urgent security system question

[DLeno]

pardon my security system ignorance -- I have a question for you 03 owners: I'm 70% sure I'll be ordering a new 04 tomorrow or Friday -- but I'm undecided on the security system. For 04, this "security group" is ~ $200, and includes the alarm system and sentry key engine immobilizer.



keyless entry is now standard on the 04s, so what was a $400 option on the 03s (keyless + security) is now a $200 option on the 04's (just security).



my question is this: is the security system a good system and worth the $200 or is it perhaps better to order w/o the factory alarm system and go spend the $200 on an after market system? pros and cons for that? will the after market system still work with the wireless key fob system?



I notice that the factory system has this key-ECM communication thing happening. is this good, bad, or the same as an after market system? in the after market systems, do you have to carry around something in addition to the factory key+fob?

 

[Dean Upson]

The key has a chip in it and it is programmed to start your truck. I don't know how foolproof it is, some kid going out for a joyride might not be able to get it going, but a pro might be able to. I have the factory alarm. It might be junk, but the price is right and it does give me a litte piece of mind.



Dean

 

[davidclark]

IMO the car alarm, factory or aftermarket, is good for one thing, insurance discount. I have yet to see anybody go running toward a car with the alarm on to scare any thief off. Any serious thief will get the car he wants, alarm or no alarm.

The factory alarm saves you the time of going and shopping for one and getting it installed, plus it's covered under warranty if it ever malfunctions.

 

[sag2]

Get the factory system. It is as foolproof as you can get, is covered by 3/36, and DC will be around longer than some of the aftermarket systems. I have seen many aftermarket systems cause all kinds of problems. And they usually cut and splice wires to install them.

 

[Ladders]

Another opinion/option. I got the factory full blown system for ins reasons (hoping never to need it). But if you do some checking, the DC after market one, dealer installed, could be a better deal. It seems, key word - SEEMS- to me to be more than what the factory can give. If you get the remote entry from the factory and then use dealer adds, the way I read a posting on this, the system is better. More options, etc. Just another option.



Having a non-dealer installed system in one of my other units, really caused problems and the dealer(s) could not get together on who's was causing the problems. They "fought" each other trying to control the systems. Finally got the after-market removed and was better off.





SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[johnt1]

The factory and dealer installed security option also has the motion detector. If a window is broken or if the truck is moved the alarm will go off.

 

[DLeno]

hey thanks guys. the compatibility and warranty issues are significant and I don't need any grief like that on a new truck. so wooho! I just ordered the new 04 with the factory security group. now the pain (waiting) begins!