Security and anti-theft systems ,Part II

[ganderson]

Hey John and Evan


Been there done both...The criminal mind looks for easy targets ie Clutch Lock at O'dark hundred is not an easy target..

With the "clutch lock"I would bet dollars to doughnuts that my car will be out front in the morning .......


Anyone can figure out anything eventually......Theives aren't trying to take the time to figure out anything....

[datsunfreak]

Been there done both...The criminal mind looks for easy targets ie Clutch Lock at O'dark hundred is not an easy target..

Certainly a valid point. For some reason I always assume only a Datsun enthusiast would steal a Datsun... but that's probably false logic...

[dbrick]

Kind of long winded, again.

Hey, how bout a simple one. They sell a valve you put in the brake lines which will hold the brakes, either on or off, when you close it. Would be fun to put on the clutch hydraulic line, but may not be too good for the clutch springs. Just push the clutch in, lock the valve. One on the rear brake line would work too. You would have to hide them or have a very secure cover.

Linda, are they stealing them for fun or to chop for parts? Different methods would work better depending on why and how they are taking the car What was the condition of what you got back, if you got it back?
Also, is it local thieves, or are they coming to your neighborhood to steal cars? Are they stealing them at your home or when you are out somewhere with the car?

I was thinking, If you secured the hood and put in a battery master switch with a removable key and the battery cables somewhere very in-accessable, it would be hard to start up and drive away, same with a creative starter/ ignition kill switch like the one we discussed. You would still have to repair the column and other damage from the attempt, but if it's local thieves, they will probably not try too many times. All would depend on the hood release also being well concealed or securly covered.
With a long enough cable, you could even put the hood release in the trunk or behind the seat. my battery switch is in the glove compartment, but could be jumped from behind. Then again, my key's in the ignition in the garage right now And I do security for a living.



A Hella battery switch would fit in the trans tunnel under the ashtray or on the side by the front edge of the seat. You could have it come up into the cigarette lighter hole if you want a challenge. It would be a bit of work to securely mount the battery cables, but would be very difficult to defeat. Just turn off and take the key.
If you want to be creative, you could put the switch on the negative cable, that would be a tough one to figure out and defeat.
Pros will just tow it.

If you want to trya kill switch setup, let me know, I'll wire it up for you, you just put it in.

[datsunfreak]

I was thinking, If you secured the hood and put in a battery master switch with a removable key and the battery cables somewhere very in-accessable, it would be hard to start up and drive away... my battery switch is in the glove compartment, but could be jumped from behind...

On my M3, I installed the kill switch on the cowl (racing rules required it), so the cables were well hidden behind the dash. A master kill would be an excellent theft deterrent. That, and the removeable steering wheel I had on that car (and all cars since), would work well.

And like you said, nothing stops the tow truck.

[dbrick]

I always assume only a Datsun enthusiast would steal a Datsun... but that's probably false logic...

Unless they are looking for an engine swap....Better not park a TR8 or a Rover 3500 with 5 speed too close to my house. Midnight Auto Parts will be open for business.

[Import_sounds-of-mid-GA]

our race car with a $15g motor doesnt have a key.... so we cant lock it.... so it is VERY stealable..... good thing its loud! (but we do block it in with another car) I guess its a good thing our new race car has shaved door handles!

[Linda]

The two times my other Datsun Roadster was stolen it was beer-drinking joy-riders. They ride around til they are out of gas. That was a different neighborhood but still enough to interest me in the subject of theft prevention.
Some really great theft prevention ideas here. I thought the windsheild wiper replacement for the choke knob and the hood release fix would be easy.
I guess you could put the hood release loop in the wheel well and take the hood knob off or immobilize it. All good ideas. Tow trucks are kind of noisy so that's not a concern.
I don't like the idea of a regular alarm because they cut wires.

Somebody tried to steal my car cover the other night but I had a cable and lock on it..... I'm going to spray on the address next.
Linda
68 1600

[Linda]

A Hella battery switch would fit in the trans tunnel under the ashtray or on the side by the front edge of the seat. You could have it come up into the cigarette lighter hole if you want a challenge. It would be a bit of work to securely mount the battery cables, but would be very difficult to defeat. Just turn off and take the key.

Dave,
I saw a battery cut-off in Walmart of all places. it looked kind of large. As I remember the neg battery cable attaches to it and then another cable out the other side with a kind of key gizmo in between. Is that the kind of battery cut-off you are talking about? It seems pretty easy to install if so.
Linda
68 1600

[datsunfreak]

I saw a battery cut-off in Walmart of all places. it looked kind of large. As I remember the neg battery cable attaches to it and then another cable out the other side with a kind of key gizmo in between. Is that the kind of battery cut-off you are talking about?

Yes, that should be it. Not sure I'd trust one I got from Wal-Mart, though.

Just as easy to order a good one from Summit or some place like that...

[dbrick]

I'm with John on that one. Stick with a name brand. Boat/marine stores are another good source. Hella, and Moroso are two good brands. Also, it interupts the positive side, so you must route wires carefully.

[datsunfreak]

Another trick I've used before, if you have a digital radio or clock...

Go to Radio Shack and get a 9-volt battery plug/terminal with wiring, wire it into your power and ground leads of the radio, and arrange it so you can tuck it up under the dash. Then before you remove the "key" for the master kill, plug in a 9-volt battery. It will keep the station presets for at least a week but won't produce enough juice to run anything else (like the starter )...

[spl310]

Station presets need power? I thought you just pulled out the black button, tuned the radio to the station and pushed it all the way in to set it.

[datsunfreak]

That's funny...



And a Happy Festivus to you!

[spl310]

John,

That is how the radio presets work on both of my Roadsters...

[datsunfreak]

That is how the radio presets work on both of my Roadsters...

I know...

Just figured someone out there may have a newer radio in their car... Also works to keep the stock clock in time, but not worth the trouble just for that.