Steadfast permanent collar

[MeanBuicks]

Do any TR vendors sell these or are they only available direct? I need to rebuild my anti-theft arsenal for another car so I'll start with this.

 

[re-evaluating]

Sorry to hear the bad news

Greg old buddy I can't help with the steadfast but just wanted to tell you how sorry I was to hear. :frown: If there is anything I can do to help or anything you need if you end up buying another one let me know. I hope to see you at BG maybe we can catch up a little there. Hang in there give me a call at HR if I can do anything to help.. Dave

 

[TurboDave]

Do any TR vendors sell these or are they only available direct? I need to rebuild my anti-theft arsenal for another car so I'll start with this.

I have a Steadfast on one of my GN's, and personally I hate the damn thing. I don't think they are near as secure as the wrap around type that use the round keys, Kirbans used to sell some REAL nice one's, don't know if they still do.
The replaceable key guard on the steadfast is a joke. Light duty and screwd on!!

 

[MeanBuicks]

Turbo Dave, I'm looking at the installation manual they have posted on their site: http://www.steadfastautosecurity.com/steadfast.pdf

I don't see the key guard you mentioned. Can you explain that for me?

Here's the unit on Kirban's site. Is this what you were referencing?

1978-1987 Regal -
COLUMN PRO-GARD STEERING COLLAR LOCK
This car guard collar lock, "Column Pro-Gard - Auto Security Device" will
fit any 1984-1987 Regal model with either console or column shifters. It
also fits a wide variety of other GM vehicles, including 1978-1987 Jeeps. A
full listing for other applications appears on the box.
The red, solid steel construction collar guard covers the the steering
column as well as the ignition switch. The lock for this collar is
incorporated into the unit, which makes it easy to use and store.
It1s highly visible, bright red, and comes with two special keys.
As you know, it's important to have as many theft deterrents as possible to
keep your Regal in your possession. This collar guard makes it especially
difficult to break the steering column in your car. We highly recommend this
unit as a visible theft deterrent to use along with some other device that
cuts off the fuel system or ignition. You can never be too safe. Don't wait
until it's too late.
7007 1978-1987 Regal - Column Pro-Gard Steering Collar Lock $51.95

 

[no-nos]

looks just like mine , i feel every buick owner needs to have one.

 

[TurboDave]

I'm probably using the wrong terminology. But it's the little chrome thing that you stick your ignition key into. They actually have you break the OEM plastic one off (rendering it impossible to put back in place) and replace it with this "cheezy" thin metal one to replace it. It has only two very tiny screws that hold it in place, so it provides NO protection whatsoever. It's also built in such a way that you cannot insert any keys that may have the typical black plastic head cover (you have to cut that off).

 

[SavageATL]

Apparently Kirban isn't doing business anymore?

Dammit, I just bought that Steadfast collar thing- haven't had it put on though. :frown: I wish I had know beforehand - - -however, Kirban's site isn't responding, is it down temporarily or is he no longer? a couple of other people had had that idea. I would return the Steadfast collar but I need to be sure I can get a replacement- also I heard that the removable collars were much less secure than the permanently mounted ones - - -

I bought that Ravelco thing (you can look it up on the web, duh) for my just purchased car and I will let you know how that is. It cost 180 including shipping, but I have to still have it installed.

 

[MeanBuicks]

They actually have you break the OEM plastic one off (rendering it impossible to put back in place) and replace it with this "cheezy" thin metal one to replace it. It has only two very tiny screws that hold it in place, so it provides NO protection whatsoever.

Just playing devil's advocate here because I'm trying to learn but if the OEM piece is plastic and pops off relatively easy to install the collar then is it really any better than the replacement part provided?

 

[TurboBob]

Aren't most columns broken on the turn-signal side....? If so the Steadfast is tons better than nothing. And its permanently installed, so you can't forget it.....

I have one but still need to install it. I will probably not put on the key-guard thingie.

That and a good anti-theft chip should stop amateurs from getting it.

Bob

 

[DR BOOST]

a few years ago we had come across a car in the boneyard with a steadfast collar on it. i tried screwdrivers , pry bars , tire irons , and finally a sledgehammer. the vulnerable areas of the column were still protected.

the steadfast IS the best way to protect the car from being started via the column.

p.s the lil chrome part is only held on with two lil screws because the real protection is a steel ring behind it.

surej

 

[TurboDave]

a few years ago we had come across a car in the boneyard with a steadfast collar on it. i tried screwdrivers , pry bars , tire irons , and finally a sledgehammer. the vulnerable areas of the column were still protected.

the steadfast IS the best way to protect the car from being started via the column.

p.s the lil chrome part is only held on with two lil screws because the real protection is a steel ring behind it.

surej

Steel ring behind it??? What worries me is the slide hammers that yank the ignition switch section. Steadfast absolutely will not protect against slide hammering the ignition switch. I'm still convinced that a good high quality hinged collar is much better. It covers the whole column.

After all, neither device will protect against the real pros. The people you need to stop are the joy riders that don't have a way to tow your car off at their leasure.
The collar pictured above is NOT the one I have. I have the one with the larger round, hollow keys like you see on high security pad locks, etc. and it's much better constructed. I'll see if I can get a picture.

 

[TurboDave]

Now, let me see if I can post them:

 

[Quiky One]

Where can you buy a steadfast?

 

[TexasT]

i have one

I like it. I also have some additional mods that were installed before the steadfast. That last time an attempt was made these worked but the column was still broken. The receptionist said she heard the horn blowing but couldn't figure out where it was coming from.

www.steadfastautosecurity.com

 

[petesgn]

I have a steadfast also

I saw a column guard like that red one broken.

the hinge is weak and got pryed apart.

 

[TurboBob]

I'm installing my Steadfast tomorrow.

2 friends have them, and they (used to) work in downtown Detroit. They still have their cars.......

The chrome key trim is ornamental, it screws to a heavy metal disk that is captured inside the collar. The instructions really don't show it, but it looks like it would be very effective against slide-hammering.

I'm just waiting for the gray paint to dry, then on it goes.......

Bob

 

[larry33kc]

I had a collar years ago put on my Z28 after it was stolen, but it was a perminate deal, it was made from bullet aluminum glued and then screwed with one way screws it was about one inch thick. it seemed to work and looked really nice.

It was stolen once after that but it was towed away from in front of the court house (of all places) after finding a cop in the court house that would help me, he thought I was smoking something so he walked me out to where I said I parked it to show him, and he still looked at me funny even though you could see skid marks from being draged, we then got in his car to look to see if I parked it somewhere else (like I don't know where I parked). I then start to hear my alarm going off ( it also had a kill switch) and I told the cop and he giggled yea right, I said that way, we then went toword the siren only to see it in a school playground on the back of a wrecker. I then jumped out of the car to proceed to beat the HE11 out of this guy as I am kicking him in the ribs and stomping on him because he is under my car cutting the Bat. cable to shut off the alarm, (he had also already removed the drive shaft), he comes flying out from under the car with me still kicking and stomping him only to see he has a hook for a hand ( I couldnt make this up if I tried) Thats when the cop finally stepped in to cuff him.

I had to stay to file a report. then they all left me there all by myself to put my car back together again, I was picking needle bearings off the ground to put the caps back on and I hand tightened the u joints back up and drove the 2 1/2 miles back to work very slowly which I was very late for. When my boss asked me where have I been I had to laugh and say, you wouldn't belive me if I told you. He didn't.

Sorry for the long story but I still have to laugh about that one

 

[DCVING 6]

I bought the one Kirban sells (pictured above) and sold it right away. In my opinion, the thing is a joke, kind of like the club. Any good sized screwdriver could peel it to pieces.

 

[BoyWonder]

Old post I know but I was poking around looking to upgrade my security after torturing myself reading bedtime ghost sotries on the Stolen Forum.

I guess one thing I'm curious about is why "The Club" is considered a joke - other than that cheesy "As Seen on TV" label

I already realize that it alone should never be considered your only or primary security measure - so it that is the reason I would understand.
I hear comments all the time like "a thief can cut your steering wheel in xxx seconds" "or a thief can do that" and I'll assume any good pro craftsman is good at his trade - including thieves.

But back to my basic question which is - doesn't the club also slow them down a little?
And if you slow them down, doesn't that improve your chances and make it just a little less appealing to a thief?

It would be great if you could have one golden gadget and didn't have to have logging chains wrapped around your car, with column guards, clubs; kill switches, special chips; pit bull dogs; GPS etc - but it is what it is these days - and it's neccesary since it is pretty darned hard to just replace these cars.
I know I couldn't immediately go out and replace my T-Top WE4 iwith one n the same condition, mods, paint etc.

As has been pointed out numerous times, I think the bigger risk comes from these rogue tow truck drivers - hook hand or real hand.
Especially with the abundance of those snatch-n-grab type rigs used for repo.
I think those people are shady period.

And how the heck does a tow truck driver perform his work with a hook for hand?
I suppose it could come in handy for snatching a chain though.
Did he also have an eyepatch?

 

[CGASTON]

If you have an iphone, check out Apple site. Some neat little tracking gadgets.

Sent from my iPhone using Turbo Buick