Vehicle Security Measures

[VikingVince]

Henry,

geez, that's a pretty impressive, involved list of security measures...honestly, I wouldn't even know how to do half of that list!!...that's depressing...LOL...maybe I'll just buy more insurance, if they'll let me :exclaim:

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Also, if you own an FZJ80, make sure you do something with the rear sliding windows! My truck has been broken into 2x via those windows. They are actually so poorly designed you can open them by HAND!

Just a heads up for FJ80 and FZJ80 owners!

I am still trying to find a fix. I have even thought of swapping over to the real early style 80 NON sliding windows since they arent used for anything!

My .02



Also, another observation: For those of you doing dual battery setups, they now make 4 way switches that require a KEY to move them! Pretty cool!

Check It Out:

 

[Scott Brady]

A wise member of this forum sent me an email:

He relayed a personal story of confronting a thief, successfully stopping the theft, and put a good hurting on the guy in the process. At the end of it all, HE was arrested.

The wisdom in all of this is that in 99% of cases, you are better off giving the thief what they want. The reason for that is, if you DO NOT have the experience or skill to physically stop a thief, it is likely you or the people you are with will be hurt. But if you DO have the skills to stop the thief, than that will likely be used against you.

The law only protects the use of force if the loss of LIFE is probable, or physical harm is likely. Not the loss of property. There are other situations, which add complexity, but this thread is only about the loss of property.

I dont want to take this off topic, but I think it is important to make the comment.

 

[blupaddler]

Scott, Kevin, Exiled...excellent points

Baja...I had the same thing happen to me with my 80 shortly after I purchased it. We were out running errands. Locked up the car, and closed the door. What do you know, I had an alarm. The PO had no idea of any alarm, and no key/switch for it either. Long story short, I had to have it towed to a electrical shop. Where they proceeded to remove ALL parts associtated with the alarm.


GT...You also have another type security system. I big, black, mean looking dog. BTW, I hope she is doing well

 

[goodtimes]

GT...You also have another type security system. I big, black, mean looking dog. BTW, I hope she is doing well

The only problem with that security system, is that she would happily trade the jeep or dodge for a pat on the head.

Off topic....she is doing pretty well. I'd say probably 75%. I don't know if she will be making any more backpacking trips though. I don't think her knee will take it, based on what happens when I let her play with another dog (she limps for a couple days). I will have to wait a few months and see how her recovery goes.

Back on topic....

 

[Scott Brady]

You know Robb, that is an excellent point.

A dog is one of the best protections against theft. There is no question my best pal Yukon would stop the ill intended in their tracks. But... he doesn't fit in the truck.

 

[Pskhaat]

Isn't Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Texas ``Make My Day'' law states where both life AND property threat are protected?

I'm no lawyer I really don't know, but I'm pretty sure at least WY & CO are. My brother (fj803fe on this board) and I grew up (in CO/WY) with the expectation at protecting our propety at any cost (how good advice this was from our parental units is questionable, but...)

 

[Pskhaat]

I've heard some LX470s have solid (and swappable) rear windows.

I know they'd be an easy break-in point, but havn't personally been able to. I've tried and stopped when I thought I might start breaking things. You'll have to PM/email me the steps.

 

[60seriesguy]

There's a real simple fix that prevents the rear sliding windows on an 80 series from being popped open. This will be tough without a picture, but basically, you unbolt the plastic "clamp" from the window, then take a drill and with a narrow bit (and slowly, so you don't burn the plastic), you drill a hole from the top down across both sides. The hole needs to be just wide enough to fit an unpopped aluminum rivet tightly.

The rivet's "stem" will prevent the clamp from popping off, but allows you to secure the window. This works so well it used to be a std modification done at Toyota dealerships on the 70 series and 80 series windows.

If you want something even more secure and you don't live in an area where it rains a lot, buy some of those old-school locks of sliding glass cabinets, with the lock mounted on the inside of the truck. For further visibility, paint the backside of the lock (the one that will sit outside of the truck) orange or yellow or red, so that would-be thieves notice it.

 

[60seriesguy]

Here's a picture (a pretty poor one) of the shifter lock on the Cruiser. You can see the ring welded to the shifter that prevents the shifter from being twisted and pulled out.

 

[Suty]

Isn't Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Texas ``Make My Day'' law states where both life AND property threat are protected?

I'm no lawyer I really don't know, but I'm pretty sure at least WY & CO are. My brother (fj803fe on this board) and I grew up (in CO/WY) with the expectation at protecting our propety at any cost (how good advice this was from our parental units is questionable, but...)

As I understand it here in Tejas: If you are on my property after dark and are attempting to steal or break into anything, then you are as good as dead. That's if I have good gun control. I believe the key to this is the After Dark Clause. Needless to say, At least here in Tejas you can defend Your Life and Property from those who would try and take it...........Tu Compa, Suty

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

There's a real simple fix that prevents the rear sliding windows on an 80 series from being popped open. This will be tough without a picture, but basically, you unbolt the plastic "clamp" from the window, then take a drill and with a narrow bit (and slowly, so you don't burn the plastic), you drill a hole from the top down across both sides. The hole needs to be just wide enough to fit an unpopped aluminum rivet tightly.

The rivet's "stem" will prevent the clamp from popping off, but allows you to secure the window. This works so well it used to be a std modification done at Toyota dealerships on the 70 series and 80 series windows.

If you want something even more secure and you don't live in an area where it rains a lot, buy some of those old-school locks of sliding glass cabinets, with the lock mounted on the inside of the truck. For further visibility, paint the backside of the lock (the one that will sit outside of the truck) orange or yellow or red, so that would-be thieves notice it.

Thanks for the info Henry!

Any more details or pics would be very appreciated!

 

[60seriesguy]

If you send me a picture of the inside clamp (close-up) I'll show you. I don't have access to one here.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

If you send me a picture of the inside clamp (close-up) I'll show you. I don't have access to one here.

Thanks Henry:

 

[60seriesguy]

All right, I'm clearly no artist, but here's the basic idea. Drill where the yellow dots are, so you can slide the rivet in from above. Make sure you get the longer rivets and that the hole matches the rivet as closely as possible and makes it a snug fit.