Installing Kill Switch

EspoMan · October 16, 2016

Hello guys. Just recently purchased a 2016 Silverado LT with the 5.3 V8. I will be staying with my sister for a while and she lives in a very shady area of town. I want to install a Kill Switch on my truck but with all the modern technologies in these trucks, I don't want to mess anything up. What do you guys recommend for installing a kill switch on my truck?

Donstar · October 16, 2016

I believe Onstar protection may be a good solution. They can track and turn off your truck remotely if stolen.

EspoMan · October 16, 2016

I believe Onstar protection may be a good solution. They can track and turn off your truck remotely if stolen.

Yeah I do have OnStar but I want to stop it from being stolen in the first place.

muddkatt · October 16, 2016

You have a much greater chance of someone stealing the rims and tires or the tailgate than taking the whole truck.

I don't imagine that many people will give up their methods of installing a kill switch on an open forum, but I might be wrong. I would suggest asking your dealer or a good mechanic in your area.

Mike1220 · October 16, 2016

+1 on Muddkatt's comment. Rims, tires, and tailgates now a days are a lot easier to steal and resell than an entire vehicle that then has to be stripped down. I'd invest in some good locking lugs, or maybe even get 2 sets so you have 2 different special lugs per rim, and a lock for the tailgate so it can't be removed. Not just the OEM lock that prevents it from being opened but a lock that goes on the passenger side hinge that will keep it from being able to be removed.

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Silvern Sentry · October 16, 2016

seems like it should be called an overkill switch these days. From what I understand most high end or newer car thefts they just roll up with a truck or flatbed and tow you away.

Now a days a driver can hook you up and bolt without even needing to get out in like 1 min or less.

This of course does not count for thugs and holigans but they are more likly to steel your stock rims lol or just smash the window to go through console etc for loose cash. Most common criminals or thugs will not the have kind of equipment to steal a late model gm. If they do have the equipment it won't matter if they really want it they will just tow it.

EspoMan · October 17, 2016

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll look into securing the wheels and and tailgate.

chancyrudd · October 17, 2016

These trucks come factory with an immobilizer. If they tried to "hot wire" it it would not run. Also they use a resistance based start sequence on the second starter and second accessory wire which a common thief would not be able to replicate.

Bottom line is as others said most newer vehicles will be taken using a tow away method so an aftermarket 2 way alarm system with digital tilt would be the best method of protection as long as you are in range or if you have added dronemobile or smartstart to it you would receive a notification on your smartphone.

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EspoMan · October 17, 2016

Ordered the lug nuts. Just looking for a good tailgate lock.

bndawgs · October 17, 2016

you could always hook up a kill switch for the fuel pump.

Reginald55 · February 13, 2020

Here in Texas onstar have been disable before truck leave yard.

jscottl · February 13, 2020

24 minutes ago, Reginald55 said:

Here in Texas onstar have been disable before truck leave yard.

I was going to say they need to look at what's going on down there with these trucks.

Jon9116 · February 19, 2020

They're swapping pcms out in under 3 mins they're gone. A kill switch isn't a bad idea..

davester · February 20, 2020

Yeah, a kill switch, or you put a bracket or something like that around the ecm that would take tools to remove (that they wouldn't have, because it's mostly just plastic clips keeping it in place normally).