need advice for anti-theft devices

[rwrows]

OK, so I decided not to sell my T for now. Instead, I got the tranny fixed, charged up the a/c, and cleaned it up a bit, and am now using it as my daily driver, and parking it on the street. The car is running like a brand new car. For the past couple months it was a little neglected sitting in a garage. I forgot how beautiful the car is. And after I washed it on Sunday, and had tons of people all over it and video taping it at a car show, I realized how much of a beauty she is. Everyone was fascinated with it, it was the only turbo buick there. anyway, after I parked it last night, I started having nightmares about a flat bed backing into the street and pulling the car up on it and stealing my car.

How often are these cars stolen? Should I be worried. I do live in Philadelphia, where we have a pretty high crime rate. I have a club on the car, and an alarm. I was thinking of getting lojack. i can get the basic lojack for about $600 or the upraded one for about $1000. The upgraded one will call my cell phone in less than 15 minutes after the car is stolen. What do you guys think? Also, I park it around the corner from my house, since I live in a row home built in 1890 on a little street, I can't really park on my street, and of course don't have a driveway. So I can't keep a real close eye on it.
here are two pics of the car I took on my cell phone today.

 

[at7we2]

I see from your signature you have an '88 Monte SS so you should know how easily '80's G-bodies can be stolen. My recomendations:

1. aftermarket alarm - nothing unusual, just setup to make noise if someone jacks with your car - need starter kill and shock sensor at least.

2. brake pedal lock "AutoLok" - relatively cheap way to slow them down a few seconds (unless they have a tow truck)

3. stearing column protection - either permanant or lockable/removable (another way to slow them down a few seconds - unless they have a tow truck)

4. "homemade" kill switch - do some wiring diagram research, figure out how to disable at least one of the following: injectors, starter, fuel pump. Here's an opportunity to be creative. I've seen guys use relays and magnets and come up with some pretty clever devices.

5. Glock - need I say more :biggrin:

6. Lo-Jack - this is an "after the fact" measure. if the first 5 items failed you, hopefully this will help you recover your pride and joy before the low-life turds screw it up too much.

HTH
Rob

 

[at7we2]

nice looking car BTW. always been partial to grey "T's".

 

[Evans Ward]

The best precaution is a good insurance policy with an agreed upon value. Appraisal ahead of time sure helps too. Even though various and numerous AT devices are needed/ recommended, there isn't a thing you can do if someone wants your car and comes after it with a roll back van/truck. Large car shows are targets too for a thief like a kid in a candy store. Nice car, BTW!

 

[rwrows]

Thanks boys. I do have full coverage with a nice agreed upon value, but it's an antique/classic policy with grundy. I think they're assuming that my car is in a garage, which it was, until recently when I decided to make it my daily driver. any thoughts on that?

 

[ChavoLC2]

only takes channel locks and a screwdriver.

They steal them when ever they can. Had an 87 GN stolen right from our drive way. Came out to go to work and car was gone, they had the decencey to take the cover off, thank God we had full coverage. An other GN /T-type guy had his stolen from his driveway as well. They painted it and put 20"s on it.

So do whatever you can to slow them down and don't leave it in one place for too long

 

[TR Custom Parts]

I think parking it on the street in Philly is just an invitation to having it stolen!

Looks like a really nice car, put it back in your garage.

 

[2badgn]

I agree, lock it up in the garage so u want have to worry as much.

If u decide to leave it on the street, u must have 1. steering column lock 2. brake pedal lock 3. alarm w/ fuel and/or ignition cut-off switch

The above will protect u against most amateurs without a tow truck.

Then to locate it after the tow truck takes it, u need that lojack that will call u or A really good GPS system that will call u.

MY GN is locked up inthe garage and I will soon get the GPS.

If u want to sleep well at night u must keep it in a locked garage with all the anti-theft devices. Just search this thread and u will see pics of Turbo cars that were stolen and stripped to the bare frame and body.

Good luck
Frank

 

[tthorngen]

lojack is old school. Look into Vipers GPS tracking. Monthly fee, yes. But not bad at all. Works with your alarm. It has a flatbed detector also, so if its towed it will call your cell, your mom and your bosses daughter.

 

[notacarlo]

I did this: Ravelco Anti Theft Device

 

[tthorngen]

that wont stop a tow truck

 

[notacarlo]

Also, we have this:On-Board Communications, Inc. - Home
on our heavy equipment and haul trucks. I thow one in my trunk and hook it up to the battery when I go out of town.

The unit itself costs about $240.00, then you buy a bucket of pings (like 400 minutes) for $40 and thats it. When you use up your 400 pings, they charge your account again for $40. A ping would be a message sent to the unit to tell it to do something. If you request for it to send YOU something back, that would be two pings. Then the website logon allows you to realtime track the vehicle, shut it down, dissable the starter, ignition,or fuel pump. You can also program in a maintenance schedule - every 3500 miles it will e-mail you to tell you to change your oill, etc.

I set mine for a 300 foot radius of my garage. If the car leaves that 300 feet, I get an e-mail on my phone. I start to track and call in the cops.

Pretty neat stuff. If someone disconnects it from the battery, it has a back up and uses a cellular signal to keep in contact.

 

[notacarlo]

that wont stop a tow truck

That's what the Beretta is for.

 

[TurboDave]

Thanks boys. I do have full coverage with a nice agreed upon value, but it's an antique/classic policy with grundy. I think they're assuming that my car is in a garage, which it was, until recently when I decided to make it my daily driver. any thoughts on that?

LOJACK!!!

BTW, since you've decided to use your car as daily driver, your Grundy insurance is totally nullified, theft, collision, whatever. Nothing applies. You'll need to get it re-insured at a conventional company.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

Do Not Install Shock Sensors On The Alarm.

 

[Missouri T]

Re-think that insurance asap!

That previous response is right.
Grundy is NOT a daily-driver policy company.
I use Hagerty classic insurance on my classic VW and, according to their paperwork, it has to be stored INDOORS!
You're flirting with losing everything leaving that beauty on the street for the "drive by shoppers" to check it out.

I ended up getting a policy through my daily driver company.
They had NO problem setting me up with a healthy policy I was comfortable with.
Seems our beloved Turbos are well-loved and represented.

LOVE the Gray T's.
You made a GREAT choice keeping it.
You'd kick yourself forever had you sold it.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

Are there full cover policies available?
Something just like what the new cars get.
Drivers that sleep on the street.

 

[2badgn]

why no shock sensors?

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

False alarms
Most people ignore their own alarm because of the false alarms.
With out shock sensors if you alarm goes off you will run out that door in seconds.

 

[garyk1970]

False alarms
Most people ignore their own alarm because of the false alarms.
With out shock sensors if you alarm goes off you will run out that door in seconds.

I sell and install alarms,gps units,etc. and nothing is worse than a shock sensor giving false alarms.
shock sensors are adjustable and i take the time to adjust CORRECTALLY and almost more importantally educated the customer that they dont want their alarm so sensitve that a car going by or thunder will set off alarm.But if someone trys to break glass or jack up to steal the wheels,etc the alarm will go off.I personally wont install a alarm without a shock sensor on my personal vehicles because about twelve years ago i was taking a shower and heard my alarm go off, I ran outside in only a towel:biggrin: and seen a old car driving off,i noted the tag as i walked to check my then 86 gn . they had backed into it so hard it moved the buick over a foot.police tracked the lady down, see claimed she didnt realize she hit my car .

also hook up the horn,not a siren,poeple will look when a horn blows.