The Ford Barn

leo · 08-18-2014, 05:13 PM

I want to make my vehicle difficult to steal. I know that nothing will be totally fail safe if someone is determined to do the job but if it is not too easy a job perhaps they will move on. What have you guys installed yourselves to make that special car less of a crime statistic. Recommendations please.....

Talkwrench · 08-18-2014, 06:59 PM

Take the rotor out of the dissy cap..
maybe the most visual deterrent would be those steering wheel locks, anyone have a car stolen with one of those attached?

Herman Munster · 08-18-2014, 09:48 PM

A removable steering wheel.

rick55 · 08-19-2014, 02:23 AM

One of the easiest and simplest is swap the coil lead and a plug lead on the distributor.
Very hard to spot and it sounds like it wants to start but won't.

RCM · 08-19-2014, 05:08 AM

Thats a good one Rick.

bobss396 · 08-19-2014, 06:00 AM

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Fortunately aside from us here, the market for '52-'59 Fords isn't that hot. Buty if someone wants yours, not much is going to stop them. Good insurance, a GPS device are a good bet.
I knew a guy with an old Vette, he wrapped this heavy chain around the clutch and brake pedals, through the steering wheel and had this enormous padlock on it. I like those bars that lock the brake and clutch pedals together. Put it in gear with that on and it should do it.

zoegrant · 08-19-2014, 04:11 PM

I believe it is called " THE CLUB "....lot of them at Hershey last year for $5.

frank long island · 08-19-2014, 10:04 AM

how about a toggle switch cut into the coil circuit form the ignition

Dobie Gillis · 08-19-2014, 10:11 AM

How 'bout a Pit Bull?

sprink88 · 08-19-2014, 03:27 PM

Going on the GPS route, I had heard a poor mans lo-jack is a pre paid cell phone wired in somewhere hidden. Phone you buy must have gps capabilities though. Thought that was a good idea

leo · 08-20-2014, 06:26 AM

The Club really does not have a good reputation, I've heard that all you need to do is chill the lock down with air conditioner charge and it will shatter like glass when whacked with a hammer.....

Herman Munster · 08-20-2014, 10:02 AM

How about a trunk monkey?

Frankenstein57 · 08-27-2014, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

How about a trunk monkey?

I tried the trunk monkey, I've got a ranchero and the little bugger keeps jumping out

slumlord44 · 05-11-2021, 11:34 PM

I installed an electric fuel pump in my 57 T Bird by the gas tank. I then hid the on off switch. Then I removed the guts from the fuel part of the mechanical fuel pump and left the vacuum pump part for the wipers in place. The factory pump is just a pass through for the electric pump. I turn off the electric pump and it will start and run until the carb runs dry. I also turn the pump off and let the carb run dry when storing it any length of time. Saves a lot of carb problems.

KULTULZ · 05-20-2021, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slumlord44

I installed an electric fuel pump in my 57 T Bird by the gas tank. I then hid the on off switch. Then I removed the guts from the fuel part of the mechanical fuel pump and left the vacuum pump part for the wipers in place. The factory pump is just a pass through for the electric pump.

I turn off the electric pump and it will start and run until the carb runs dry. I also turn the pump off and let the carb run dry when storing it any length of time. Saves a lot of carb problems.

You have your stuff in a neat pile ...

KULTULZ · 05-06-2021, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

How about a trunk monkey?

I had one of those monkeys in a 57 RANCHERO. The car was stolen and subject to a police chase. Thief ran off the road and into a river. When they pulled the car out, they found both the driver and monkey dead, the driver of blunt force trauma and the monkey was laying in the bed.

Coroner surmised the monkey drowned as he could not figure out how to open the tailgate and escape.

And to top it all off, the company would not grant me a refund ...

Talkwrench · 08-20-2014, 07:05 PM

Yep love the trunk monkey !

bobss396 · 08-21-2014, 06:18 AM

What's happening, these cars are getting grabbed in broad daylight, from hotel parking lots at shows, etc. The car gets pushed or dragged around a corner and spirited away in an enclosed trailer. And nobody questions a trailer going by at an event even at 3 AM.

So anything that makes the car hard to roll is your best bet. I'm going to make up a brake and clutch pedal lock-out for my car. Leave it in gear, can't push in the clutch and a 3500 lb car is hard to deal with. I also thought of locking out the e-brake handle.

Andy · 08-21-2014, 06:57 AM

I am with the 32-53 crowd. I am installing an original 40 column drop in my 32. It has a locking steering column feature like a new car. I am also thinking of using a baby monator. A dedicated battery and an invertor to get 110. The world has changed. I used to drive it all over the contry but I am scared now.

Daves55Sedan · 08-23-2014, 12:52 AM

Although it was not originally an anti-theft device, the '50's Fords with Ford-O-Matic do not start in "park", but nowadays, nobody knows that the old Fords started in "neutral" only. So, upon those many occasions when I do forget to take the keys out of the ignition, there's not much to worry about.

08-18-2014, 05:13 PM	#1
leo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 734	Anti Theft Devices You Can Install I want to make my vehicle difficult to steal. I know that nothing will be totally fail safe if someone is determined to do the job but if it is not too easy a job perhaps they will move on. What have you guys installed yourselves to make that special car less of a crime statistic. Recommendations please.....

08-18-2014, 06:59 PM	#2
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install Take the rotor out of the dissy cap.. maybe the most visual deterrent would be those steering wheel locks, anyone have a car stolen with one of those attached? __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

08-18-2014, 09:48 PM	#3
Herman Munster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW WA state. Posts: 564	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install A removable steering wheel. __________________ 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 292 V8 with Ford-o-Matic

08-19-2014, 05:08 AM	#5
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install Thats a good one Rick.

08-19-2014, 06:00 AM	#6
bobss396 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 721	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Fortunately aside from us here, the market for '52-'59 Fords isn't that hot. Buty if someone wants yours, not much is going to stop them. Good insurance, a GPS device are a good bet. I knew a guy with an old Vette, he wrapped this heavy chain around the clutch and brake pedals, through the steering wheel and had this enormous padlock on it. I like those bars that lock the brake and clutch pedals together. Put it in gear with that on and it should do it.

08-19-2014, 04:11 PM	#7
zoegrant Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tolland CT Posts: 773	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install I believe it is called " THE CLUB "....lot of them at Hershey last year for $5.

08-19-2014, 10:04 AM	#8
frank long island Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: westbury ny Posts: 854	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install how about a toggle switch cut into the coil circuit form the ignition

08-19-2014, 10:11 AM	#9
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install How 'bout a Pit Bull?

08-19-2014, 03:27 PM	#10
sprink88 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 39	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install Going on the GPS route, I had heard a poor mans lo-jack is a pre paid cell phone wired in somewhere hidden. Phone you buy must have gps capabilities though. Thought that was a good idea

08-20-2014, 06:26 AM	#11
leo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 734	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install The Club really does not have a good reputation, I've heard that all you need to do is chill the lock down with air conditioner charge and it will shatter like glass when whacked with a hammer.....

08-20-2014, 10:02 AM	#12
Herman Munster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW WA state. Posts: 564	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install How about a trunk monkey? __________________ 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 292 V8 with Ford-o-Matic

05-11-2021, 11:34 PM	#14
slumlord44 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 104	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install I installed an electric fuel pump in my 57 T Bird by the gas tank. I then hid the on off switch. Then I removed the guts from the fuel part of the mechanical fuel pump and left the vacuum pump part for the wipers in place. The factory pump is just a pass through for the electric pump. I turn off the electric pump and it will start and run until the carb runs dry. I also turn the pump off and let the carb run dry when storing it any length of time. Saves a lot of carb problems.

08-20-2014, 07:05 PM	#17
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install Yep love the trunk monkey ! __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

08-21-2014, 06:18 AM	#18
bobss396 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 721	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install What's happening, these cars are getting grabbed in broad daylight, from hotel parking lots at shows, etc. The car gets pushed or dragged around a corner and spirited away in an enclosed trailer. And nobody questions a trailer going by at an event even at 3 AM. So anything that makes the car hard to roll is your best bet. I'm going to make up a brake and clutch pedal lock-out for my car. Leave it in gear, can't push in the clutch and a 3500 lb car is hard to deal with. I also thought of locking out the e-brake handle.

08-21-2014, 06:57 AM	#19
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,771	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install I am with the 32-53 crowd. I am installing an original 40 column drop in my 32. It has a locking steering column feature like a new car. I am also thinking of using a baby monator. A dedicated battery and an invertor to get 110. The world has changed. I used to drive it all over the contry but I am scared now.

08-23-2014, 12:52 AM	#20
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Anti Theft Devices You Can Install Although it was not originally an anti-theft device, the '50's Fords with Ford-O-Matic do not start in "park", but nowadays, nobody knows that the old Fords started in "neutral" only. So, upon those many occasions when I do forget to take the keys out of the ignition, there's not much to worry about.