Hey folks, I'm new to TGO and loving the info and Third Gens on here!
Anyways, I was browsing the Industrial Electrical Section on Amazon, and noticed some Key Operated Switches! I was thinking, what if we mounted one of these switches before the ignition switch? It could be an extremely cheap security feature, just put the switch key in and turn on, then start the car as normal.

Would this be a good idea, or do you folks think it's not to worth trying?

 

personally I prefer a hidden toggle switch. cheaper, and the key is just one more thing to lose(and I lose keys a lot lol). a toggle switch is just as secure if its hidden well enough. and if your car has VATS I think thats more than sufficient anyway.

 

 

If you have a carb engine ,any thief with enough time can hot wire underhood direct from the batt to the coil and starter
bypassing any " security " you have upstream

 

this is true. Maybe also add a removable steering wheel to the mix?

 

I had a hidden switch on a car once. It worked fine but I forgot about it a couple of times and couldn't figure out for a while why the car wouldn't start. Now I have a car that no-one would want to steal anyway!

 

i would like to see the theif who attempts this, popping the hood, running a couple wires LOL

 

lmao I've done it myself xD

 

I was thinking a good place to put a security switch on a manual car is the Clutch safety switch.

 

There are all kinds of switches with multitudes of different places that you could put them, any of which would work fine. To each his own. IMO there are weak links to any anti-theft solution you choose so just choose whichever fits your budget and needs the best. Using two or three devices/schemes in combination is always the best approach and as always don't park in questionable areas for extended amounts of times.

 

Most of our cars have an electric fuel pump. I would disable it before I would the hot lead to the distributor. The break could be made under the carpet at the rear seat. This would take much more time to figure out and be more difficult to bypass.(no hot in reasonable proximity) Starter disable is a good idea too. My 84 SC I sold had a chapman lock, disabled the distributor and locked the hood. I have been debating putting a kill switch in my car, but it's always in the garage. When it's not, I'm driving it. Rarely gets parked anywhere and not for long.

 

Like I said " given enough time "
Have done it plenty of times myself ;10 min max

 

old school anti theft trick is to replace the coil wire with a piece of same color and size vacumn hose.of course nothing beats a good alarm.