The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Any advise for keeping my truck from being hotwired and stolen?

Since my 59 GMC predated any kind of security system, what do you advise for keeping my truck from being hotwired and stolen?

A foot-actuated starter pedal.

Or, a hidden battery disconnect.

Maybe someone will comment on the cost of a GPS tracking unit.

Hidden kill switch, master battery disconnect, fake coil wire made of vacuum tubing (that is a clever one I have seen). It is a balance sometimes between activation and security but those are some basic ones that don't involve in-depth modification.

Or you could do what a smart [censored]ed friend of mine did and take out the rotor button. I checked under the cap before my 6 volt battery went dead and hunted him down like a dog that he is.

Harbor freight sells a battery disconect switch, it has a removable bright red key. Drill a hole in it and put it on your key ring when not in the truck. Alarm from hell from LMC, and a steering wheel lock bar made by Masterlock. The fake coil wire thing sounds great!

A hidden kill switch wired before the ign. switch works good.

Pete

Keep your standard transmission. This was discussed a little while ago. Click here for explanation.

a bumper sticker:

THIS VEHICLE IS GUARDED BY A PIT BULL WITH AIDS

IF THAT DOESN'T IMPRESS YOU, I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO THE BIKER WHO GAVE THE AIDS TO THE PIT BULL!

All of the devices that disable the ignition are ok, but they won't keep the vehicle from being towed. And a lot of stolen vehicles are towed. Turning the front wheels all the way to the lock and then using a cable that is wrapped around the gear shift to keep it in gear and then locked to the steering wheel will keep the casual thief from stealing it. However, if they have been eying it for some time, they will bring a bolt cutter. Keeping it in a closed garage is probably the most secure, but if a professional wants to steal it, it will get stolen. Especially if you are close to a sea port where they can get it into a container and it will be gone forever.

Make it too big to fit into a container.

I have a battery disconnect from So Cal speed shop that has a removable metal key. Plus I lock it up anytime I leave it in public (other than car shows). Since mine has a steering wheel lock (newer column) also with column shift, I'm not too worried about towing attempts. No one knows it better than me, as it's custom.

There have been threads like this in the past with all sorts of neat ideas and tricks that I think are ultimately of little value.

If someone really wants to steel your vehicle they can and will.

To keep the casual person from jumping in and taking it for a spin lock the doors and take the key out of the ignition. Any more than that if someone is determined to steel it they can figure out a way.

Sure, but if yours is locked up and they know of another that isn't, they'll steal that one instead. I make mine hard enough without making it a pain for me. Anytime I leave it unattended for more than a few minutes I shut off the battery and also take the key with me, and the doors are locked.

If they want it they'll take it, but it's all about preventing the 'easy take'.

Not sure what I'm going to run on mine when it's done... been looking at the prox switch. no keys. when you walk away it locks and disables ignition.
When I had my rock crawler in Denver, I put a fuel pump switch in. It would start, but not stay running... I disabled the ignition on the key tumbler. still needed the key for power, but it used a push button to start. I left the keys in it. didn't want them destroying it. Figured it added to much headache to steeling it... lol

I did see a collector car with a wheel boot lock which seemed like a good idea, not easy to tow with one of those attached. I like the electrical ideas and I thought I saw a locking mechanism welded to the hood latch which would keep the low lifes from messing with your truck

I was thinking of just adding a switch that cut power to the truck and Hide it under the dash or seat. Basically the same plan, just make it a pain in the [censored] to swipe

That's a battery cutoff switch. You can get one with a removable key as well.

I think the foot start button will delay many of the younger thieves, every year when I take it in for inspection I have to explain it to the techs!