I just thought it would be interesting to see what people have done to keep joyriders out of their 3rd gens.

I noticed that the power wire to my distributor cap would be perfect for a kill switch when I left it unplugged and could not start it one day. So I added a little extra wire and hid a switch in the car so I could turn the distributor power wire on or off. It will let you crank the motor but it does not start it since it gets no spark. HAH, now tell me, who would want to steal a car that acts like a POS that will not start?? If anyone towed it and had the time to troubleshoot it they would eventually find it was not getting spark because there was something wrong with the wire. They would have tear the dash apart before they found where I bypassed the wire, most people would give up long before then. My setup cost $10 total, for the switch and wires. I am kind of proud of my little switch idea.

What else have you guys done to your cars?

 

My car doesn't start as it is so any mods to keep it from starting would be kinda pointless right now. But i do like your idea. I would just be worried about the amount of voltage that gaoes through your switch depending on where in the circuit you placed it. Before the voltage is stepped up it would be good but after would be a small fire hazard.LOL

L8R,
J.P.

 

yeahI was worried at first so I ran the idea by a few buddies. We decided to use the same gauge wire, a heave duty switch, and put a fuse in there just for fun. It is no different than the original wiring, with the exception of a switch and a extra fuse added in.

 

sounds alright to me.

 

If you develope any strange ignition problems you know where to look.

I have a hidden starter cutout and a big old steel cuff that goes over the column

 

I use an old classic...rust and mis-matched rims. Then I just park next to a nicer car.

 

I use the good old bat in the back seat for stopping theives

 

I have a plan for my anti theft stuff.

To start off my car is pretty customised. It has all kinds of stuff, so as for the doors, they are shaved handles and no locks on the outside. That is a start. Then I am not gonna fool with anything, no truning over motor or anything. I wanna cut all the power from the car when I get out in a questionable place. Not that I ever plan to take it to a place like that, but who knows. I battery kill hidden under the car, just like drag guys run, but hidden. Then you can't pop the doors or start the car. And if you break the glass and get in the car is 100% dead. There is nothing you can do.

I don't see a downside to this.

 

When I lived in houston in the mid 80's my car was broken into twice at my apartment. Once just to see what was in the console box, and once to unsuccessfully steal the car. They ripped the steering column up pretty bad. So I installed an aftermarket car alarm and a kill switch. the car alarm just sounded if you didn't start the car in so many seconds after opening the door. The aftermarket car alarm detered one thief at a Target parking lot later.

 

i kept the VATS starter kill.

i keep meaning to buy a alarm for her, but i never get around to it.

shes parked 90% of the time with the top down... the radio is old so it looks cheap (works awsome though) and theres nothing inside to steal.

i worry mostly about vandalism. theft is unlikely since they'd need a flatbed... and if you've ever tried to put my car on a flatbed, you know it doesnt get up there easily.

 

But why do you think they'd need a flat bed? With a manual, they can push/pull it awy pretty easily, can't they?

 

my car had no VATS

 

only if you leave the emergency brake down and don't put it into gear

 

You miust have missed the part where he said 90% of the time he parks it with the top down......

 

they'd have to bust the column for the steering lock.

but even once they did that, since it wont start, id assume they dont plan on pushing it home.

 

I found my 91's VATS system to be strict enought that it was occasionally "anti-owner" in addition to "anti-theft", so I had no worries.

 

Stage 1:
multiple kill switches and lots of flashing lights, pager, no siren
Stage 2:

 

this and a not so friendly dog named "jesus"

 

mine never gave me trouble until about 2 months ago.

now when it rains hard, it occasionally doesnt work... i donno why yet.

i do have a slick way around it, but im not going to share it with the world.. lol.

 

Two pieces of hardware:

#1


#2


Device #1 has been sufficient to this point.

 

what no one has the club?!... on my old car i had it was a 66 skylark covertable that i always had the top down on i had a switch under the dash you had to turn on befor turning the key ... i had to install it because buick had the great idea of being able to pull the key out while its running but .... and no its not just cause it was wore out buick accualy did that back in the day!... anyways one day (and tons of other days) i pulled the key out and couldnt get it back int to turn the car off so with some free time i added a switch so i could easily kill it. and as my luck goes some one tried to steal the car and tore my dash apart trying to hot wire it and only unsuccessfull because of the cheap little switch.

 

BMX,

All GMs had a removeable ignition key with the separate "Lock" position until about 1967 or so.

BTW - If you hike up 45 a few miles toward O-Town, is Wendt's still open?

 

A good old louisville slugger or an old axe handle also known as the ugly stick

 

Momentary switch on the VATS wire. Even if someone had the right keys...

 

Very clever- no need to set the switch every time when exitting the car, just push the momentary when starting. I like!