

i'd never get a ford 6. o, but the GMC with LBZ/6sp Auto and a factory lift with 35"'s could be reasonable... . not that i'm a big fan of GM.....



Who knows!

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Insurance Cos have Attorneys so it makes sense to have your own Attorney, sure they cost money but you could come out money ahead. At least you won't get as bally screwed--maybe. I know it is a pain but read your insurance policy carefully you might find something they won't tell you

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I have heard a lot about the Duramax (made in Japan) and the Allison tran. (owned by GM or was) but I read where GM is in serious financial trouble. Don't know if our Gov. would bail them out like they did Chrysler. I would stick with Dodge and Cummins. I was of the impression when a Dodge is to have a Cummins in it, it is built in St. Louis. Built in Mexico doesn't bother me. Disgruntled union workers on an assembly line is one of GM's problems. And it becomes a problem to whoever buys a vehicle at a later date. Years ago a mechanic friend would only buy a car built on wednesday. There is a way you can tell by the vin # and he knew how. GOOD LUCK

 

[MHalloran]

Sorry to hear about your loss dude. When my newly ordered CTD was delivered to the dealership (back in 96) before I drove it off the lot I let them keep it for a day to have the lojack installed also with a "left blinker must be on to start truck" ignition kill device, also supplied by Lojack. Money well spent on Lojack. My insurance co. also gives a discount for having this, if anyone was wondering. Mike

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

1 (800) 4-lojack

 

[JGrover]

When I bought my 97, I was worried about it getting stolen. I used to (still do) take out the fuse for the fuel shut off. (cranks but no start) When Im in an area that gives me the creeps. (anyplace but home :-laf ) I've actually got a bit comfy,I better start pulling that fuse more often. I like my none computer 12v. I wouldn't want to replace it with a computer truck. Wondering what diode is going to mess up next Oo. :{

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I too am glad I have a 12v. I think it was in 1999 I saw a device for sale on TV that you slip over the break pedal and renders the vehicle useless. One look at it and I believe the thief would give up and go on to something he could handle. It has a pick proof lock. It only takes a few seconds to remove and does give me some peace of mind. Recently I installed jimmi jammers and unless they are towing and loading a thief with no equipment would give up leaving some minor body work to be done. Beast of all a Lojack, I intend to phone them and get more info soon. REGARDS Jim, -- email address removed --

 

[JGrover]

I'm really sorry to here that those party animals compressed your grass in Iowa. Hopefully your grass survives. I live in the Mtns of So Calif. My truck does not fit in the garage completely, So I just leave the door open. I'm glad I don't have party animals out risking harm to my grass. :-laf

 

[JGrover]

Met a guy about 5yrs ago that worked at a GM plant. He drove a ford mustang. He said that the Quality of GM is bad. That was in the automobile division though. Trucks should be better. Trouble is, If it looks good, It may get stolen Hmmm... . 06 Ram 2500 4x4 primer gray or olive drab,(military green) gangster whitewalls, Bull horns on the hood,( Don't take this one to Texas) :-laf

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I talked to a GM retiree a few years ago and the empoyees at some of the GM plants would goof-off so bad they had to out-sourse and close down some plants. Supervision could not controll the employees because the union would interfere. When an employee did not want to work his job was protected by the union. Steel Mills had their similar problems too. They built new steel mills overseas and when they were up and running Youngstown Sheet&Tube locked their doors and 30,000 men's jobs were lost . It was sort of like Ha Ha screw you. I know for sure I lived in Youngstown OH at the time, in the 70's. Their way of getting even. In my opinion all of these kinds of problems has a direct affect on the quality of work on the assembley lines. After so long a time the Companies get sick of union demands and in the 70's and 80's many moved south and overseas. This left over one million workers without a job in Ohio alone. They had to accept lower wage jobs or retrain. Not an easy thing. Union trucking companies purposly went bankrupt and new non-union companies took their place. When you go to buy a new vehicle it looks great. When problems show up later was it an honest mistake or was your vehicle thrown together by an unhappy employee. In a Jappanese owned plant the whole atmosphere is different. Workers are happy and good products roll out the door. If Nissan would put diesels in their Titan Pick Up Trucks they could take a lot of business from Dodge. Enough fo now. REGARDS, Jim, -- email address removed --

 

[Katmandu]

I have heard a lot about the Duramax (made in Japan)

No they are not.

Duramax Diesel engines are manufactured exactly (3) miles from where I'm sitting RIGHT NOW here at work in Dayton, Ohio. They are made right down the road in Morain, Ohio.

http://www.turnerconstruction.com/industrial/content. asp?d=3338&p=3331

GM has a partnership with ISUZU in making the Duramax engines. Maybe that's where you got your Japan reference from.

.

 

[AMink]

Giachino- What was the outcome of this fiasco? Is it finished yet?

 

[ScottLowry]

I talked to a GM retiree a few years ago and the empoyees at some of the GM plants would goof-off so bad they had to out-sourse and close down some plants. Supervision could not controll the employees because the union would interfere. When an employee did not want to work his job was protected by the union. Steel Mills had their similar problems too. They built new steel mills overseas and when they were up and running Youngstown Sheet&Tube locked their doors and 30,000 men's jobs were lost . It was sort of like Ha Ha screw you. I know for sure I lived in Youngstown OH at the time, in the 70's. Their way of getting even. In my opinion all of these kinds of problems has a direct affect on the quality of work on the assembley lines. After so long a time the Companies get sick of union demands and in the 70's and 80's many moved south and overseas. This left over one million workers without a job in Ohio alone. They had to accept lower wage jobs or retrain. Not an easy thing. Union trucking companies purposly went bankrupt and new non-union companies took their place. When you go to buy a new vehicle it looks great. When problems show up later was it an honest mistake or was your vehicle thrown together by an unhappy employee. In a Jappanese owned plant the whole atmosphere is different. Workers are happy and good products roll out the door. If Nissan would put diesels in their Titan Pick Up Trucks they could take a lot of business from Dodge. Enough fo now. REGARDS, Jim, -- email address removed --

There is a little truth to this but a lot of what you just said is B--lsh-t. I work in an auto plant. Yes there are some bad workers. And yes they are somewhat protected by the union. Not as many as you might think. The biggest problem we have is bad management and inferior quality parts. A worker can only install the parts they are given. We don't select the quality of parts. We don't design the parts. We just install them. I guess you could say we build cars out of Autozone type parts. Foreign car makers use top of the line parts. That is the biggest difference. There are a lot of foreign cars that are made in the states here in union plants. Why don't they have the same repair problems?



Scott