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vehicle security

edpdx

Active member
794
75
28
Location
Oregon
After reading about recent cucv thefts- one across town from me :roll:, I was thinking I'd better switch out the ignition lock cylinder. Is there any other good security I should consider? If I have to do the doors and endgate I can do that later, I just don't wanna come back to my truck and have to walk out of the sticks one day.

Any recommendations for additional security measures?

Back in the 80's a friend gave me a book on building a shocking deterrent alarm that uses capacitors. It details the various levels you can achieve by swapping out the load of the device. It relies on a vehicle grounding strap that must make contact with the ground. You arm it. They touch it, they get shocked. Problem is if you shock someone when they are alone with your ride, you may find a brick on the front seat. You shock the too much, you might find the cops on your front porch.
 

1986Blazerk5

New member
443
1
0
Location
Brighton,MI
After reading about recent cucv thefts- one across town from me :roll:, I was thinking I'd better switch out the ignition lock cylinder. Is there any other good security I should consider? If I have to do the doors and endgate I can do that later, I just don't wanna come back to my truck and have to walk out of the sticks one day.

Any recommendations for additional security measures?

Back in the 80's a friend gave me a book on building a shocking deterrent alarm that uses capacitors. It details the various levels you can achieve by swapping out the load of the device. It relies on a vehicle grounding strap that must make contact with the ground. You arm it. They touch it, they get shocked. Problem is if you shock someone when they are alone with your ride, you may find a brick on the front seat. You shock the too much, you might find the cops on your front porch.
You could install a alarm system that has a tilt sensor in it that goes if it is hit, they also have add on that can detect if glass is broken. But the lock cylinder should be enough
 

91W350

Well-known member
4,414
57
48
Location
Salina, Kansas
I swapped the ignition lock out in my M1008. I was going to do the M1009s as well, but could not find matching ignition locks. It is kind of nice to only need two keys for three trucks. Glen
 

linx310

New member
478
0
0
Location
texas
I was going to wire in a magnetic switch behind an empty spot on the metal part of the front dash.

I place a magnet over it and it allows the signal from the ignition switch through.

When you are finished driving just move the magnet away from the location you installed it.

I have seen this done on a military jeep since it did not have a key and its pretty ingenious way to hide a kill switch.

Of course if a thief really wants it they will get it.
 

1986Blazerk5

New member
443
1
0
Location
Brighton,MI
I was going to wire in a magnetic switch behind an empty spot on the metal part of the front dash.

I place a magnet over it and it allows the signal from the ignition switch through.

When you are finished driving just move the magnet away from the location you installed it.

I have seen this done on a military jeep since it did not have a key and its pretty ingenious way to hide a kill switch.

Of course if a thief really wants it they will get it.
That's cleaver!!!!!! They also make a switch with a removable key

Dorman 85988 - Battery Isolator Switch | O'Reilly Auto Parts
 

xenocath

searching.............
193
4
18
Location
Glen allen, VA
easy, convert to manual glowplug button and hide it. these trucks hate to start with a glow much less without it. took my truck in for service on the tires and even explained the system to the mechanic and i still had to go start my truck for them after it cooled off.
 

1986Blazerk5

New member
443
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Location
Brighton,MI
easy, convert to manual glowplug button and hide it. these trucks hate to start with a glow much less without it. took my truck in for service on the tires and even explained the system to the mechanic and i still had to go start my truck for them after it cooled off.
Thats true most people dont know that you cant just hop in a diesel and expect it to start with giving the glow plugs time to warm up. They will just hop in turn the key to start and it wont they after a few seconds just give up and run away
 

319

Lieutenant
Steel Soldiers Supporter
3,350
58
48
Location
Michigan
Bottom line is that if someone really wants your truck, they will get it. The only way to prevent theft is to sleep with it beneath your pillow (a little strange though).
Have it fully insured, replace your ignition and door locks and install an alarm or cut-off switch. Oh, and do not leave your keys in it!
Also, i'd take a wild guess that installing devices that may cause harm to individuals attempting to steal your vehicle is illegal.
 

davidkroberts

Active member
1,453
23
38
Location
west tennessee
you could wire in a hidden toggle switch into the starter relay wiring. just mount it somewhere and flip it when you get out. I would mount it in the ashtray or in the dash with a Foglight switch label under it
 

firefox

General
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,845
51
48
Location
Berkeley CA
Remove the starter circuit relay from under the dash.
Remove the cover.
Drill a hole in the top of the cover.
Install a small toggle switch.I believe you can use a momentary contact push button, this way you need to push the button when you try to crank it. once it starts I believe this relay is de energized. The advantage of this is that once you start you release the button and you have automatically reset your security system.
Cut the link that goes to the coil and wire up both sides to the terminals on the toggle switch.

Note: I haven't done this yet, so you need to examine the relay can to see how you can
mount the switch on it and determine the actual size of the switch to fit in there.
Also check inside the relay to see where you can cut the lead to the coil.

What I did was to take the relay, remove the guts and attach wires to the pins inside the relay,
then route the wires out the top of the shell through a gromet to another relay
mounted to the same metal base about 6 inches to the right . I then mounted the same kind of relay
that is used on the firewall for the glow plugs.
The reason I did this is because the little starter relay is a POS which is now made you know where,
and fails frequently. Sometimes with disastrous results. Do a search. I know someone did a writeup on some realy bad things
happening to their starting system.
Bruce
 
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Milbikes

New member
260
0
0
Location
CT
A simple toggle switch under the dash that prevents the truck from being started should do the trick for most crackheads and bad guys. Just don't tell anyone it is there. If you wanted to really confuse them, make a box with three toggle switches in a row, and wire them so they have to be in the correct order to complete the circuit. Test it to be sure it works, then fill the box with epoxy or other glue.
 

2deuce

Well-known member
1,479
147
63
Location
portland, oregon
I personally don't think that our cucv's are a theft target as such and the one that was stolen in Oregon was a convenience theft where the keys were left in it. In the summer I take the top off, I don't worry about it much and besides a camo cucv stands out, something a thief doesn't like. I had a lock cylinder go bad and I put the same cyl back in cause I like using the same key. Could be a good time to knock on some wood, but I think your safer or as safe as the next car on the block. It was mentioned above that if someone really wants it, the key won't stop them, and the same goes for glass. Its good to get new security ideas for those times when you leave your truck overnight in a public place, like a trailhead. My truck has a pin through the hood that I can put a padlock. That locked and the pink wire pulled gives some security, but I would leave the doors unlocked to keep my glass intact.
 

donttreadonmebmg

New member
184
1
0
Location
Ashtabula Ohio
I've seen lots of cars while working at the ford dealership that had to have the high beam signal switch pulled back for high beams while the ignition key is turned to get it to start. maybe you can do something like that to your cucv.
 

davidkroberts

Active member
1,453
23
38
Location
west tennessee
that would be a very simple mod. The high beam switch would make a good switch for the ignition system. Im not sure how the ignition switch s wired but that does seem a very easy fix for a common problem
 

SGT Estum

New member
274
0
0
Location
Twin Cities, MN
I still use the Army method. Chain and padlock the steering wheel.
I like to do the same.

However, as my "friends" like to point out, a hacksaw and two cuts to the steering wheel would get around that solution mighty quick.

Those same "friends" then suggested I run a log chain from the rear bumper to a tree or lamp post and get some long U padlocks. Real wise guys.


Maybe I need new friends.
 

Hal O'Peridol

Member
121
4
18
Location
Blaine, WA
I like to do the same.

However, as my "friends" like to point out, a hacksaw and two cuts to the steering wheel would get around that solution mighty quick.

Those same "friends" then suggested I run a log chain from the rear bumper to a tree or lamp post and get some long U padlocks. Real wise guys.


Maybe I need new friends.
Like has been said, NOTHING will deter anyone (especially professionals) from stealing your vehicle, you can only make it more difficult.

BTW, yes, you need new friends. One of these days the cops will start asking YOU questions. It's called being a known associate.
 
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