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As this topic is important to most of us who want to protect our investments what are some good ideas to have hidden security systems on 3rd gens? What are some things you guys have done like a kill switch have you installed alarms what about hidden cameras in the dash cameras around your garage any tracker devices you installed window tint I’m curious on how I wanna protect my car in various ways what are some things you guys done let’s talk on safety
On my '88 TPI, I simply disconnect the power lead to the ECM, it's over near the battery. Hard to find, and the car absolutely won't start.
Also, I have one of the Grant removable steering wheel kits. Put in the key, and pull the steering wheel in about 10 seconds.
I had a idea of a kill switch to the fuel pump I just don’t know where I would put it I don’t want it to be too obvious like under the dash that’s too easy for a thief I want something that’s easy to reach but hard for others to think of
I considered a magnetic reed switch, hidden in the console. Use a small magnet to activate the switch, then stick the magnet in your pocket when leaving the car.
Here’s a couple of pictures of the steering wheel..
If someone really wants your car for more than a joyride, they're just going to load it up and haul it away. Any thief motivated enough not to be deterred by VATS...
Back in 2004-2006 I used to hide a GPS tracking device in the car during college when I lived in the South side of Bethlehem PA and the car was out on the street all night. it was called a GPS Snitch. I think it is now obsolete. It had the ability to sense it (which was inside the car) moved at all. I could login online or have it text alerts to my phone. the only problem was that the battery only lasted 6-7 days. i thought of maybe doin the same thing with an old unused iphone4 that i have... just hiding it away in the car if i ever have to leave the car not at my house one day. just as a tracking device...
When the original owner bought the car in 1987 she had a kill switch installed at the dealership that when activated cut electrical signal to the distributor. I also used that on occasion but it needed a special key, the kind that you unlock vending machines with. it also had a pin/rod that would lock down the hood so nobody could open the hood. it was slick!
Last edited by IROCZman15; 05-02-2019 at 08:21 PM.
I've seen a car that hospitalized/killed half a dozen teenage girls and didn't have a single wheel still attached be winched up on a flat bed... So I'm going to go with "HA HA HA" and say that jackstands are no match for a PTO powered cable winch and a flat bed. Winched a thirdgen Firebird with no front crossmember and no rear end up on that same flat bed, the jack stands were a little beat up in the process, but I assure you we crushed that car no problem Bob.
As this topic is important to most of us who want to protect our investments what are some good ideas to have hidden security systems on 3rd gens? What are some things you guys have done like a kill switch have you installed alarms what about hidden cameras in the dash cameras around your garage any tracker devices you installed window tint I’m curious on how I wanna protect my car in various ways what are some things you guys done let’s talk on safety
Best security system - don't blab to others about what is in your car. Keep your mouth shut!
#2 Standard shift transmission - the younger generations of car thieves have no idea how to use them.
Last edited by NoEmissions84TA; 05-03-2019 at 01:10 AM.
See, the way I figure, there are two kinds of car thieves; Joy-riders and professionals. The professionals will get your car no matter what, so you have to make sure it is located where a rollback can't be backed up near it, and make sure it is in a safe place or where you can keep an eye on it.
Joy riders, however consist of chuck and Eduardo. Had a little to drink, not enough crumpled ones left to hit the strip club, so they decide to bust the window on that sweet GTA over there and go for a little joy ride, leaving it wrapped around a tree when they've had their fun. To deter these guys, you need kill switches, alarms, and whatever else will slow them down and make sure they can't start the car. Eventually, they will lose interest. They may break stuff when they get pissed off that they can't figure out why the car won't start, but you still have your car.
With that paranoid rant out of the way, here are some ideas of mine:
A dimmer switch under the carpet as a kill switch. unless you know where to push, no start.
Hide a kill switch in a bolt or screw. Epoxy a screw head to a push button switch and put it in the dash some place where a screw is. As long as you know which screw is actually a button, you can start the car.
A switch that makes the horn go full blast when the car is started. Unless the thief knows to turn it off, they will draw a lot of attention.
Hidden battery disconnect switch
Cigarette lighter as the kill switch.
VATS will stop the joyriders. Yeah, it can be bypassed, but not quickly. Seems most stolen cars are left with the keys in them. Take your keys with you, don't leave your stuff idling and run back inside because you forgot your purse, you've already drastically improved your odds. Park in a garage, dont leave tempting items laying in the open, skip the steal me stickers telling everyone what you've got to take, roll up your windows and lock the doors, park in visible, well lit places... Drive a beater and leave the nice car safe in the garage.
I have an aftermarket alarm. Nothing special except I put it in a spot that isn't accessible and it still sort of works like the VATS. It COULD be bypassed, but it would take far too long to figure out. I am only worried about someone with a tow truck, no stopping that if the car is outside.
The dealership I work at uses enfo trace GPS devices for repo purposes. I actually repo every once in a while and have the app on my phone. They are able to be wired up in conjunction with the ignition switch to where I can hit a button and disable the starter. My son's z71 and the GTA has one. My son doesn't know about them. I can track how fast he's going. I have been considering the toggle switch hidden under the driver seat.
[QUOTE=NoEmissions84TA;6299724]NOT COOL. Maybe your son has an app that alerts him as to when you are spying on him??? What's next - a hidden camera?
Bad Dad! [/QUOTE Not Bad Dad when he's the one paying the note and insurance! Our work trucks have GPS and alerts the main office at high speeds. Keeps people honest IMO.
NOT COOL. Maybe your son has an app that alerts him as to when you are spying on him??? What's next - a hidden camera?
Bad Dad! [/QUOTE Not Bad Dad when he's the one paying the note and insurance! Our work trucks have GPS and alerts the main office at high speeds. Keeps people honest IMO.
But he said "my Son's z71" - not my z71 that I let my son use. Big difference.
A simple switch on the distributor battery line. It can be hidden anywhere, or even a keyed switch. Take a look at the micro switches. I've seen people use two or three switches in-line. They need the correct combination to allow current to the distributor. A bank of switches is inconspicuous.
There are keyed battery disconnects. Put a boot on it.
NOT COOL. Maybe your son has an app that alerts him as to when you are spying on him??? What's next - a hidden camera? Bad Dad!
I agree with NoEmissions84TA , if you need electronic countermeasures against your own children , you've lost the battle WAY before the kid's butt ever landed in the driver's seat of your car !
I raised a Son , and because of how I raised him there are no barriers between our communication whatsoever . From day one I treated him as an equal human that I was entrusted to mentor , and not as a subservient possession . I was his spiritual and moral guidance when needed and he turned out just fine . Oh , and yes I do let him drive my cars and unlike his crazy old man he is no motorhead whatsoever and doesn't get kicks outta flooring cars to see how fast they can go
Well I've raised 3 boys. Kept em busy working and kept them in Church. They have been a lot better than I was and haven't made much trouble at all. Just because this man uses a GPS to keep tabs isn't a bad idea and doesn't make him a "bad dad".
Well the z71 at the moment is in my name and insured by me. My boy has been raised up just fine, but at the end of the day he is my son with my blood in his veins. Straight A Junior already got college credits and one year of high school left. As his father and also his Youth Minister at Church, I know all to well no matter how good we raise them temptation can take over and a little showing off happens. Has he done it yet? No he hasn't. But if he does I will know about it and more than likely he will tell me before a GPS does. The GPS main duty is for theft reasons but it also has a nice feature of showing the speed. If that makes me a bad dad in your eyes well so be it. If you want to start a father of the month I will nominate you bud as it sounds as if ya got it all figured out.
Well I've raised 3 boys. Kept em busy working and kept them in Church. They have been a lot better than I was and haven't made much trouble at all. Just because this man uses a GPS to keep tabs isn't a bad idea and doesn't make him a "bad dad".
+1 for a quick release wheel and stick shift. I modified my original GTA wheel with an adapter plate to use one. Even made a build thread with the design docs:
05-02-2019, 03:33 PM
[/QUOTE Not Bad Dad when he's the one paying the note and insurance! Our work trucks have GPS and alerts the main office at high speeds. Keeps people honest IMO. 
