Vehicle Security Measures

[VikingVince]

My external locks are finished and installed and, if I may say so myself, I'm really happy with the look and function. I used the puck type trailer locks and hasp found at(thanks Scott):

http://www.lockitt.com/TrailerDoorLocks.htm

I found the identical lock/hasp at Home Depot for a little cheaper. ($35 for lock and hasp) This hasp is big (about 4"x 9") and made of 3/16 steel (heavy). I cut off all the flat part of the hasp, ground it down, leaving just the round part that the lock fits into. Then drill new holes into the round part for attaching the hasp to the vehicle. (I used rivets to attach to the truck) This might even be an improvement over the original design because now the rivets are covered by the lock; nobody can drill out the rivets when the lock is in place plus no one would know if it's attached with rivets or bolts.

I spraypainted them flat black and installed them on the bottom part of both doors as well as the back flippac door. IMO, they look good (don't detract from the look of the truck) PLUS when the locks are in they look intimidating as hell!! Good deterrent factor I think plus they are very good locks.

Here's my total vehicle theft prevention. (based on disconnecting the battery and locking the hood) I bought a simple battery terminal disconnect switch and Pepboys and installed it. (you could also just pull off the negative ground cable) I fabricated a hood lock from a piece of 1/8"x3"x12" flat steel. I bent it into an "S" shape (with difficulty!) with a hole drilled in one end. One end of the "S" steel piece is screwed in just under the lip of the hood. It comes down on top of one of the hole tabs in my ARB bumper so the two holes are aligned. I'm using another puck type trailer lock with a pin I fashioned from a piece of rebar to lock the hood to the bumper. You could also use a locking trailer hitch pin to go through the two holes. The puck type lock just look more intimidating and are harder to get at to break.

These measures aren't foolproof but my truck is now ALOT harder to get into...and I sleep a little better!!!!

 

[Desertdude]

Nice work Vince - I look forward to checking it out first hand in Baja

I had this security back in the day when I ran my FJ40 everywhere.

Ancient Roman proverb " That which is seen is half lost"

- I live by it :bowdown:

 

[MaddBaggins]

When backpacking or hiking I will usually leave a note stuck in my window.

"John, I have your extra ammo and the Winchester, will meet you back here.

Later, Steve"

No dates, no times, just that some guy with guns and ammo will be back soon.
Haven't had my rig broke into yet.:gunt:

also have a steering wheel club.

 

[DaktariEd]

When backpacking or hiking I will usually leave a note stuck in my window.

"John, I have your extra ammo and the Winchester, will meet you back here.

Later, Steve"

No dates, no times, just that some guy with guns and ammo will be back soon.
Haven't had my rig broke into yet.:gunt:

also have a steering wheel club.

I love that note idea!
I'm going to have to try it!

:xxrotflma

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I found this note over at Yotatech that a guy leaves on his seat!

 

[asteffes]

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.

There are clear films, similar to window tint films, that strengthen the glass against breaking. Most tint shops can get and install these films. They're great for homes, too.

 

[asteffes]

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

You may also wish to look up an Duty to Retreat clauses in your firearms law. Sometimes you have to try to run away first if a bad guy is after you.

 

[k6uk]

Gun Laws Resource & Ignition Override

First of all, a great resource for gun/personal protection laws is www.packing.org
In Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and a growing number of states you have the right to protect yourself and your property without retreat. There is also a "good samaritan" law making the rounds that says you can run to the aid of another and aid in thier protection (person and property) - the site above is a decent resource for these types of questions. That being said, if you can avoid a fight, that is often the best course of action. Even under the protection of these laws if you kill someone - or injure them - your life will still take a miserable multi-year turn. Civil suits, interrogation, none of it's fun.

Okay... on to happier subjects.
I've been looking at the ignition override systems that they install in emergency vehicles. They allow you to leave the engine running while locking the transmission in park (you get to take the keys with you) I know that they make stand alone units www.secure-idle.com and that some alarms have this feature. Any suggestions on the best way to achieve this functionality - so I can grab some beef jerky with the AC on!

-Mike

 

[asteffes]

One must be careful when it comes to defending others. How do you know the guy you "defended," who happened to be counter-attacking wasn't the original attacker? This is a huge topic that has more appropriate places for discussion. I think we just found the tip of the iceberg here.

Also, I'm not sure how the Secure-Idle system would work in modern vehicles equipped with eletronic immobilizers (like Toyotas) that depend on the key for proper authorization to start up.

 

[k6uk]

I think we just found the tip of the iceberg here.

Indeed, this is a complex subject - and obviously every situation presents a unique set of circumstances. Serious thought should precede any action - but it is nice to know that in many states we do have the right to defend ourselves from attack. Of course this doesn't really apply to where I live.

Also, I'm not sure how the Secure-Idle system would work in modern vehicles equipped with eletronic immobilizers (like Toyotas) that depend on the key for proper authorization to start up.

I think I'll give them a call and get an answer to this. Since the car is already running when the device is enabled (it just prevents the ignition from stopping the engine) maybe it would still work? I'll call them and see.

-Mike

 

[datrupr]

While inAZ it is "legal" to shoot/kill someone threatening your or loved ones life, and even third party if anyone is deemed to be in "grave" danger. But, be prepared to be arrested, charged with murder, put on trial, pay for lawyers, etc. You will more than likely be aquitted if the shooting was legitemate, but you still have to go through all that crap, and your life will essentially be ruined, and you will probably end up broke. It is better to run away, then ruin your life for a few material possesions. However, if I come across some guy raping my wife or any other woman for that matter, you can guarantee he will not make it to the hospital. My CCW trainer always said, "If you have to shoot someone, make sure you do not hurt them, kill them because a dead person can not testify against you in court." I hope I never have to pull my weapon out on any other human period.

And, sorry if I opened up a whole new can of worms there. les try to stay on topic.

 

[robert]

I actually thought about installing some screens like you see in vans over the windows of the camper shell (on the inside) or maybe just a couple of bars.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about a way to disable the truck, probably a kill switch somewhere. On the VW, I pull the rotor cap out if I'm leaving it parked somewhere.


I hate thieves. :ar15:

 

[Coachgeo]

LOL.. on my rig there is a built in anti theft device. There is 7 shift levers between the seats. If they decide to steal it.... once they get inside they will not have NO clue on how to even get it in gear much less start the thing. I'm building my own dash so it will have seperate start and glow plug buttons. I may not even put a key start. Not sure yet.

 

[gjackson]

Security is one of the biggest concerns we had when putting our truck together. When you are off in the boonies on a separate continent, your truck is your life line. It is everything you own, and given time and effort is very valuable to you! We locked everything on the outside down with padlocks and cables. The front spare was locked with a padlock. Window protection was more of a deterrant and was made artsy in the process! ;-) The one thing we didn't lock down were the driving wheels, mainly because I hate those keyed lug nuts, and our wheels have no bling to them.

But as has been observed in posts above, the best thing to do is keep your valuables out of sight. We had curtains on the rear windows, and tried to have everything under cover and packed up. When leaving the car we would stow the GPS, computer etc in the tuffy box and make the driving compartment look as bare as possible.

As for stopping the car thieves, I hate immobilizers. We had a aftermarket Clifford system fail on a Range Rover that left us stranded until we figured out how to defeat it. And the defeating part was easy! I'd rather install a cut off switch to the fuel solenoid (for diesel) and a battery cut off switch. In foreign countries thieves will usually run if they see you coming (rather than stay to fight) so if you can delay them long enough, then. . .

But the main point is to make it a pain in the ass for someone to get in. There is no way we could fly under the radar in Africa, so we had to make all of the locks and cables pretty obvious. A LR Defender is so easy to break into it's not funny! By the end of the trip the rear side window protection was held on by wire ties, but it still worked as a deterrant.

Of course then there are the bandits who stop you in the middle of no where with an AK47 and demand everything you have. Then is not a good time to fight. And also, stopping because someone is lying in the road isn't a good idea if you are out in the boonies. One of the first questions we usually get asked about our Africa trip is how many guns we took. And the answer is zero! The best weapon and defense you have is between your ears, and you don't get arrested smuggling that into foreign countries! (Usually!) We got into some pretty hair raising situations with people waving guns around and making threats, but if you stay calm and reasonable, it seems that most people would rather talk than shoot.

Just my 2c!

cheers

 

[Scott Brady]

Another very cool solution:

Tufloc