Robbery / Theft prevention WTF?

frustrated · November 19, 2003

It has become quite clear to me over the past 2 months that it is extremely easy to break into 95 Chevy trucks/tahoe. Without getting too specific, mine has been broken into twice in the past 2 months with the exact same method. Through the passenger door handle. And I started looking at other trucks of the same model I pass on the roads, and was quite suprised how frequently I saw door handles that have been broken in the same manner. Ther has to be some way to prevent this. The only thing i can think of is installing something inside the door that blocks access to the locking mechanism.

Anyone have this experiene or have suggestions?

PLEASE HELP!

MCourson · November 19, 2003

I have never tried them but it is worth a try.

Jimmi' Jammer

frustrated · November 19, 2003

Looks like someone took a picture of my door and posted it on that site. Thanks for the link.

Anyone have a possitve endorsement of this product?

Other suggestions welcome as well.

LogixRat · November 19, 2003

The only thing I might add is that IMHO you can't really deter the professional thief with alarms or products like these. Sure they may help deter vandals and such, but if a true pro is gonna try to boost your vehicle....there is a 99.9% they will succeed. Sorta like computer hackers....they work 24/7 finding a workaround to be "above" the rest and to take what they want.

Based on the fact your truck was broken into twice, and you still have ownership I suspect you have more of a vandal problem then anything so something like the Jammer deal might work for you. Of course, if you are risking everything for stealing spare change and CD's, why not just break the glass and take what you want? I never understood why people would steal for so little and face such big consequences. Not that I am a thief, but if I were to steal I'd make dang sure it was BIG so it would be worth the sacrifice if I got caught. I'm not to fond of being anal raped in prison by some whacked out dude.

Boogs · November 19, 2003

I used to manage and work as the head tech and security specialist at a car audio shop some years back and I used to see all kinds of break in techniques on a variety of vehicles. The best thing that you can do aside from any passive theft deterrent is to bite the bullet and have a quality security system installed in your vehicle that has a dual zone impact sensor.

Once those clowns see that flashing LED and hear the truck chirp at them a couple times they will move onto another vehicle that doesn't have a security system90% contrary to popular belief. Theives are banking on the thinking that "alarms don't work" it's not true as I've installed more than I can count. That is the sole purpose of a security system. If you get an alarm system make sure that the installer doesn't install it under the dash above the fuse panel where access is easy. I used to hide the main unit far under the dash ( I won't divulge where I put them) Also make sure that the main power connections aren't made at the battery under the hood and have the siren mounted somewhere hard to get at.

I hope this helps. Having an security system will deter the bastards from F-ing with the door too.

Also, the chances of a theif defeating the GM PassLock system that is used on the new generation vehicles is slim to none as the ECU is looking for a particular resistance that is generated by a hall sensor when the key is inserted. No key, no start and it disables the vehicle for 15 minutes even if the key is used. I know this from installing remote starters in GMs MAJOR pain in the rear.

99silveradoz71 · November 19, 2003

NoLimits hit it dead on. As I tell people when taking reports, if they want it bad enough, they'll find a way. Also, the theives that are making a living out of it, are practicing their craft just as hard as I'm working to prevent theft. Often the best you can do is common sense, lock the doors, go with whatever visual deterrent you can get. It amazes me when we get theft from auto reports and these people seem to have no problem leaving their doors unlocked overnight when the car is in the driveway...I usually tell them that our town isn't Bay Village(ridiculously quiet city, but the site of the Sam Sheppard murder controversy for you trivia buffs)...we're actually the most densely populated city between New York and Chicago...60,000 in 5.5-6 sq miles.

gmcjoe · November 19, 2003

Looks like someone took a picture of my door and posted it on that site. Thanks for the link.

Anyone have a possitve endorsement of this product?

Other suggestions welcome as well.

Hello.

I own/operate http://www.trucktechniques.com -selling the Jimmi Jammer products.

I do agree, if someone wants in a specific vehicle, they will find a way in. Using products like these and alarms are good deterrents to the thief who wants a quick way in.

Let me know if I can answer any questions.

Thanks,

Joe Lopez

[email protected]

LogixRat · November 19, 2003

Hmmm....aftermarket alarms and the shops that install them. I had one installed once when I owned my Vette. The thing I noticed is that it's like a production mill when installing an alarm, and these installers seem to know every trick of the trade.

In the back of my mind, I kept thinking if I was going to boost a car I'd probably work at an alarm shop for awhile to get "schooled". I wonder how many shops actually run background checks and whatnot on their employees to see if they are truly trustworthy. I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but from a realistic standpoint I'm sure it happens more than any of us would like to admit.

Anyhow, since then I figured I'd just run with stock stuff and use common sense. And sometimes it don't hurt to take on the mentality of a Jeep owner. If you don't have stuff in your vehicle that attracts people, then it makes it way less attractive for them to want to mess with your vehicle. Or at least be STEALTH with custom installs and goodies. How I cringe when I see a nice car flaunting their LCD's or big stereos. It just makes them the next mark for some thief.

2k3TahoeZ · November 19, 2003

It's funny that you mentioned Jeeps. We went on a little vacation and had to leave our Wrangler out at our apartment complex. The top and windows were up in case of rain, but the doors were unlocked and it was completely empty except for the registration, insurance cards, and the owners manual. We got back home and the window was slashed open, the center console and glove box were jimmied open, even though they were both unlocked. I lost nothing, but found a few hundred dollars worth of bills for new parts.

The lesson learned - people suck.

Boogs · November 20, 2003

Background checks on installers are useless as anyone can decide to do something illegal. You'd be suprised how much you know about people when you run a car audio shop. You know the shady types because they actually come in the store to check out equipment or see whats going on with installs because they want to either break in or steal the car or break into the car.

Having a stealth install is great and keeping quick grab items out of sight will reduce the chances of a break in as thieves are opportunists. Professional thieves won't waste time breaking in to steal CDs, a head unit etc, they'll steal the whole vehicle and part it out at their leisure at a remote location.

If you want a custom install on your security system you have to tell the shop or they'll just install it like all the other systems. The reason for this is that 90% of the customers find it hard to part with $200 for a basic system to protect their $40,000 vehicle. Bottom line- people are cheap.. I installed a Clifford system with anti carjacking, back up battery, self-powered siren and internal siren for the owner of a then new Acura Integra Type-R. He left the vehicle unattened at his office in Boston for 1-2 weeks at a time while he flew to Toronto for business.

I literally took the car apart to install this system and intergrated much of the wiring so that it looked stock. The customer was willing to pay for this service and it was worth it.

It ends up that thieves tried to steal the car not once but twice and got nowhere. They cut the siren wires under the hood and disconnected the battery but the alarm kept the vehicle immobilized. He ended up driving the car from Boston to Toronto where my shop was and had me fix the wiring damage and thanked me for reccomending and installing the system.

Yes it cost him about $300 more than normal but he still owns the car. I'm not saying that you have to go to this extreme to protect your vehicle but paying a qualified installer and not some goof at Best Buy to install your security system will go a long way in the end.