JAMES-RX-007

What is the best method or device you have personally found for vehicle theft prevention or recovery. I ask because I am starting to put some $ into mechanical repairs in restoring my '85 SE and do not want it stolen in Charlotte(land)-those of you in Chicago will get the play on words. I am fixing everything mechanical the first few years and then going to do new carpet and a good paint job, etc. later. I got an idea from a national article in the local paper about some guy who stalked his former girlfriend by having a GPS (Global Positioning System) transmitter hidden in her car. Now to apply the idea, who would not stalk their own stolen car (with the police) for recovery from theives? It just seems impossible to prevent ones car from getting stolen if someone wants it bad enough. Therefore assuming one already had a good theft prevention system, if one could track their missing car anywhere (and not just in selected LoJack states) would that not be a piece of mind to know you could find your stolen car and likely the perps? Has anyone heard of using such a system?

Manntis

1) hidden kill switch. Only effective if you use it.

2) Alarm system with pager alert. Most people will somewhat ignore an alarm siren, but @ least you'll know something is up.

3)Locator - probably the GPS locator you mentioned. Thieves will sometimes steal a car, park it for a few days to see if lojack or some other locator service recovers it, then take it to their final chop-shop.

4) LOCK THE DOORS. Statistically this makes a huge difference.

1984se

get i think its called something Star look it up online. its like that uses a gps system excepy unlike lojack where u have to CALL it in for them to activate it (where they could have stolen it at 1am and u find out at 7am 6hrs later and 6hrs head start) as soon as ur alarm goes off its ACTIVATED!

another thing: SHAVE UR DOOR HANDELS AND LOCKS AND GET AUTOMATIC ONES. a CLUB and AUTOLOCK just to give them extra time and hassle if they REALLY wanna take it. GOOD LUCK HOPE FOR THE BEST

MINE JUST GOT STOLEN!!! sad so sad and depresed.

JAMES-RX-007

Thanks for the replies. I believe you are refering to OnStar a GM GPS unit for map directions, breakdowns, emergencies, vehicle location, etc. I just rode in a friends company car that has it and I believe it would help in vehicle recovery unless the thief knew where the OnStar transmitter was and could get it out. I like Manntis idea of a well hidden kill switch. Also, a friend who helped me unflood my rex said to just remove the engine fuse if I was ever in a bad 'hood and I guess I should remove the fuse box cover with the fuse location answer from my car and just memorize the fuse location.

Keaponlaffen

Anything that looks like it'll slow them down, or prevent them from stealing your car will make a smart car theif think twice. If there's a blinking LED, or anything like that, if he's smart, he'll just go on to the next car without an alarm.

inittab

A kill switch that cuts power to the fuel pump would be extremely easy to install. The fuel pump wiring is right under the driver's seat storage bin. The car will start but won't go more than a few feet. But as Mannis points out, you will have to remember to hit the switch every time. Perhaps the switch could have some "smarts" and automatically disconnect when the power is cut off and will only be allowed to turn on agin when it has power. This will force you to hit the switch everytime you turn the key to the on position. That's gotta be doable I also like Keaponlaffen's idea of the blinking LED as a deterent.

Keaponlaffen

Well, they've proven it, just having a light, a club, even a sticker on the window can help your car not be stolen by a least 15% or something like that... and in a 20 year old sports car, that's enough to make the guy move on to the next car... there's lots more 20 year old cars out there without alarms, clubs, blinking LEDs, etc

brianmcd

What do you mean by kill switch? Just something that you press when you're done and it cuts fuel and have to turn back on before you drive? Has anyone done this? Sounds cool. I need to get an alarm for my car soon.

81Rex6port13b

yes a kill switch, is just a switch that will turn off power to what ever you have it connected to. if you connect it to your fuel pump. hide it some where in your car. and flick it when you leave your car. if some one trys to steal it. it wont start because no fuel. when you get back in flick the switch and your good to go.

i personaly dont thing a car alarm works. unless you have the pager one. i had a car alram on my neon. some one broke in and stole my CD player. (dont know why i hid the face plate) my alram whent off. i was inside a pc cafe. and could not hear it. some ome comes in like 2 min after this guy steals my **** and taps me on the sholder. says "you own the neon? some one just broke in a stole your CD player." i was like wtf why didnt you tell me? he said he watched him do it. and did not want to get "shoot" for trying to stop him. BAH!

some people.

Wankelguy

kill switch=ignition or fuel cut-off switch. I just disconnect the coil wires presently, but I plan to install a kill switch soon. A removable steering wheel is a great option, too. If someone looks in and sees no steering wheel, they won't even bother breaking in to your car.
Car thieves typically steal the cars they KNOW how to steal, in most areas that generally does not include 1st gen. RX7s, but rather Hondas and Toyotas, ha ha ha.

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

Grant makes a removable steering wheel system. Best darn anti-theft device I ever used. No one touched the car after I installed it.

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...-2001&x=17&y=9

pratch

I have a fuel pump switch by matter of my cpu acting up. I must admit though, that the thought of finding my car 150 yards from where it was stolen makes me smile I always use it (you can hear the fuel pump if you leave it on), and keep it fairly well hidden.

Sammymatik

I'd say the fuel pump cut off is definatley a good thing to install!

I was also considering the removeable steering wheel.

ANd lojack!? How much does that cost? I'll have to do a searh here in a sec...

Marek

iTrader: (2)

Just remove the main wire from your Distributor Cap and I bet few thief’s are "Smart enough" to switch it with one of the sparkplug wires and let it run on 3 plugs. It’s a lil more trouble but what’s more trouble opening your hood every time or loosing your car?

Marek

iTrader: (2)

Just remove the main wire from your Distributor Cap and I bet few thief’s are "Smart enough" to switch it with one of the sparkplug wires and let it run on 3 plugs. It’s a lil more trouble but what’s more trouble opening your hood every time or loosing your car?

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

LOL They done thought of it, its called OnStar

brownmound

Hidden kill switch (well hidden) or some fresh poop under the seat would be most effective.

Right on.

poweRX-7

Hey DriveFast7,
Does that removeable steering wheel adapter fit directly on the FB's? Also do you have to get a grant steering wheel for it as well?
jeff

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

Nope, the Grant removable steering wheel kit doesn't directly fit any factory steering wheel. Wish it did! But you probablly need and would like a new Grant wheel anyways. The removable kit only fits grant or other wheels with the same three bolt hole setup.

You'll also need a Grant adaptor for the steering column spline. That adaptor slides onto the spline and the removable kit bolts to that. Stock Nylox nut holds that onto the steering column. Grant steering wheel has a puzzle lock piece attached to it that fits into the removable kit.

FANTASTIC Anti-theft device!

No wheel, no steal!

mwpayne

But..wouldn't people stare as you walk casually through the mall with a steering wheel in your hand....

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

Yep. Great conversation piece.

I actually only took the wheel with me when I parked it for the night or parked it in bad neighborhoods.

Once the steering wheel is off, a thick steel cap LOCKS onto the steering column. Very solid cap and lock. I usually just put the steering wheel in the storage box behind passenger seat. Out of sight.

Later,

jimtesla

I was just told of a truck that had a kill switch in the cig lighter...Just depress the lighter and no start........Or just take it out........release it back to the neutral position and your off..........Dont know if this is a custom job or a kit........I would rather have a hidden one.........
Sounds like somebody could make some money and make a kit with instructions...............save the seven switch.......

wwilliam54

hooke the power cable to the cig lighter to a relay on the starter cable

really good idea

Rotary13B1

iTrader: (8)

ohhhh really ehh Brad?? Now what city did you live in? hahaha j/k

Cody

Moss motors sells a Racing battery cut off switch, for $16.00. I had this in my MGB. Of course, my battery was relocated to the trunk in that car. But, maybe you want to relocate your battery to the back anyhow, or in a storage bin.

Its basically the same thing as a cut off switch, but you get a plastic key. It sits connected to the cable, between the battery, and the engine. You can buy battery cable with the boltdown ends at the length you want it.

Its also nice, because you never have to worry about leaving the dome light on, or anything electrical, which can drain the battery overnight.

Every time you leave the car, you just turn the key to off, and either leave it there, or take it in with you.