73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Stewart G Griffin on April 26, 2010, 01:50:54 pm
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Well, since the weather is getting better among other things, i think it's high-time to talk about security:
1) What do you think about this device:
http://www.neverstolen.com/
2) What about other devices/plans?
i know clubs and pedal locks can be easily defeated, but i figure they are better than nothing because it will delay the more serious thieves and the more amateur/joyriders may be deterred by these devices.
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Any security system will be better than none. This system might work on rookies. It might prevent your truck from being stolen, but I dont think it will prevent it from being broken into to be stolen. I would look at something more obvious like a audible alarm. If you scare someone from getting inside, the chances of it being taken are less. IMO.
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If you are thinking strictly theft protection from being stolen you can easily make your own system for under $10 bucks.
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double up a red wire from coil to under your seat. Put a toggle switch on it under your seat. Attach other end to 12v.hot so you can toggle off/on. OPen your truck to get out, flip the switch. Can't turn back on.
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True, a simple kill switch can be put in for really cheap by yourself and you choose where the switch is. Alarms put in at stores are always put in at the same location unless you request, and pay, for it to be somewhere else. Still doesn't do much against smash n' grabs. If I have to leave my vehicles for a long period of time somewhere other than my garage, I'll take the coil wire or something like to physically prevent ignition. Doesn't prevent a tow-truck theft though but what can ya do right?
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Im so glad I dont have to worry about anything getting stolen around here. Just a thought, could you tie the toggle switch inline with the neautral safety switch? If I understand it right, its a ground circuit, and I would rather switch a ground, or if its positive it should be a low current circuit, which would make the switch last longer. Just a thought. ???
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The best place on a carbureted HEI to put a circuit opening device would be in the ignition module circuit. Anything else can be more easily bypassed.
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i'll take in consideration the kill-switch idea; Any links?
What do you think about the Ravelco system in the above link?
Any other ideas? These trucks are too easy to steal in stock form, coupled with the fact that they are highly desireable.
In fact, i was going to start driving it today, but am holding off until i find some more security systems/devices etc.
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I've had a Ravelco on my truck for about 3 years and like it.
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Revelco won't work if they tow it away. I think if a certain vehicle is a target for a thief they will get it no mater what. I believe if you carefully hide a kill switch and devise a good way to keep your hood from being opened you will keep the away the amateur but if your truck is wanted by a professional, they will get it, guaranteed.
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Stew the gov. Is not after your truck you will be ok. Watch you kidney tho
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Fuel shut off
Kill switch 12V
Line lock, lock the front brakes
Dog and shotgun
motion sensor
Pager alert
Theres allkinds, these trucks are easy to steal. 1 min inside with a dent puller and screwdriver the thief can be driving away.
Something to think about.
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The one nice thing I like about the Ravelco is they are not gonna hot wire it from the cab. They're gonna have to monkey around under the hood some. That's not based on any advertisement, but rather my understanding of how it works and how it was installed. And hopefully that will be enough to thwart the casual thief.
But like other's have said, if they REALLY want your truck there's not a alot you can do about it. Tow aways are becoming more and more common.
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I just read a post on another board, I beleive it has to do with newer stuff.
A thief can look thru the windshield get your VIN# go to the dealer and they will make him a key!
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I just read a post on another board, I beleive it has to do with newer stuff.
A thief can look thru the windshield get your VIN# go to the dealer and they will make him a key!
1) That's so true---so it's best to keep the vin# on the dash covered.
2) i think we should figure out how to enact legislation so that if a person is convicted of using a tow truck to steal a car, the tow truck automatically goes to the person whos car was stolen. The thief loses their licence permanently---revoked. AND at least 20 yrs prison time.
a) this is sort of like in certain southern california counties, if you're caught street racing your car automatically goes to the crusher. Same thing here.
b) in the case of the tow truck going to the victim. The victim can choose to keep it or take the proceeds from auction sale by the state.
3) i'm going to look into cables such as this not only to tie around the steering wheel+brake pedal, but the actual truck to lampposts, trees, parking meters, anything immovable.
scroll down to harley-davidson cable
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/security_locks_comparison/index.html
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Well even if they could make you a key as old as theses trucks are the key probably been changed at least once
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like some said a security systme will only slow them down..
if they want it the will get it.
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3) i'm going to look into cables such as this not only to tie around the steering wheel+brake pedal, but the actual truck to lampposts, trees, parking meters, anything immovable.
scroll down to harley-davidson cable
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/security_locks_comparison/index.html
LOL. That'll be a sight. You tying your truck to a lamp post. ::)
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I thought about chaining my truck, to my utility trailer, chained to my Chevelle, all lined up down the side of my house. I park them almost touching so hard to access hoods and harder to see a heavy duty chain laying on ground. That would make a heck of a lot of racket for sure. Especially If I "forgot" myself.
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I have one of these ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcfm-lKoKIs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcfm-lKoKIs)
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I would never put that system or type of system on my truck, bike or skateboard.... their site has misleading information (in my opinion)..
one, you have to manually plug something in every use, remove it everytime you leave the vehicle... seems like it would be real easy to leave it in when you go to the store... and that one time... bam thief just took your car...
on their main page
"To date, even after 34 years in business and 4 million installations worldwide, not one vehicle has ever been stolen by defeating a properly installed and utilized Ravelco Antitheft Device. "
It doesnt state this, but its implied that cars have been stolen with this device installed but the owner left the plug installed at time of thieft.
under "the competition" #8
"These devices all work in conjunction with relays that continuously burn up due to the high amperage from the starter wire to which they are connected. Most of them even have a toggle switch which allows a person to override the system. Car thieves are not at all deterred by these devices. "
uhh, dont think so buddy. "burn up due to high amperage" whaa, no. The wires that are cut is the control side of the starter solenoid, typically 14 gauge and thinner.. not the fat 00 red positive wire [moron]. And even then, who wires in a backup override switch anyway... if you do it right the first time you shouldnt need a override switch. IF it should fail, you installed it and know where to start looking for a repair. Lastly, I like how they say "car thieves are not at all deterred..." so what your saying is if they cant find the "secret spot" they cant start it anyway, just like your product..
They also state on one of their pages, stealing a car via tow truck is uncommon... psshh... thats probally the best way to steal one in the first place. If the tow truck looks nice and expensive who's going to think 2x about that vehicle being stolen. They are probally thinking that pos is brooken down.. if its a regular truck with a towtruck hook in the bed... yeah thats probally not a good sign.
Granted they do offer alot of facts about alarms and their color coded wires... thats good info... simply remove the wires from the connector and mix them up. In your installation manual, cross out the old and write the new color in.. simple, effectve and will definatly cause trouble for the thief. Or just buy some terminals and run all white wire like planes use. You can only connect one wire at a time right?
Also, I would never pay someone to install an alarm on MY vehicle... Well, you know that some people have good work ethics and well some just dont care and collect that paycheck. If you do it yourself, you can take the time of day to mount the "braine" in a good hard to access spot, route the wires in a factory like way and be golden. Typically the alarm comes with the starter kill relay and is good for the starter solenoid or ignition.. a sudgestion would be to kill 2 circuits with that one output wire, such as fuel pump + starter, or hei module + stater. starters can be started with a screw driver.... but if you have a secondary circuit disabled well theres a good chance they will not be able to drive off with your car.
So if you want a good reliable security system, get a quality alarm with a paging key fob, so when it goes off, you can be aware and prepare yourself for the next step what ever it will be. My truck was hit 2x in 1 week in the apartments I was living at for the time. one was at 5pm, trucks about 50 ft and the tv was on... didnt even hear the alarm go off, but when my pager went off, out the door I went. The guy was honest and took care of the accident. The 2nd time was 3am and you guessed it I was asleep. Didnt hear the alarm go off, but I woke up to the sound of the pager. Jumped out of bed and almost grabed the .45 but didnt... the lady that hit me just parked her car in a different spot and she had been drinking and eventually she too paid for the damage done.
These pager alarms usually has some range on them... Im talking a football field range... (not even lying). You will atleast have knowledge your alarms going off weather or not they cut the siren.
Add a shock sensor if it doesnt come with one along with a tilt sensor.
Add a 2nd kill switch that requires the driver to do something before they can start the car... lots of neat things that can be done that can seem transparent to even passengers.
in the end, if the thief has the means, will, determination and time... chances are the thief will take your car.
Clint
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or use a ford logo.
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Springfield XD45 ;D
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Yes, the Springfield is quite a persuading anti-theft tool! I also have seen a bumper sticker that said "Secured by Smith and Wesson"
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^ lol I've seen one that says "Alarm by Rottweiler. Secured by Smith and Wesson"
Passive immobilizers were heavily promoted by our gov't-run insurance company around here around 10-15 years ago. They still give discounts if you have some kind of alarm device. I remember the one they pushed had a fob or some kind of thing that you had to insert in order for the car to start. They touted that it had 7 different methods of protection so that if one were bypassed by the thief, he had to get around 6 more to start the car. I'm sure the problem was people leaving them in all the time, too lazy to bother.
But, something is better than nothing at all.
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Next, i'd like to get into the concept of the removable steering wheel; Good idea?
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removable steering wheel is a good idea, but when you go to the mall or grocery store your not gonna want to carry your steering wheel around with you . Those are the most common places for thefts around here.I do agree that for when the truck is at home or work, where you have someplace to put it though. It is probably a good extra security device though
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1) Here's what i've come up with so far:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd31/sencraig/0133.jpg)
i've installed a lock in the steering shaft along with cable routed thru the lower control arm. i don't know what this part in the steering shaft assembly is called?
This is an 83 and apparently there are no u-joints in this shaft---it's pretty much a straight shot. And i wish there were u-joints to make this easy.
Several problems to the point where i can't use it---yet.
a) very difficult to install----the cable/chain could go around the frame rail, but i found it easier to wrap the cable around the lower control arm.
b) being that i used a cable, this does allow for a little movement in the steering wheel----but only a little.
i think using an appropriate length chain could help solve both a and b.
Due to difficulty in installing the system along with the fact that this part only allows locks to a certain, very small, sized to be utilized, i feel it would be better if a custom clamp of some sort could be fashioned up and maybe permanently installed on the shaft; Then, when parked a larger, more reasonably sized lock and chain could be put on this clamp---most likely wrapping the chain around the framerail. Are there any commercially available items like this?
2) If this had worked out better, then i would have felt that this, in conjunction with using some sort of hood lock and using a club and disconnecting the negative cable from the battery would be good enough for now.
a) the problem is that i couldn't quite set up a good way to lock the hood---can you give specific examples?
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stew I'm speechless i think your going to far to perfect your truck when all you have to do is kill the hot wire to the distributor and thats it if they have a tow truck nothing will save it. like you said this would take too long to setup everytime you take your car out and if someone that wants your truck will probably see you park it and set this up then take a bolt cutter and they got your truck like said above if they want it they got it
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stew I'm speechless i think your going to far to perfect your truck when all you have to do is kill the hot wire to the distributor and thats it if they have a tow truck nothing will save it. like you said this would take too long to setup everytime you take your car out and if someone that wants your truck will probably see you park it and set this up then take a bolt cutter and they got your truck like said above if they want it they got it
Well, that may be true, but then they would have to get thru the hood lock first (if they even have the right bolt cutters on hand), then i've got a few other tricks up my sleeve, so really it's a matter of slowing them down.
All for an 83 truck.
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Wire up a floor dimmer kill switch to the coil. That would slow down if not completely deter someone from getting it running. Humvee's are equipped with cables that you wrap around the steering wheel and padlock. That never stopped anybody from messing with your vehicle, but at least they weren't able to joyride it around post and leave it somewhere. Really I think your best bet is to always park next to a nicer, more valuable vehicle and hope they take that instead, or go with the Springfield. I prefer the .40s&w.
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In 5 years, I dont think I ever saw a HMMWV with its cable locked.
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I didn't either until one got jacked at NTC. Luckily they didn't get the SINCGARS out of it. Oops wouldn't even begin to describe misplacing that piece of equipment.
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They leave them in? Wow. We never left a vehicle unattended unless all the comm, weapons and ammo were out of it.
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I guess they left the comm in when they had their trucks shipped in by rail. Somebody relocated it from the staging area when they got in. It wasn't one of our trucks but we all got the spiel about cable locks, PMCS, etc, etc. Whenever we had our vehicles meet us at the training site we had everything connexed. We couldn't even leave the pioneer kits on a vehicle, and we always had an advance party to check them in. They should have had it bike cabled to a HEMTT ;D
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Stew I just saw, well tonight an episode on efinn science on g4 it was these guys made there own security system and I thought of you. one was they had a amp of some sort and when someone didn't turn it off and tried to take off it would send out a sound of 148 des. Then they took a cell phone and wired it to the ECM or in our case the distributor via the vibrator motor in the phone and when they called the phone it would open the circuit by triggering a relay and kill the car. And the last one was they made an ejector seat
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Stew I just saw, well tonight an episode on efinn science on g4 it was these guys made there own security system and I thought of you. one was they had a amp of some sort and when someone didn't turn it off and tried to take off it would send out a sound of 148 des. Then they took a cell phone and wired it to the ECM or in our case the distributor via the vibrator motor in the phone and when they called the phone it would open the circuit by triggering a relay and kill the car. And the last one was they made an ejector seat
That's all cool, but for now i need an example of how to lock a hood down. This is a 81-87(91) style frontend.
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Stew remember locks are meant to keep honest people honest.
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So honest people get into something because there is no lock? I know what you mean by it, though.
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Stew remember locks are meant to keep honest people honest.
And they are meant to slow or stop the thieves, in my opinion.
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It may deter what I'd call an opportunist but it definitely won't stop a thief or barely slow them down. JCWhitney used to sell locking hood latch key locks that were direct fit. I doubt if they do anymore.
Here's a universal one http://www.amazon.com/Megatronix-Mechanical-Cable-Ignition-Interrupt/dp/B000U39REC
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This is strange, I've just seen one of these for the first time at the car auction last week. It took me a minute to figure out what it was. I was thinking wow, this is old technology. It was on a 76 Monte Carlo,it was probable cutting edge technology back then (they also had a 75 vette with the lock on the front left fender).
If you read the add closely they claim that a vehicle has never been stolen by defeating this device. I'm sure that many vehicles were stolen just by towing them away, without touching this device.
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i'm probably going to get a boot and possibly 4 boots. i'd like to discuss mostly mechanical type theft devices for now----such as clubs, collars etc.
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i'm probably going to get a boot and possibly 4 boots.
speaking of boots, heck, find out where your local city gets those boots they put on parking ticket violators and order yourself one. Modify the lock so that your kind, honest city worker can't take it off. That way the truck isn't going anywhere.
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Get personalized plates that say CORLEONE.
When thieves see that you're a made man they won't mess with your ride
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Get personalized plates that say CORLEONE.
When thieves see that you're a made man they won't mess with your ride
Just get a tag that says STOLEN ...lol itll draw attention wherever it goes...
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i'm probably going to get a boot and possibly 4 boots. i'd like to discuss mostly mechanical type theft devices for now----such as clubs, collars etc.
You must live in the Mega-Ghetto.
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I will put a kill switch but look what came with my 85 C-10 I just picked up. It has CarGard sticker on it. With tilt set straight you slide it through the tilt/turn signal stalk and it covers up the key switch. It was a "Oh by they way behind the seat" after I bought it.
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I run a Cat disconnect switch on the 74. I mounted it on the passenger side inner fender. Just split your negative battery cable. Removeable key helps.
http://www.tornadoparts.com/servlet/the-57/Caterpillar-Equipment-Battery-Disconnect/Detail
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What about something other than glass for the windows as a deterrant? I've always wanted to do that. My cars have only ever gotten broken into that way.
Ps, in texas you can shoot a man for breaking into your car on your property ;)
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in tx cant you just shot a man for being on your property lol
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basically.
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i'm moving to the Lonestar state. They have common sense down there.
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i'm moving to the Lonestar state. They have common sense down there.
I lived there from Jul 91- Jan 96. I will agree in many ways, didn't like the insurance and tax structure compared to Indiana however the rust free stuff was nice to see all the time. No state income tax at the time but cost of living was more with everything else added in to it.
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I run a Cat disconnect switch on the 74. I mounted it on the passenger side inner fender. Just split your negative battery cable. Removeable key helps.
http://www.tornadoparts.com/servlet/the-57/Caterpillar-Equipment-Battery-Disconnect/Detail
Easily bypassed with even a jumper cable
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Its tucked back in under the AC box, most won't dig deep enough to try and find it. Its not perfect but it works.
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i'm probably going to get a boot and possibly 4 boots. i'd like to discuss mostly mechanical type theft devices for now----such as clubs, collars etc.
You must live in the Mega-Ghetto.
Not really, it's just these trucks are too easy to steal; We've got to do whatever we can to make it as difficult as possible.
Still exploring random thoughts here and there before i go to "stage 2." Another thing i was thinking about lately is if you have a lockup converter, switch it to manual control, hide the switch and leave it engaged whenever you park. This will make it difficult if not impossible to start and if it does somehow get started, it will stall out everytime at a light or stop sign----makes it hard to get away with.
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I think a better idea would be the Lojak system- if the truck is going to get ripped off anyway, at least it would have a tracking device installed.
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My truck has the original, exterior hood release, which isn't very secure at all. When I've felt the need to have the hood secured, I lay under the front of the truck and run a very large chain (hardened chain, so even if someone has bolt cutters or a hack saw, they're gonna be there for a bit.) around the frame, then through some of those holes on the underside of the hood, and lock it up with a nice, heavy Master lock. Maybe I open the hood, run the chain through the holes, then carefully close the hood....it's been a while since I've done it.
I think the 15 year old Pioneer tape deck, with a few missing buttons on it, probably discourages people from breaking in to steal anything. I also have an alarm on it, and a kill switch under the dash. Yeah, someone can disconnect the alarm, and find the kill switch, but why would they bother? The way I see it, I don't have to make my truck impossible to steal or break in to. I just have to make it a little bit harder, and a little less appealing, than my neighbor's truck, or the truck parked three rows away from me.
My favorite theft deterrent is on my garage, not my truck. I have two windows on my garage, one of which I boarded up. The window that's in there opens by pivoting on the bottom, with the top portion folding inward. There are two sliding bolts that secure the window. If you break the glass and reach in to release those bolts, you'll cut your arms to shreds on the razor blades that I screwed to the window frame in front of the bolts. They're positioned in a way that would make it unlikely I would cut myself opening the window from the inside. If I do, I should have known better. :)
I got the idea after reading about someone who lined the underside edge of his dashboard with razor blades, so that if anyone tried to reach underneath and bypass his kill switch, they'd get cut to shreds.
And if anyone DOES get into my garage, I keep EVERY tool locked up. They aren't going to use my tools to break into my truck. Or out of the garage. (I've got four separate padlocks on the garage door. Two outside and two inside.) I also keep outside lights on at night, plus I have motion sensing lights in other areas. And, of course, shotguns and rifles in the house.
Don't forget the demographic that you're working with, either. Most likely, you're not going to have someone with experience, or even education, trying to swipe your ride to make a boat load of money. It's either gonna be some crackhead jacking your stereo, and whatever else he can grab while he's in your vehicle, so he can trade it for drugs. Or some punk that wants to go for a joy ride. If someone is lusting after your rig bad enough though, he's gonna get it.
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Thats one reason I wanted a manual. Most average people dont know how to drive stick.
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cant find em, grind em
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Thats one reason I wanted a manual. Most average people dont know how to drive stick.
Great point. People that steal from other people don't seem to bother learning about anything. AT ALL.
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Thats one reason I wanted a manual. Most average people dont know how to drive stick.
Wouldn't that make them below average? ;D
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Thats one reason I wanted a manual. Most average people dont know how to drive stick.
Wouldn't that make them below average? ;D
Now that you mention it actually... hahaha!
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1979C20
One more post like that and you WILL be banned permanently. Capische?
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What about suggestions for a fuel shutoff?
Would it basically go like this:
Use something like this(not nessesarily from speedway, but similar)
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/AN6-Fuel-Shut-Off-Valve,7911.html
Cut the original fuel line from pump to carb, taking out the appropriate amount to accomodate the the length of the shutoff.
Flare each side of the fuel line that you just cut, but first put the appropriate A/N or otherwise "female" (i don't like that term i wish there was another term) fittings
Then simply connect everything and you're done?
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It will still run with the fuel in the fuel bowl and if it dies while driving most theifs will just let it roll and jump out - now your truck is trashed. Not a very good security system. Open the ignition primary circuit and it will never run.
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Well, i was going to shut it off with the engine still running and let the bowl run dry.
How about great detail when installing the open ignition primary circuit?
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Install an interupt switch in the pick up coil circuit if you want to make it really simple.
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You could even put the kill switch between the ignition wire and the starter solenoid. Some people get greative, like make the kill switch the turn signal so you have to turn the left blinker on to start the truck.
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i need step by step instructions.