The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Has anyone had their truck stolen?

Any stories of this? Just wondering what the scenarios are and what to watch out for.. How about gawkers.. or people that think your truck is free game..was abandoned or something (if not painted , just clearcoat like I'm doing)?

I have had a few things similar with my truck, mine had about a 1:1 ratio of paint to surface rust. for a few months after buying it there was a guy in a big f@rd with tow chains wrapped around his bumpers that would stop and start positioning himself to hook up to my truck. Luckily a tactical flashlight was enough to scare him off. (probably thought I had a gun, but my wife getting it while i was out there). After that I put it up on jack stands and removed a tire until I could get my fence/gate installed. also had all my gas siphoned a few times along with a fuel line being cut and drained, as well as someone trying to steal my battery, they messed up the cables and terminals but couldn't get the battery out without tools.

So it all depends on your neighborhood and whatnot, a motion sensor light seemed to help a bit with would-be thief's.

Fences and dogs.

This is why I live in the country with fences and locked gates all around, dogs and security cameras. I just wish my dog would stop barking at the elk and cats every time he sees one...

If I knew someone was positioning themselves to steal my truck, I would gladly leave it exposed in the driveway every night. I would be sitting in a lawnchair in the dark with a 2" wrench and a .45, welcoming the opportunity to meet them face to face.

A kill switch is a really good deterrent. I wired in a hidden pushbutton ON-ON switch that when pushed out connects the ignition to the horn and when pushed in connects the ignition to the starter relay. If someone is trying to hot-wire my truck they will be letting me know also, a battery cutout switch is great but neither do much for you if someone is simply going to drag it away.

I don't think he knew it was running and driving based on the look of it. Plates were 20 years out as well.

Amazing. Thanks for the feedback guys. Also amazing someone thinks they have the right to do this. I know there was another thread on the forum somewhere about precautions. I think its helpful to get experiences from those who have encountered it.

My dad told me that he worked with a man back in the 70's that had a very nice 1957 chevy 2-door car. Stopped at a gas station, went inside. Truck and trailer with a winch pulled up, hooked up, and was gone with his car in about a minute. Someone had been watching and following. I guess the lesson is to keep your eyes peeled and try not to be predictable by driving/parking in the same locations daily. Also, whenever I park my truck somewhere, I try my best to park where it would be a huge inconvenience to try and steal my truck; I avoid the large open area in the back of parking lots.

What if you forget to flip your kill switch and your truck gets stolen, now what? Some have installed GPS or similar tracking devices. There are tons of tracking device options out there. Not on my truck (yet) but another rig of mine which is more desirable than the truck (is that possible? ) I have not only a kill switch but a tracking device that sends me a text each time the rig is moved. I can follow it on a map ap, blah, blah, blah. So, for those who drive their trucks often......

Older trucks have built in safety systems, foot operated starters and manual transmissions. Most of the younger generation don't know how to operate either of them. However, it's always good to protect your property with hood locks, kill switches, fuel shut off switches, tracking systems, and club's as required.
Fred

I like all the ideas including GPS. Wow, still cant blieve someone got their car stolen in seconds.. whew..

I have been half hearted researching cheap GPS locator options for a while now. It is always in the back of my head how easy it would be to steal and re-title one of these trucks. Not like a modern vehicle with vin number everywhere. Even if they couldn't re-title parts are a premium. The reason I like the GPS idea is if it does turn up missing I want to be able to go after the thief.

Unless you are somehow notified that the truck is suddenly being moved and you have the ability and means to quickly act fast to find it, it might be too late. It might already be stripped and left along the roadside. Another thing to consider regarding GPS is having a strong signal. If the GPS transmitter is located deep down inside the truck covered with metal such as the cab roof, hood, floorpan, etc, it's signal strength can be weakened big time. Try to find a spot that has a minimal amount of metal covering.

I use a steering wheel lock and try to park in a visible spot .basically if they want it they are going to try to take it .

hahaha i wonder if i can pay a chop shop to strip my rusty truck down for me. Im tired of fighting rusty bolts.

38 1.5 ton Ithink they have a hard time stealing ,after they break the key off trying to start it-then get cold feet...LOL

Just remember, out if sight out of mind! Otherwise it needs to be secured!

I find this whole thread interesting reading. I've been told by many people that my panel truck is rare these days. It sat in front of my old house for over a year, and noone took it, but then again, it was incomplete at that time. The more I get it closer to completion, the more I'm sure there will be interested parties in it.

Most of the time, there is another vehicle parked in front of it in our driveway. That said, it would be a challenge to try to pull in and take it.

If you are near a seaport, and, your truck is beautiful/restored : I was told by DMV inspectors that thieves can get any vehicle onto a boat to a foreign country very easily/quickly - "goodbye truck"

No USA ID/registration/owner-documents are needed in many countries.

Inside of a garage works best. I also park a vehicle in front of the door to make it extra hard.

They can be on the boat at Port Everglades in 5 hours from here. The old trucks and cars show up missing in the Orlando and Tampa areas. Several years ago one was stolen at an auto show in Orlando. The owner and police found it about a mile away blocking traffic. It had a fuel shut off valve somewhere. Doc.