To lock or not to lock ? Jeep Security...

[Polka Dot]

Your doors/windows on your vehicle that is...:)

I've noticed a number of members' vehicles either broken into or stolen all together recently. Am I naive to think that this is an isolated crime spree or just how it goes here in the Valley?

When I was in Washington DC, my wife and I parked our YJ at Walter Reed's Commissary. An hour later my soft top was slashed and the $20.00 Kraco Stereo was stolen. Needless to say the top and the wiring mess hit harder than the stolen stereo.

So, since then I have purposely left my windows rolled down and doors unlocked. I figured that if the thief wants my stock radio he can have it, just don't slash my windows. If the vehicle gets stolen.. well that's what insurance is for.

Just curious if anyone else has this mentality regarding their Jeeps and what security measures, if any people are using. I've used a tuffy center console on occasion for small things like a camera when I need a lockable area on trips and such.

Dan

** If your idea of a Jeep security system is a few empty beer cans and a couple of shotgun shells in the backseat.... you might be a Redneck.

[jpotts]

I usually don't have doors or windows.... I just have a motion sensor type alarm. It's a bit of a pain to tune it so that it doesn't chirp when people walk by, but I've never had anything stolen out of it.

[Fire Ball]

Arizona is a haven for auto theft and break ins. If they want it they will take it. I usually don't lock my doors when the top is on because I don't want someone cutting the rear windows. If I have the top off, I lock the doors just to slow them down a little.

I don't keep anything in my vehicle of any value.

[sunroom2004]

I like the idea of leaving the windows zippered down...It's not like you have to deal with heavy rains around here. :D

I'm only concerned with somebody stealing my TJ.

I was thinking about putting a club on the steering wheel....

But then I recall hearing about someone putting a hidden switch on the ignition system, so you can disable it when you leave it parked.

This seems more effective, but not really sure how to do it...:confused:

Any ideas?

[neZZr]

I never lock my Jeep because I don't want my top cut... I just had a customer call today about replacement windows because vandals cut all three... $305 for each side, $264 for the rear window. :eek:

Though... leaving it open and unlocked doesn't always stop them... this happened to me last weekend. Parked with no doors, just bikini/duster. Honestly... how hard is it to just flip the seat forward?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/neZZr/duster_cut_2.jpg

[My Green Jeep]

We have alarms on our jeeps... so far so good...

I cannot stand leaving any of our vehicles unlocked
to me that is like yelling to the world "CRAWL IN LOOK
AROUND, TAKE WHAT YOU WANT!!!"

Everything is locked... alarms are on...

I know... I know... that still wont stop them but it
will slow them down while I get my gun :D :rolleyes:

[My Green Jeep]

I never lock my Jeep because I don't want my top cut... I just had a customer call today about replacement windows because vandals cut all three... $305 for each side, $264 for the rear window. :eek:

Though... leaving it open and unlocked doesn't always stop them... this happened to me last weekend. Parked with no doors, just bikini/duster. Honestly... how hard is it to just flip the seat forward?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/neZZr/duster_cut_2.jpg

Now that would piss me off....

[Easyover]

I've really paid attention to all of these theft posts, and I feel really fortunate to not have my Jeep as a daily driver.

My Jeep spends it's time in the garage when I can't see it. When I do have it out, it mostly does not leave my sight, unless it's a quick run into Home Depot or something. Even restaraunts I'll park where I can see it from the inside.

I'm extremely paranoid over the theft of my Jeep, and thats a good thing.

[dragon51]

I don't lock mine up either window's down or off altogether I take the cheap stereo face plate with me it has a alarm and a fuel pump shut off. Hood lock I figure if they want it they are going to take it but any thing I can do to slow them down a little. The most I keep in there is a old sheet just for my seats cause they tin to get a little hot with out it!

[Hivemind]

Nothing in it, not locked..

I had a removable faceplate for my Camino stereo and left it on the seat ONCE. Bastardos smashed the passenger window to steal it.

next time please check to see if THE FRIGGIN DOOR IS UNLOCKED first, thank you please drive through........................................... ....................

[SquarEyd]

I learned the hard way not to lock the doors on my jeep, and to keep nothing valuable in it. :mad:

The guy i bought my jeep from never locked the doors and always left the faceplate to the cd player in it. and sure enough, the first night i do that some jack*** breaks in a steals everything:mad:. I partially blame myself since i made it real easy for the thief by leaving a leatherman and flashlight in there so he could rip everything out.

Since then i never lock my doors, just leave the alarm on. It seems to work good at scarying them off. :cool:

And the crime rate is higher in some areas then others. In the old apartment complex I lived in, my jeep was broken into, and vandalized twice. im currently on my 4th radio in alittle over a year.

[jperez]

if someone wants to break into my tj good luck to them.... i hope they like their fingers cuz the rat traps are gonna make them wish they hadnt done it!:D ...... yes i have rat traps throughout my jeep.....:p

[Stickbuddy]

Broke into my CJ and took a fifteen year old cassette player. I asked the cop why anyone would want it, he said they didn't, they were just practicing. :mad:

Got a Tuffy console for my new rig. If it takes them as long to get it as it took me to install it, I'll be back in time to catch them.

[GRUNT]

I've really paid attention to all of these theft posts, and I feel really fortunate to not have my Jeep as a daily driver.

My Jeep spends it's time in the garage when I can't see it. When I do have it out, it mostly does not leave my sight, unless it's a quick run into Home Depot or something. Even restaraunts I'll park where I can see it from the inside.

I'm extremely paranoid over the theft of my Jeep, and thats a good thing.

x2!!!! I garage mine... Paranoid too, WHAT? What was that?!
I too left mine in DC and had the top slashed... They took the change in the ash tray and a half eaten bag of funions! Must have been a bum, htye left the CDs. Here it is gang bangers practicing or Mexicans taking it South...
Long story short, I leave it unlocked.... Besides, being 14 years old, the door locks don't work. :(

[terron gregg]

spend the money get an alarm we dont work so very hard to have are stuff stolen motion sensors are enough to keep the common thug away call it an investment