Car theft

[terry_208]

I agree with the comments:  If they want it, they will get it.  Most of the precautions taken only slow down the drive off thefts and not haul off thefts.  I like the idea of a locator beacon.  In my opinion, all the deterants are there to encourage thefts to take an easier target.

[jdwilker]

I'm thinking that using multiple anti-theft techniques has the best chance of deterring or at least slowing down a thief. A visual deterrent like a steering wheel lock, an ignition kill switch and pulling the rotor and coil wire. I like the idea of putting a baby monitor in the car although if at a motel, I wonder how much sleep I'd get. I was also thinking about running the neutral safety switch through a hidden kill switch. Yes, you could just jump the starter solenoid, but it it's going to take more time to figure out.

[John Palmer]

In my past life, I worked as a service manager in a large volume motorcycle dealership.  Five major brands, and up to 3000 units sold each year.  Lo-Jack was one of the many accessories we sold with the new vehicles.  My job as a "licensed installer" was to hide the Lo-Jack system on a motorcycle.

My take is they are not that great.  At the time they had a $700 installed price.  They work on a FM radio signal.  That's great if you are in a large city, but the FM radio coverage fails quickly as you get out of town.  Lo-Jack would not let us sell/install their system on any ATV, UTV, Side by Side, or Dirt Bike as these vehicles are used most of the time in areas that would not have the radio system coverage.  Any Police car you see that has the three antennas on the trunk lid has a Lo-Jack tracking system.

I think with the progress in technology today you should lean toward a GPS based system, maybe just a old phone wired to a auxiliary battery?

I hate thieves.

[mustang6984]

Lo-Jack has changed a lot probably since then...sure is worth checking out.

[RICH MUISE]

Anybody know the cost and details about the LoJack system? Monthly fee?

[CobraJoe]

https://lojack.com/products/stolen-vehicle-recovery-cars-trucks-suvs/

The cost of a LoJack for a collectible or classic car is anywhere between $700 and $725

[fdlrc]

Regarding LoJack: I checked into this a couple years ago. LoJack had gone out of business. I talked to a guy in Arizona that was part of a group trying to bring it back. He stated that in my area; Colorado front range, there aren't many police departments that take part in this program any longer. I don't know where it stands today. So maybe they have it sorted out by now. I'd be interested to see if the Colorado Springs PD is now part of the system?? Without PD participation, not much valve.

Had a friend that just had his Honda Pilot stolen. Investigator stated that other than disabling ignition system, a physical deterrence is best; like an old fashion steering wheel "The Club".

Colorado Springs has a vehicle (ALPR) that has many-many high-tech cameras and computer aboard that its only job is to drive around and scan vehicles. The laptop screen is populated by every car that is scanned; either parked or moving. If a plate is flagged by the data-base, it shows up on the screen for the officer to take action. This isn't just for stolen vehicles but for outstanding warrants and the like.

[RICH MUISE]

Good info, Les. Good to hear from you. We're going to get in touch one of these days!!

[mustang6984]

Les...Phoenix P.D. has that system as well. So does Branson MO P.D. I noticed strangely enough today.

Was not aware that Lo-Jack had gone out of business...that sucks. My buddy at Phoenix P.D. recovered a lot of stolen cars through that program.

[fdlrc]

You bet Rich.

[Ford Blue blood]

Read an article a couple of years ago about placing a cell phone that has "tracking" capabilities.  Wire it to the 12V system and hide it in the car.  With it turned on you can track where the vehicle is.  No idea if that is a viable alternative but it seams like it might work.

[fdlrc]

Along that line, they have apps that you can set up on a phone to track your teenager or, ahem, spouse.

[RICH MUISE]

My son, in Florida, and I have used it for a few years now. Before I call, I usually check to see where he's at so I don't bother him if he's out or working. I thought about hooking up a hidden cell phone in the '57 a few years back, but monthly charges were so high I didn't. My wife just told me our cell phone bills use to be 70 or 80 a month per phone, but now we're on a program for the past year or so that our 3 phones are only 60ish a month total for 3 phones. Maybe it's time to wire in a hidden power supply socket! BTW, I just showed my wife how she can track me.............and now that I'm old, it's ok!

[Ford Blue blood]

BTW, I just showed my wife how she can track me.............and now that I'm old, it's ok!

Shouldn't that be "young and bullet proof"?

[Lou]

I think you guys are looking at this from the wrong prospective. It is true, if they want it, they will get it. Years ago I lost 2 cars (41 Ford couple & 55 crown vic) from a locked garage. The thieves backed two recovery trucks into my driveway, waved to my neighbors loaded the cars, closed the garage door and left. It was winter, so it was a week after I got back from vacation before I went to the garage and saw the lock broken.
A state cop gave me the best advice, Set the car up to give them trouble shortly after it is stolen. My best friend bore this out, he had a hidden fuel shut off on his 51 Ford conv. One night the police woke him up to tell him his car was sitting in the middle of the road a 1/4 mile from his house.