Theft protection: Steering or Brake lock?
06-09-2003, 02:55 PM
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Originally posted by <96 Runner>
The brake one wont fit on Tacomas and 4Runners.
The brake one wont fit on Tacomas and 4Runners.
My motto is: "If you don't want it stolen, don't drive it." followed by "If you want to slow the thief down, use everything."
I use the AutoLock, Club, Gorilla Grip, and a DEI Responder alarm. I also have an ignition kill switch and a fuel kill switch.
06-09-2003, 03:10 PM
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Hmmm, that's what Autolock told me when I called them regarding my old Tacoma. Interesting. Maybe they changed the design or something.
Sounds like no one is stealing your vehicle!
The only thing left for you is a pitbull with AIDS to protect the truck.
Sounds like no one is stealing your vehicle!
The only thing left for you is a pitbull with AIDS to protect the truck.
06-09-2003, 03:20 PM
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Originally posted by <96 Runner>
Hmmm, that's what Autolock told me when I called them regarding my old Tacoma. Interesting. Maybe they changed the design or something.
Sounds like no one is stealing your vehicle!
The only thing left for you is a pitbull with AIDS to protect the truck.
Hmmm, that's what Autolock told me when I called them regarding my old Tacoma. Interesting. Maybe they changed the design or something.
Sounds like no one is stealing your vehicle!
The only thing left for you is a pitbull with AIDS to protect the truck.
06-09-2003, 03:23 PM
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I was thinking that with the club, they could cut the steering wheel, with the brake pedal lock, couldn't they just use the e-brake with the button depressed until they got it someplace quiet?
I saw a kill switch with a removable key, but thought someone could just splice a jumper across the switch.
I've been thinking about wiring a kill switch to one of the other buttons on the dash, like the rear defroster button, then add a switch someplace else obvious for the rear defroster, using the "best place to hide is right out in the open." What do you guys think about that idea? Unless they took a close look at the wiring, it wouldn't be an obvious kill switch.
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06-09-2003, 03:29 PM
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Originally posted by Vato Loco
You should ask Gadget what are the best methods against auto theft
You should ask Gadget what are the best methods against auto theft
(I know he is retired PD/Sheriff's Dept, but is there something I am missing?)
06-09-2003, 03:32 PM
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Originally posted by <96 Runner>
Ok, here come the flames. Why should we ask Gadget about auto theft?
(I know he is retired PD/Sheriff's Dept, but is there something I am missing?)
Ok, here come the flames. Why should we ask Gadget about auto theft?
(I know he is retired PD/Sheriff's Dept, but is there something I am missing?)
06-09-2003, 03:48 PM
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My roommate's a cop and I (non-sworn admin) work for a separate dept. here in San Diego.
Anything visible will work.
Yes, a steering wheel can be cut through BUT who's going to bother when there's another car parked down the way that doesn't have it?
When it comes down to it - if a thief is determined enough he'll take your car no matter what sort of doohickeys you have on it.
The whole point is to just make your car less appealing than the one next to it.
Anything visible will work.
Yes, a steering wheel can be cut through BUT who's going to bother when there's another car parked down the way that doesn't have it?
When it comes down to it - if a thief is determined enough he'll take your car no matter what sort of doohickeys you have on it.
The whole point is to just make your car less appealing than the one next to it.
06-09-2003, 04:06 PM
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Originally posted by Tacoma Dude
Yes, a steering wheel can be cut through BUT who's going to bother when there's another car parked down the way that doesn't have it?
Yes, a steering wheel can be cut through BUT who's going to bother when there's another car parked down the way that doesn't have it?
06-09-2003, 04:51 PM
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06-09-2003, 04:59 PM
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06-09-2003, 04:59 PM
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The best protection.... is the hidden protection. It's similar to the kill switch mentioned.... but there is no visible microchip lock or any of that stuff. All the wires are left unmarked under the dash, and you run a magnetic reed switch hidden anywhere in your car. Could be inside the fabric of your seat, underneath the vinyl somewhere, or maybe behind a dash panel. You must hold a magnet over the switch to close the circuit, then you can turn the key. No one will ever know but you. Easy to build(all the parts are under $15 and at Radioshack). If you run the switch inline with the starter wire somewhere other than at the ignition, no thief will ever be able to start your car. PERIOD.
If you want instructions....
http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/IgnitionKillSwitch.html
If you want instructions....
http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/IgnitionKillSwitch.html
06-09-2003, 05:00 PM
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If someone will really want to steal your car, all the clubs and alarms can be easily bypassed, believe me.
If anyone seen "Repo Man" show on TLC several weeks ago, they showed a little device which can cut any clubs in less than a minute. I was pretty impressed with that and how easy it was!
As far as alarms, bypassing one isn't too difficult either, as long as the person knows what he or she is doing. I'm not going to go into details, but most of alarms which are on the market today can be disabled in under 5 minutes.
So, to make a long story short, the best thing to have in my opinion is good anti-theft auto insurance. After all, even if your car will get stolen, there will be enough compensation to buy a new one.
-- Andrey
If anyone seen "Repo Man" show on TLC several weeks ago, they showed a little device which can cut any clubs in less than a minute. I was pretty impressed with that and how easy it was!
As far as alarms, bypassing one isn't too difficult either, as long as the person knows what he or she is doing. I'm not going to go into details, but most of alarms which are on the market today can be disabled in under 5 minutes.
So, to make a long story short, the best thing to have in my opinion is good anti-theft auto insurance. After all, even if your car will get stolen, there will be enough compensation to buy a new one.
-- Andrey
06-09-2003, 05:03 PM
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The revelco is just like any other "visible" kill switch. Since the device has to be in view, so are all the wires. Match the right wires and you have bypassed it. A thief will be able to start any car period, if he takes the time. The trick is to make it so hard that it is a waste of his time. Hidden switches are the best since the thief will have to spend half an hour trying to find it. And chances are, if the thief can't find it in 5 minutes, he'll move on.
06-09-2003, 05:21 PM
#18
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This Ravelco thing sounds pretty cool.
One question: wouldn't that take a long time to match all the wires? I'm definitely not an expert about this subject but that's my gut feeling.
If they claim not a single vehicle has been stolen, that's quite a claim to make.
Bob
Match the right wires and you have bypassed it.
If they claim not a single vehicle has been stolen, that's quite a claim to make.
Bob
06-09-2003, 08:22 PM
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Originally posted by Andrey
If someone will really want to steal your car, all the clubs and alarms can be easily bypassed, believe me.
If anyone seen "Repo Man" show on TLC several weeks ago, they showed a little device which can cut any clubs in less than a minute. I was pretty impressed with that and how easy it was!
As far as alarms, bypassing one isn't too difficult either, as long as the person knows what he or she is doing. I'm not going to go into details, but most of alarms which are on the market today can be disabled in under 5 minutes.
If someone will really want to steal your car, all the clubs and alarms can be easily bypassed, believe me.
If anyone seen "Repo Man" show on TLC several weeks ago, they showed a little device which can cut any clubs in less than a minute. I was pretty impressed with that and how easy it was!
As far as alarms, bypassing one isn't too difficult either, as long as the person knows what he or she is doing. I'm not going to go into details, but most of alarms which are on the market today can be disabled in under 5 minutes.
Your normal car thief is looking for something to hit and go in a hurry - they don't want to go for something that'll take too long.
San Diego being so close to the border sees a lot of 4WD vehicles switch owners illegally and sometimes the biggest mistake people make is being lazy.
Not getting the alarm installed or leaving the Club in the backseat.
Follow your basic common sense and you shouldn't run into any problems.
Use your anti-theft devices
Don't leave your vehicle parked in the same location for too long
Keep valuables out of sight (saves you at least a broken window)
Don't forget to lock your doors and windows (some people are stupid enough to have to be reminded of this).
Park under lights or highly visible locations.
etc, etc, etc
Our toyotas (with few exceptions, of course
) are normal everyday vehicles. An exceptional thief will more likely go for an exceptional car. We need to be more worried about the normal thief.Of course, I'll be looking into that kill switch magnet mod from OneTrickToy
Better safe than sorry
06-09-2003, 08:38 PM
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Unbrakeable Auto Lock
I have the Unbrakeable Auto Lock that mounts on the brake pedal "arm." I have read that this is one of the best places to put a lock since there is a federal requirement that the brake pedal arm be unbreakable, and hardened so as to prevent cutting with a hacksaw or something like that. Sure, you could still cut it with a plasma cutter or torch, but who really is going to do that? (fingers crossed) As far as the tool for breaking "The Club" and similar steering wheel locks, well they sell those. I have seen one in a law enforcement catalog retailer- www.shomer-tec.com that is located here in WA state in fact.
