Anti theft devices

[texasmike]

Are any of you folks familiar with steering column lock covers? The best one I have found is a CarGard CG-1AC by Simjack. The problem is they are out of stock and don't know when they will get any more. You can't even find them in used condition. I understand that it's fairly easy and quick for a thief to destroy the ignition switch, disable the steering wheel lock and then start the truck to drive off. Maybe if a theif spotted this large chunk of heavy metal, painted red, locked around the column, he might be discouraged and leave. I drive this truck a lot and have a whole lot of $ in it not to at least try something. I was at a garden nursery this week and a guy came over to complement me on the truck and explained to me how easy they are to steal. He had one stolen and said he regretted not doing something to maybe prevent it. I am not a believer in COINCIDENCE. Everything happens for a reason.
Thanks for the input.

 

[Dleslie212]

I am in the process of a complete re-wire of my truck. I'm going to be adding in a hidden kill switch for just this reason to kill power to the fuel pumps

 

[Rickf]

I always thought a clutch pedal would deter 75% of thefts.

 

[Grit dog]

It sure seems more secure than a club.
I went the hidden kill switch route.
Both are super easy and hidden switch is like less than $20.
Maybe consider both?
And a hidden AirTag if the first 2 measures fail.

 

[Bennyt]

I use the simjack style as they work. They're still available on ebay for $100. Be careful as there is a knockoff that has a cheap lock. The genuine has a ramped striker and a half moon key.

There used to be a heavy duty version that used a padlock.

 

[bucket]

I haven't seen any of those column guards in a long time. I've had two vehicles stolen, one was never recovered. If it had one of those guards, I might have still had the car today.

Grant may or may not still make a quick release steering wheel kit. It included a bright red metal cover that locked on in place of the wheel, so there was no steering shaft to turn and it was visible from the outside. Ideally the thief would see it and not even bother popping the door lock or busting a window.

 

[bucket]

I always thought a clutch pedal would deter 75% of thefts.

There's at least a couple aftermarket ratchet shifters that would also prevent a theft because they just plain can't figure out how to get it out of park.

 

[Shawn Watson]

I bought a dummy LED that flashes when the key is off that I'm likely going to zip tie to the defrost vent if it doesn't look trashy. I'm also giving serious thought to routing my neutral safety switch wire through an on/off toggle under the dash.

 

[texasmike]

I use the simjack style as they work. They're still available on ebay for $100. Be careful as there is a knockoff that has a cheap lock. The genuine has a ramped striker and a half moon key.

There used to be a heavy duty version that used a padlock.

I wish I could find the simjack lock, I would pay top dollar for one. Vital All-Terrain makes one that's similar but it doesn't look quite as sturdy and fit as tight. Has anyone tried one of these? Kill switches are good but they won't stop a thief from breaking in and completely destroying the steering column, with little time and effort, before he discovers it won't start.

 

[Bennyt]

Some of these appear to be knock-offs but plenty on ebay. Better to have a knock-off than nothing at all. Some foam padding on the inside will help keep it tight to the column.

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[Grit dog]

It’s a tough call between actual security measures and purely visual deterrents. Although anything that helps one sleep at night.
There’s not really a “wrong” answer, just varying levels of real, or perceived, effectiveness and even that varies, situationally.
Like the hats your highest potential or what are you primarily guarding against? Because parked at home in a garage while you’re away from home is different than Walmart parking lot prowlers, which is different than leaving the rig unattended at a trailhead in the woods for hours or days.

And then just where you live and how apt it is in general, to get stolen….
I went with the $5 simple, hidden (different than most claim to “hide” a switch) that creates confusion for the car thief AFTER stealing it.
Fits our scenario the most as the highest likelihood of theft is a local parking lot and one can’t reasonably actively prevent access into a 40 year old truck and the ignitions are as simple as they get. And anything “solid” in the way is much easier removed in recent years with good battery power tools. So why fight that stuff? I’ve seen many failed and successful thefts on company trucks, newer than squarebodys obviously, and one of the common themes is many thieves will break or destroy anything and everything physically to do what they’re trying to do.
So if you have a valuable old vehicle, prevent the “massive vandalism” that is highly likely to occur whether successful or not, and let them have the vehicle. Hell, leave the doors or window unlocked too.
I’m using the “if someone steals it and takes off down the road and it dies and won’t re-start, the likelihood of the vehicle sustaining a physical beating is MUCH less and the likelihood of recovery is MUCH greater with an abandoned vehicle in a public spot.
I’ve tested it. Warm engine, security engaged, it will start and drive normally for a few hundred yards (or idle for about a minute) before dying.

 

[texasmike]

Thanks, those are all good points. I appreciate the time you took to write them out.
I like the delayed stop scenario you mentioned. At least the chance would be somewhat better for recovering the truck, albeit with a destroyed ignition switch along with a broken wheel lock and tilt mechanism. Is there a kit available with instructions for installing one?

 

[Albrigap]

I bought a dummy LED that flashes when the key is off that I'm likely going to zip tie to the defrost vent if it doesn't look trashy. I'm also giving serious thought to routing my neutral safety switch wire through an on/off toggle under the dash.

Under the dash is the first place they look.
Get creative.

 

[mrdap]

What about something like a Viper alarm system?

 

[texasmike]

I don’t know what that is.