Have a 2001 f-250 7.3 truck with 176000mi. Guess this body style is the number one stolen vehicle now. My sisters friend just had there’s stolen with side by side on trailer end of march this year while pulled in for bite to eat in Mesquite Nv. I now know after research how easy they are to steal. My question is what products do you recommend or measures can i take so this doesn’t happen to me?
In environmental criminology (which takes its logic from rational choice theory), you have to do what is called "target hardening." In other words, you have to make it more difficult for potential thieves to steal your truck. There are many ways to do this, from wheel locks, to steering wheel column locks, to anti-theft systems, to kill switches, and tire clamps to biometric starters. There are even GPS devices that will track your vehicle as it is driven away by thieves.
It's a big industry out there, vehicle theft preventive measures. You'll have to carefully evaluate one or more of these measures. (You might enhance the vehicle's security by using two or more of these methods).
I would think a kill switch would be pretty cheap and effective.
seeing that your truck is 20 years old (and ain't gettin' no younger child) a kill switch with some aftermarket devices added seem like the most logical option. I'd call/ ask around for shops that have experience installing kill switches
The best starting place would be a steering wheel lock. They are low tech but they are dirt cheap. I use them myself.
(caveat here- Im no car expert {black}:sweaty: just speaking from what Ive read/ seen) Lowjack has been around forever and unless Im mistaken it's around $700..sounds like a lot but when you consider the amount a stolen car will cost you in the end it makes sense (also you will prevent all the anger & frustration of a stolen car). If that's just too much you can do a combination of aftermarket alarm and anti theft devices like pedal , tire and steering wheel locks (the Discloc out of the U.K. looks pretty interesting). They are kind of an annoyance to do daily but you get used to it & it's worth it to prevent the headache of a stolen car.
There are also new anti theft devices that plug into your OBD port and send you text messages when tampering is detected..from what Ive seen reviews on these are somewhat mixed. Ive also heard of people using baby monitors and motion detectors to guard their cars at night.
The easiest/cheapest way is take the ignition or EFI fuse into the house with you at night.
true but the question is do you want to do that on a daily basis morning and night..Id do it at least until you get some aftermarket anti theft devices on the car
The best deterrent is a kill switch. Just know that no matter what you do, if they want it bad enough, they'll take it. But a properly installed kill switch at least means they won't be driving it away.
