How are you adding additional security for your convertible?

Do you have a kill switch? If so, where/how did you mount it?

Do you have an alarm? If so, where/how did you install it? What kind is it and what did it cost?

Do you use a "Club"?

Do you rely on the VATS alone?

Do you live way out in the sticks and have a big ole dog along with a shotgun loaded with rock salt?

Curious,

 

I've gotten rid of the START function on my steering column and use a two part push button starter along with two back up kill switches. (which are usually on anyways...) I plan on getting an alarm here sometime in the near future with some sort of motion sensor for the inside.

 

2 way pager alarm and a proxy sensor.

i rely on VATS for the fuel, starter and ignition kill.

 

Grant removable steering wheel. Cant steal a car without a steering wheel, and the locking plate on the steering column prevents anyone from bringing their own steering wheel to the party.


Nobody pays attention to alarms anymore, and if you are where you cannot hear it..........


Removable faceplate on the stereo and hidden speakers. No one has any desire to break into my ride.

 

Right now I am relying on VATS... and a removable face plate for the CD player.

I have looked into Alarm Systems and a while back found something that was interesting. It incorporated a motion sensor so that if anyone reached into the car with the top down that the alarm would sound... So far I have not found exactly what I want but I'm still looking. If anyone has something good I'd like to know the Make and Model of it...

I don't usualy drive the car anywhere where I feel that it would be unsafe. It does sit at home a good bit where there is nobody around except for my 80lb lab. He looks pretty imposing but would probably lick an intruder to death!

 

Can I hear more about this? I'm curious about cost, brand, etc.

I'm using the club and VATS. I want more advanced protection I think.

"The Dude abides." - The Big Lebowski

 

Basically, I think, when your alarm goes off, you get a page or phonecall (from your car) letting you know its going off.

You can get that motion sensor on most alarms now also. Had one on ttop TA I used to own.

The coolest alarm now though involves closed circuit camera mounted at various places in your car. Pricey though!


But i'm telling you, get a removeable wheel and sleep better at night.

 

VATS + Jacobs Electronic ingition system. It has a cool feature of an ignition cutoff that will engage in roughly 15 seconds if the car is started without tripping the switch soon after. The car will turn over after that, but it WON'T start again for roughly 15 minutes. This often will leave the thief stranded in traffic. Not a place they will want to stay. I also have the CLUB and use it. Another theft deterrent is I have a stock GM cassette stereo. Much less likely to have someone want to break into the car for that. I also use an interior cover from California Car Cover Co. which I put on when the car will be sitting for more than a few minutes with the top down. It protects the interior and contents from both UV and prying eyes.

Lon

 

Cool...can you find those car covers online? I have leather and I like to keep it from getting too hot and start to dry and crack. Lately I've been using a sunshield up front and another one over the back seats.


I still have the original factory CD player somewhere. I was going to pull the faceplate off the original and use it as a cover on what I have now. Yes, already have a removable face plate, but I still think it would be neat to pull off. Fun to see those big, old Delco radios still inside.

 

California Car Cover Co. used to have a picture of a ThirdGen F-body 'vert with the interior cover installed, but no longer. You can order the cover here. Here's a picture from their web site of one installed on a Corvette, which is very similar. To install it, (with the top down & tonneau closed) open the trunk. Then slip in 4 straps from the interior cover into the slot between the trunk decklid and tonneau and close the trunk. Pull the cover forward over the interior and onto the windshield. Next secure the straps around the mirrors and secure them to the exposed velcro. Last lock the doors and secure the two straps through the door handles and velcro. It takes a LOT less time to secure this type of cover vs. a full car cover, which means you're likely to use it a lot more frequently. Also it cuts down on the wear and tear of your car since you don't have to put up the top and raise the power windows all the time.



Lon

 

Just pop the hood and remove the ECM fuel pump fuse. easy and free.....

 

I just may need to get me one of those car covers!

 

Wow,
You guys are braver than I am. I dont think that I would ever post my anti-theft info on the web. I have a few tricks too, but I dont want the theifs to browse this forum and know what I am doing to stop them.

 

I use a club to deter the casual thief. If a pro really wants my car, he's gonna take it no matter what I do. If I had a Viper, 'Vette or some other high 5 figure car, I would be more concerned about security. But most pros won't even look at a 4 - 5 thousand dollar car. I'm more concerned about joyriding kids or junkies looking for a quick ride. And they don't usually carry tools around that will defeat a simple club.

 

Install a GOOD alarm system such as a DEI product. On the thirdgens , install not only starter kill , but also kill the ignition (pink wire) . Duplicate the factory harnesses by neatly wrapping your work in black electrical tape and wire loom . Put the relays high up in the dash where they are hard to access and cannot easily be seen. Do NOT mount the alarm brain in plain sight under the dash. Install a dual-zone proximity (radar) sensor with an inner and outer field with flip switches (hidden, of course) to disable the fields in the event of a hard rainstorm. If they really want your car ,they'll steal it ,no matter what. It's kinda hard to defeat a tow truck. Leave it locked in your garage if you have one.Security is best in multi layers and the more layers you have, the better.

 

another good thing would be lo-jack or Viper's GPS traking system. that way when they defeat your alarm, find your kill switch(s) and figure out how to drive it away without the steering wheel, you can track 'em down and show them why you never mess with some ones car <-- Theif

 

Good idea, but perhaps you've seen the steel accel. pedal lock on TV!? This is one amazing product where demonstrated, no one could attempt to cut it off! Very cool. I got myself a Club at the local Goodwill for $20 to $30. Not bad.
Resister key proved to cut theft and rates for the Corvette. Not a bad trickle down for F cars too

 

There is a great product that ran in one of the magazines a few years ago. It is a system that allows you to keylock your brakes. The magazine article had them splice into the brake system near the booster. Lines are run through the firewall, and attach to the keylock. It is similiar to a line-lock used for drag racing, but it has a security key. You press the brake, turn the key, and the system holds pressure in the line. I haven't heard much about this system, I always figured it might cause problems with the brake pressure being held on, but it would definately prevent theft. It also makes the car very hard to tow.

 

The club's worthless, at wyotech we have a teacher that likes showing off how he can pick them in less then a minute. You might be able to stop an amatuer looking for a joyride.

Starter kill isn't going to stop a tow truck.

A paging alarm will help alot. That way you'll know the alarm is going off and can do something about it. You might be able to see a tow truck or stop someone trying to get your radio

A lo-jack system does have a back up battery. So if hidden well that's something that could work. It's a one time costs of about $700 too, but if you think it's worth it, get it.