Wrangler paranoia

[macinyart]

OK, then I have this fairly nice YJ with some mods. I am getting a bit paranoid about the possibility of theft after reading of some of the stolen Jeeps on this thread. I read about the $6 cell phone thing and I am not sure this will do it for me. I am looking into some gps solutions. Does anyone have any comments or, better yet experience, with the gps solutions to theft recovery. I do use a device on the Jeep that locks out the clutch mechanism, but doesn't prevent some jerk from loading it up on a flatbed. So I guess I am looking at something that will call me on my cell phone at least if the Jeep is moved when I am not around. If there is anyone out there who has experience with this sort of thing, I would be grateful to read what you have to say. Here are a couple of links to some of the vendors:

http://etailelectronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=03508

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/slimtrak-realtime-gps-tracking-car-locator.html

http://sports-imports.stores.yahoo.net/gpsvetrde.html

I had a meaningful talk with Larry at LoJack and found that they have coverage of 26 states. They do not cover WI, NE, MN, MO, IA, NM and others between Wisconsin and Arizona. His suggestion was that perhaps I would be better served with a gps system. I applaud his candor.

With the knowledge that we are only about four hours from Mexico, the land of stolen four wheel drive vehicles, I am wondering if you have any thoughts about theft deterrence and then recovery. Thanks.

[Tom Schenk]

Mine doesn't use gps or telephone trickery but it will work if/when I need it to. I have a self-arming cutoff that disables the ECU circut. The jeep will crank til the batterys dead but will never start. All of that cranking is bound to draw some attention, or the perp will assume its a POS and move on. The cutoff is automatically armed when I turn off the ignition. :)

[Markos]

Jack:

I understand your concern. FYI I sent you a PM. It sounds to me that a kill switch isn't something that will fit the bill in your case. I'd be glad to help you out with a kill switch install if you want to go that route down the road.


If I was on a long vacation, I might consider removing the wheels, placing the jeep on jack-stands. This would prevent flat spots in the tires, and make the flat bed option less convenient, longer, louder, etc.

[rgenest]

http://www.ravelco.com/
I installed this last year, pull the plug and its a no go!

[Wind_Danzer]

http://www.ravelco.com/
I installed this last year, pull the plug and its a no go!

Cost??

And you installed it or had it installed?

[Gen. Nonsense]

Cost??

And you installed it or had it installed?http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/images/smilies/shaking.gif
Find out yourself...
Ravelco Arizona

Tony Johnson

e-mail: pulltheplug@ravelcoaz.com
web: www.ravelcoaz.com

13232 N. 109th St.
Sun City, AZ 85351
623 846-6631
623 846-6633 FAX

Toll Free AZ only
877 846-6631

[Wind_Danzer]

Thanks Gen. :rolleyes:

Been there already and nothing listed and being it is 9pm or so, I figured I'd ask here instead of writing an e-mail that may not be answered or a phone call not returned.

Dumbarse...
http://smilies.vidahost.com/otn/mfinger/2up.gif

[rgenest]

Cost was $500 installed by dealer at any location including home/ work includes 2 plugs. No plug no start, move on to an easier target.
Hope thant helps.

[macinyart]

This thread was originally intended for information collection and a request for help and advice from members of the group. For Gen. Nonsense and Wind_Danzer I would like to say that sometimes it is difficult to see the grins behind the words you post. I assume the grins were there since otherwise the posts were somewhat malicious (and could be kept private even if you are very good friends) in my humble opinion. They did not come off as funny or amusing. Just because someone posts a malicious appearing post doesn't mean a response is needed. That said as far as the Ravelco device is concerned, a friend had one of these installed in his TJ. He had enough trouble with it that he had it removed. The trouble was that even with the plug in place, the TJ wouldn't start. I will continue to watch for helpful information in this thread. Thanks.:)

[Markos]

Hey way to ruin a good thread...


FYI, here is the post about the $6 LoJack alternative...

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13425

[paparonbo]

http://www.ravelco.com/
I installed this last year, pull the plug and its a no go!
Two of my buddies at work had this installed on their big diesel pickups. The install was OK, but it wasn't quite as clean of a setup as it could have been.

Its basicly just a kill switch, but with a visible key instead of trying to hide the switch. It does a good job on the "this is too much work, lets steal a different one" concept.

[Special K]

Jack, to take advice from the experts that investigate auto theft, a layered defense is best. There is no one product or technique is perfect, but you can increase your security by using multiple security systems. A kill switch is always a good start and you could add to that with a audible or visible deterrent like a steering wheel lock or a motion sensor alarm. Another good theft deterrent is VIN etching. That is where they etch your VIN number on your (glass) windows. Also, keep personal items and expensive equipment inside your jeep locked up and out of view, or even better don't leave them in your vehicle. Having a nice GPS/CB/stereo system visible may encourage someone to break into your vehicle and once there they may decide to just take the vehicle. I hope this gives you some help.

[Special K]

I looked at those links you provided and the GPS units look pretty cool. I would still use some type of visible/audible deterrent to try to prevent the theft, but those would be handy if they were to succeed. And it's handy if you lose your car at the mall.

[SavageSun4x4]

http://www.ravelco.com/
I installed this last year, pull the plug and its a no go!
I had one in my DD and it was nothing but problems. Always having to jiggle it to get the rig to start. Some days I would spend 10-15 min trying to get it set just right...

My choice is a hidden kill switch.

[macinyart]

Thanks guys for the good thoughts. Also thanks to the moderator who removed the posts that troubled me. I read with great interest the post by Tom Schenk and will contact him when I get back to AZ later this year. I also haven't written off the $6 method originally posted by Rich V. I, too, like the idea of a kill switch, but even so, that doesn't do much for the "contract thief" that pulls up with a flatbed. Working on this too.
Thanks again.

[macinyart]

Special K, thanks for the insight on the "layered defense" I like it.

[Tom Schenk]

Give me a holler when you get back. The entire rig costs about $20 to make IIRC, and about an hour to build and install. :)