Anti Theft Devices You Can Install

[leo]

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]

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]

A removable steering wheel.

[rick55]

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]

Thats a good one Rick.

[bobss396]

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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.

[frank long island]

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

[Dobie Gillis]

How 'bout a Pit Bull?

[sprink88]

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

[zoegrant]

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

[leo]

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]

How about a trunk monkey?

[Talkwrench]

Yep love the trunk monkey !

[bobss396]

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]

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]

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.

[Herman Munster]

My '56 is even tricky to start in neutral because of the NSS. It has a very small sweet spot that takes a little finesse to find.

[Dick's Hot Rod Place]

Ther are a number of anti-theft companies out there such as Smith & Wesson, Colt, Rugar, Remington, Winchester, and the list goes on and on. Just go with the one you feel comfortable with.

[Y-Blockhead]

My '55 Ranchwagon has Painless wiring harness which has a theft determent build in The ignition is fused so I just pull the fuse. Also have a 'secret' dpdt solenoid that cuts power to the NSS and Electric fuel pump relay. None of this will help if they tow it away but may slow them down if they attempt to drive it.

I my Model A I lock the shift to the E Brake handle. Again if they tow from rear...

[Frankenstein57]

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

[Gene F]

OK, I tried to solve this on my own, but I am stuck. I seem to recall about a year ago someone posted something about a kill-switch that they put together for their car. They carry a seperate fob in their pocket. If someone steals their car, or carjacks them after they get a block or two away the car dies. I want to find that post, and have logged in and tried the search but for the life of me I can not find it.

I want a fob that I simply put in my pocket, and it emits a signal and when that signal is lost kicks off the ignition / electrical system. I want them to get at least 200 feet away. This also works when I'm in the hardware store, and am not with the car. It will not be on my key ring, because that defeats the purpose. The systems I see on Ebay, Amazon, etc are all from no name vendors, and the prices are all over the place.

I have a unique car that I feel if it gets stolen / carjacked I'll never get another one. Heck they did not build that many of them to start with. I don't want an insurance check, I WANT MY CAR!

My only other option is to get a concealed carry permit and put a 9MM under my shirt tail. I kinda hate the thought of blowing away some young person as I step out of my car, even though they likely will be pointing one at me. Although they may not mind blowing me away. They have been pulling little old ladies out of their cars, and taking their purses and credit cards. The ladies ultimately end up in an ambulance headed to the hospital. The judges let em out because the system is just not setup to hold minors overnight. Next day they do it again. There are 2 local police departments that are at their wits end trying to stop this. Besides, 3 of my collector cars do not have a trunk, so a pistol is a logistical issue.

Any help is appriciated....

[5851a]

I though maybe Lojack but see they went out of business this March. Any possibility of a in car fuel shut off valve?

[McMimmcs]

My new Cadillac has a centralized disabling device. Once activated only the dealership can start vehicle. Each vehicle has a different computer log in. I am sure something can be designed to fit a collector car but there is a cost factor. Wayne

[Gene F]

LoJack went out of business! Wow. All those people with their systems left holding the bag.

[Ford blue blood]

A cell phone hidden with the ring signal connected to a kill relay. The cell is wired to the cars battery. A hidden reset switch and it should do the job. It will also give GPS data if fancy enough. Most any tech nerd should be able to "fix" that up.

[5851a]

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I believe customers still have service for 6 months. Some type of merger or take over.

[1oldtimer]

I have this on my '56 Chevy panel (sits on the street) and my '41 Ford p/u (in the driveway). 2 thick GOOD padlocks and some cut resistant chain (with a cover). Put in gear, turn the wheels, lock it up and hope for the best.

[56sedandelivery]

On my truck I have a hidden switch that kill the ignition. Flip the switch and it will not start. I suppose you could jump it from the engine bay but most people wanting to steal it would not go to that much trouble.

[Herman Munster]

Any car with a manual transmission already has an anti-theft device.

[Dobie Gillis]

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

Any car with a manual transmission already has an anti-theft device.

Yeah, there aren't many septuagenarian car thieves who are still plying the trade.

[55blacktie]

Use a gun, go to prison and/or lose your car, and more, in civil court. You might also lose your life if the guy stealing your car is also armed, more willing to shoot, and a better shot.

[Gene F]

Originally Posted by 55blacktie

Use a gun, go to prison and/or lose your car, and more, in civil court. You might also lose your life if the guy stealing your car is also armed, more willing to shoot, and a better shot.

Yep. Now you know why I am shopping for kill switch solution, right 55Backtie?

[dmsfrr]

I'm guessing something very obvious might discourage a casual thief from considering your car before trying to hot-wire it.

A brightly colored wheel boot, steering wheel 'club' or a brake pedal to steering wheel locking bar, in addition to some of the other suggestions above.
Yes they can be defeated given some time but so can anything else. And an accomplished thief with a tow truck doesn't really care about those small things.

The goal might be to make your vehicle obviously more trouble for an opportunist thief to try taking than another one that's an 'easier' target.
.

[Gene F]

I am more concerned about car jacking...
I have a club. A club kinda saves the horn ring

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Gene F

I am more concerned about car jacking.
. . .

Unless you're driving an armored car I wouldn't be playing little 'You can't take my car' games with someone with a gun to my head or knife at my ribs. They can have it.
A fuel shut off would at least let them get a couple blocks away first.

Some GPS tracking hardware in the car might be good for that type of situation.

Or move to a better neighborhood or community.
.

[55blacktie]

If you own a car that somebody is willing to kill you for, it doesn't matter where you live, and you probably don't live on the wrong side of the tracks.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by 55blacktie

If you own a car that somebody is willing to kill you for, it doesn't matter where you live, and you probably don't live on the wrong side of the tracks.

There was a parole violator here several years back that in one afternoon stole or carjacked and wrecked three ordinary cars while on drugs and evading arrest.
It doesn't really matter what you're driving depending on the circumstances.

[Gene F]

I agree with both of you gentlemen. That's why I want them to get away a little bit before the car dies. 1) I don't want to die, 2) I'm not all that keen on being forced to carry a gun around every where, 3) I'd hate to put a kid (male or female) in their grave, 4) I really don't want an insurance check, I want my car.

We are on the same page. That is why I am shopping for a technology solution.

[dmsfrr]

Run the car on an electric fuel pump with a toggle switch in an easy to reach but slightly out of sight position. The car will likely go a block or so on the gas in the fuel bowl.

My daily driver has keyless ignition, as long as the key fob is within a couple feet of the dashboard.
An aftermarket electronic automotive alarm system may(?) be able to shut the ignition down after it gets a certain distance away from the small remote in your pocket.

[Gene F]

My Honda has Keyless, but if someone hops in it, and it is already running it will run till it runs out of gas. After that they will have trouble getting it restarted.

[dmsfrr]

There may be an add-on automotive security system with the shut-down 'distance' function built in.

[Gene F]

Hmmmm. Many...So far I find 1 that looks like it's had some thought behind it, and works on a non-computer car. It does have a subscription fee though.

[56sedandelivery]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Run the car on an electric fuel pump with a toggle switch in an easy to reach but slightly out of sight position. The car will likely go a block or so on the gas in the fuel bowl.

My daily driver has keyless ignition, as long as the key fob is within a couple feet of the dashboard.
An aftermarket electronic automotive alarm system may(?) be able to shut the ignition down after it gets a certain distance away from the small remote in your pocket.

Like the electric pump and cutoff switch.

[miker98038]

In 1970 I bought a low mileage 1968 used car. Daily driver, red sports car. Under the dash I found an odd plastic affair with a slow blow fuse in it. Pushed in the car ran. Pulled out to the first stop the car started, ran about 10 seconds and blew the fuse. Pull all the way out you could change the fuse. I figured the original owner had put it in as an anti theft device. Took me a while to find the replacement fuse.

In college I parked in a large lot with minimal security. I fitted a fuel shut off controlled by a cable, and pulled a matching cable out of junkyard to operate it. The car would start, leave the lot, and be a block away when it stuttered and died on an alway busy 4 lane road. I figured it might get towed, but at least I’d get it back.

This was before thieves used trailers and tow trucks.

[Dobie Gillis]

A bumper sticker I saw recently: "The driver of this vehicle is armed 3 days a week. You pick the days."

[fordor41]

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when we were traveling a lot I installed a horn, hidden in our '41, that went off if anyone opened the hood or any door. reset switch was in the trunk. just had to remember to turn the switch off before I unlocked & opened the doors.

[55blacktie]

How about 2 boots on opposite corners? More effective than the bumper sticker.

[KULTULZ]

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 ...

[50fordcoupeman]

I have an electrical disconnect and a fuel shut off switch that I installed for maintenance purposes without thinking about those being theft deterrent devices but they certainly are........

[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.

[Herman Munster]

I don't I'd even want to drive my car again with something like this.

[KULTULZ]

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 ...

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by Gene F

I am more concerned about car jacking...
I have a club. A club kinda saves the horn ring

================================================

If someone points a gun at me, I would not hesitate
to use the method in the 1st video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLhWzMOccTg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdrYO3rSVBI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NoUa3CJt8I


.

[Dobie Gillis]

"If someone points a gun at me, I would not hesitate to use the method in the 1st video."

It's legal in S. Africa but I doubt it would be legal anywhere in the U.S., plus they wisely don't have the legal tort system we have. I can just imagine the lawsuits here if somebody rigged one up and used it.

[Lanny]

Near as I can tell, from a search, is that flamethrowers
are legal on vehicles in every state, except California.




.

[Gene F]

The flame thrower is really something. I am a burn survivor. I had 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 28 - 35% of my body, and was in the burn ward for some time. I can tell you, if they survive that will be the last carjacking they ever attempt. 14 years ago and I still am applying topical cream daily. Those places on a persons skin that look like melted plastic are a constant reminder.

Where I live the government would lock me up, and sue me.