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Radio Security Idea Help

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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 10:52 AM
  #1  
tommmalone's Avatar
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Question Radio Security Idea Help

Hi Everyone,
I have an 88 regular cab pickup and I am PCSing (Moving) from Washington to Florida. Since I have no AC I'm going to take the doors off once I get down there but I am worried that my Radio will get stolen again, even though I removed the faceplate last time.
Does anyone have any ideas or things that they have done or seen to essentially lock their radio into place or be able to secure their radio so it wont get stolen?
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 11:00 AM
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You can always take it with you
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by se7enine
You can always take it with you
^^ This.

I can't think of a way to make the radio theft-proof. Determined thieves will try their best to steal the radio regardless of how you mount it.

Even if you could make the radio super secure, thieves will completely destroy your interior trying.

I would keep your doors on if you can. It keeps your truck less "open to the public".

I think the easiest thing to do is to install a radio that isn't desirable to most people, usually an older radio. The least "flashy" radios don't draw too much attention. Who wants to steal a '90s cassette radio these days?

Unfortunately you would lose many of the modern features you enjoy on a modern stereo head unit.

Or you can go with this theft-proof solution!





Last edited by old87yota; Dec 10, 2017 at 11:20 AM.
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 11:23 AM
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You can wear shorts and flip flops. Roll the widows down, that can help also. Is it legal to drive without windshield in Florida?
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 11:47 AM
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I didn't know stealing radios was still a thing.
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 12:29 PM
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As long as there's drug addicts, then there's petty thieves.
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 12:29 PM
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Yes radio theft is still a big thing.
Unfortunately, I am constantly in uniform so I cant exactly wear flip flops and shorts all the time. Trust me id like to.

What do you guys think about just mounting the radio in the glovebox and getting a lock for that? any potential problems you can forsee?
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 01:01 PM
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Theft and vandalism go hand in hand so if they can't steal the radio it's still possible to vandalize your truck if it isn't secured by the doors. A locked glove box isn't going to stop a pry bar at all. The plastic will flex and unhinge with ease.
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 01:12 PM
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If they don't see a radio to steal they will probably steal your whole truck. I imagine it's a question of low hanging fruit when it comes to crack heads and stealing stuff, your truck is easier to get than someone's caddy since you don't have doors. It might be cheaper to give them a cheap stereo to distract them from busting open your steering column.
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 01:26 PM
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Perhaps something along these lines...http://www.instructables.com/id/Car-...adio-fake-out/
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 02:36 PM
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oops!

Last edited by scope103; Dec 10, 2017 at 02:38 PM.
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 02:37 PM
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A friend of mine opined (many years ago) "The best $300 car anti-theft system ... is a car worth $300."

If you're driving a 30 (!!) yr-old vehicle with no doors and no A/C, you're already pretty low on the "steal this vehicle" list. I know you like your tunes, but why put a valuable (and re-sellable) radio in an otherwise unattractive vehicle? Just get a plain-ole am/fm and be done with it. Or figure out how to hook your fancy phone to the existing speaker system.

By the way, the forecast tonight for Jacksonville is 33°. Are you sure you want to be driving around with no way to "close" the doors?
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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by scope103
...) "The best $300 car anti-theft system ... is a car worth $300."
This^^^
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Old Dec 11, 2017 | 05:51 AM
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i had one of these mounted in my 81, mounts stereo in the locking portion
https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-31815-Security-Stereo-Console/dp/B001CF3IZ6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513003851&sr=8-2&keywords=smittybilt+console https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-31815-Security-Stereo-Console/dp/B001CF3IZ6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513003851&sr=8-2&keywords=smittybilt+console

i drove my 81 Trekker sometimes up to 6 months out of the year with no top and half doors
you need to consider other security measures..
grant removeable steering wheel
ignition switches in sequence
transfer case selector locked to gear shifter
fuel pump switch etc
I had all of these stuff (except fuel pump cause the 22r was mechanical pump) and they still tried ripping off my truck

Last edited by dropzone; Dec 11, 2017 at 05:54 AM.
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