Being that I'm a firm believer in the fact that cars were meant to be driven I have decided to keep my chevelle as a daily driver. Being that I live in Los Angeles this presents a bit of a security risk. So my question is, for all you daily drivers out there, what is the best method to insure that your car remains in your posession? I have considered kill switches, alarms, LoJack and even the club. Anybody have any opinions or ideas as to what is the best way?

--rO

Kill switch, alarm and even Grants removable steering wheel kit.....leaving a hollow point .357 slug on your seat with a note that says "Weapon and remaining ammo are with me" helps too....

You can cut the club off of a wheel in minutes and drive away although they are "somewhat" of a deterrent.

the hollow tip comment made me laugh...thanks for that...

Keep the suggestions coming.

--rO

P.S. - At approx. $700 do people think that LoJack is worth it?

I've thought about a kill switch when I get mine done -- but I don't know much about them. I know they won't slow the pro thief down very much, but I'm thinking that it would slow the punk kid joyrider down. I doubt I'd leave it in the parking lot at a Redskins game all day, I would just want to feel like if my wife and I are cruising around with the top down, we could stop for dinner somewhere, jump out and leave the top down, and have something to keep someone from easily jumping in and taking it.

I also got a new ignition switch. The old worn one could be turned over with a dime, screwdriver, whatever.

A Club wouldn't hurt, I suppose. Spoils the effect just a bit though.

Good luck. I'm sure L.A. presents more challenges than Lovettsville, Virginia.

Ed.

from what I understand there are two kinds of kill switches...electrical and fuel. Seeing as how these cars are easier to hotwire than a golf-cart with the keys left in it I think the logical conclusion would be a fuel line kill switch. It will prevent any fuel from getting to the engine thus not allowing the car to start. The fun part is trying to figure out where to hide it so that nobody can find it and flip it.

--rO

The problem with a fuel kill switch is that you would have to have an electric fuel pump. If you had a stock pump you would have to put some kind of lever on it, and run it until it ran out of gas because they would get a block or so with the fuel left in the bowls and lines. An electric solenoid would not work to block the fuel either because it would get too hot from staying open while driving

From a reliable source (my brother in the Highway Patrol):

"you should have three different theft deterrent devices installed. Pedal lock, kill switch and alarm. Most theives will pass on the cars with redundant systems."

If they want your car that bad they'll just tow it. I think the best anti-theft device is your eyes, i.e., don't let the car out of your sight if you can help it.

What exactly is a pedal lock and where do I get one?

On my buddy's old honda, you couldn't turn the key over unless you pressed and held a small button under the carpet. I'm thinking of installing a button that completes a 12V source to a relay and connects the neutral safety switch wire. Plus, a regular kill switch is cake to install, and would be installed on the 12V ignition source instead of the savety switch wire. That would be 2 different cut offs on 2 different wires. Plus, to prevent the towing factor, they now have car alarms that page you when it's going off. That would be perfect for that late night emergency wake up call.

Leave it ugly.

anything that hooks to the steering wheel is going to get left in your parking space as the thief drives away laughing with a section cut out of the wheel (MUCH easier to cut the wheel than the lock).

I like the idea of LoJack (aside from Big Brother being able to locate YOU whenever they want, too)

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but I remember there being an insurance thing where if the car is broken into, it's just "vandalized" but if it is moved more than a certain amount it is "stolen" thus allowing that part of your coverage to take effect.

If that is the case, I would have to vote Kill switch with a delay. Maybe a grenade under the seat. "Guy musta been a terrorist and had a premature. Shame, can't prosecute a dead man."

Lawman Pedal Lock. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

that's two votes for the pedal lock...where can see what one of these things looks like?

Get your cell phone provider to send you an extra clip for your belt. Every time you get out of the car, remove the engine, attach it to the extra clip and hang it on the opposide side from your cell phone (I associate people who have a cell phone clipped onto their belt/pocket in the same catagory as rednecks with a GIANT wad of keys hanging from their belt loop on a choke chain, sorry, I just call 'um as I see 'um).

I have the Grant removable steering wheel. I know it's a hassle carrying a back pack everytime but I feel somewhat secured with my car being undrivable. I also park it in an area where everyone can see it.

why not try and figure out a way to rig up a battery so when some one touches the car its 10000 volts through the body. That would sure keep people away. lol

Don't pedal locks operate on the basis that you can't put the car in gear without the brake pedal depressed? And isn't that a newer car thing? I haven't tried it, but I bet I could start my car (if it had an engine in it right now) and put it in gear without the brake. Of course, someone who stole it then would certainly wreck it, not having brakes.

I like the idea of the pedal lock because it's not unsightly. But I guess I'm not sure exactly how it works. Ed.

Swap the body out for a Ford Fairmont, NO ONE would steal one of those. Kill switch stops the joy ride, if a pro wants it, it'll be on a rollback.

Here's one pedal lock, I'm sure there are others.
http://www.youcansave.com/autolock.html

You guys have forgotten to mention what I feel is the best option-HAVING REALLY GOOD INSURANCE! As mentioned above, if someone really wants your car, there is nothing that you can do to stop them-so have the car insured for the full value in case it disappears, at least you can get what it is worth back.

For deterrents, I use a car alarm, pedal locks, and fuel, & ignition cut off switches. I have an electric fuel pump so this is easy for me. I know that the car can still be towed, but if so, the alarm will be going off while they are doing it.

Don't mess with Lo-Jac, much like cell phones they are limited in area that they can pick up the signal. Here in Houston, car thieves steal cars and then park them in public parking lots and check on them every few days. If the car has Lo-Jac, then the cops pick it up.. If the car is still there in a few days, they then take them and strip them. My point here is this, if it takes the cops 2-3 days to pick up a car with Lo-Jac, they can usually strip it before it is recovered..

You can find Lawman pedal locks at Pep Boys.

I"ve heard that thieves can easily get around the brake lock by simply using the emergency brake pedal instead and keeping the release handle pulled...wouldn't it be better to lock the gas pedal?

Originally posted by Bad67SS:
I"ve heard that thieves can easily get around the brake lock by simply using the emergency brake pedal instead and keeping the release handle pulled...wouldn't it be better to lock the gas pedal? Not a problem! I haven't had an e-brake in the Chevelle for the 3 years I've owned it!! tongue.gif :D

i've heard that the auto-lock is pretty good and i would NOT use the gas pedal because it is the weakest of the three pedals, no shaft like the other two. they had a show on the speed channel about them and it seems pretty indestructible. the joyriding little punks would probably do more damage where the pro would take it out of your garage if they wanted it. i'm looking to get the auto-lock when i drive the 66 daily. it will deter the average joe. imo :cool: and i hope not :confused:

Man I love my SEARS ANTI-THEFT battery .Arm it, engine lites,run 10 seconds ,then engine turns off . Try to restart and the engine turns over but she no start. Long parked period (winter) battery goes into sleep mode saving charge. Bump the car while battery is armed the battery starts chir graemlins/thumbsup.gif ping.The AC-DELCO baterry covers fit them perfectly. comers with key-chain remote .If these puppies are available still I think they are worth the peace-of-mind. I put a peddle lock on the clutch and brake .Threw away the steering wheel club it just gets your cushion grip butchered. Later Nick

I have a kill switch that is unknown to anyone! All I do is give the steering wheel column a twist and the car cannot be started, then I also got a Die Hard Security Battery. I just noticed that the above comment lets everyone know about it. I too have that exact one. I love it.

I know it's a bit of a tangent, but if you had a line lock, couldn't you use that as a deterrent too? Another use for a hidden switch. It would make it tougher to winch onto a flatbed at least.

what's a line lock?

Originally posted by robando:
what's a line lock? otherwise known as roll control. basically, allows you to set and lock the front brakes and the rears stay free, used for staging and burnouts in stick cars although alot of auto guys run them as well to keep rear brakes from getting fried. So you dont have to hold the brake pedal down and engage the rear brakes when staging and such.

I use the grant removable steering wheel kit. You remove the steering wheel with a key and a simple twist. Then this sold metal cap fits into the mechanism where the steering wheel hooks that way they cant come try to rig there own. I usually lock my wheel in my trunk so i dont have to carry it. Even if they did get into the trunk and find the wheel theres no way theyll get that metal cap off without the key thats with me!

I used to live in LA for 19 yrs when i grew up and i hate to admit it but i knew people who stole cars and they never would have bothered if there was no steering wheel. They usually wouldnt even bother if there was a simple "noise making" alarm on the car..

How about 50,000 volts? My Pop had a rig on his '50 Ford. He hooked the high output of an old ignition coil to chassis ground, and had a toggle switch under the dash. He'd park the car, reach in and flip the switch. The tires were enough of an insulator to keep it from discharging.

His best gag was to carefully hop up on fender and sit there and wait for a buddy to wander over (remember he's sitting on the car, but not touching the ground). The buddy would come over and put a hand on the car and get zapped! :D

You'd probably get sued nowadays, or someone'd caack 'cause their pacemaker'd short out. :eek:

Kill switch all the way, if you have somewhat of a modified car (IE Electrical fuel pump, MSD Ignition) Anything that makes the car goes that is hooked up electrically. Kill that particular part with a combo of switches, maybe ones that have to be held for a certain amount of time, or ones that need a magnet next to them to work, maybe switches that have to be in a certain order or blow a fuse somewhere hidden in the car.

Kill switches if done correctly can make your car only stealable if being towed & there is no defense against that.

Good luck, and DISCONNECT the battery smile.gif .

At first I had an electric fuel pump with a toggle switch mounted in the console between the console and the seat. I would just turn it off as I pulled into somewhere, if some one ever took it the car would maybe get a hundred yards away before running out of gas and they would think it was a piece of junk and leave it. After I went back to a regular fuel pump I broke the neutral safety switch circuit.
If I remember correctly the car still cranks over but will not start.
I also removed the door lock post things, you have to lock the doors with the keys so you can never lock you keys in the car.

Robando,

I also use my Chevelle as my daily driver. I work in Washington, D.C. and worry about having my car stolen. I have a Viper alarm system, a kill switch and a Master Lock steering wheel lock (club). The Master Lock steering wheel lock has two hooks on each end and fits over the spokes. The steering wheel would have to be cut in at least two places to get it off. Like some of the other folks have mentioned, if they want it they'll get it. Make sure it's insured properly and keep driving it.

Good luck,
Bubba

For those of you without an electric fuel pump - check out shops that do alternative fuel conversions. They have solenoids for dual fuel that can be used inline. Just make sure you get one with minimal restriction (unless you don't care about performance).

Line-lock? Good idea. But they aren't designed to be left on for long periods of time. A simple solution is to wire up a latching relay. Brake lights can be used to activate it, and then it stays on till it's disconnected. Maybe the solenoid won't die before it's recovered... but if not, a line-lock is a small price to pay.

As for switches, you might want to check out some magnetic door contacts. Can be hidden behind non-metallic surfaces too. Means that you'll need a magnet and not a key, but you can always leave a magnet somewhere in the car.

Security only works if people don't know about it. That means that you should only show people you implicitly trust. And make sure they understand what it is you're asking from them too. It's way too tempting to show of the cool little tricks.

Now we just gotta figure out how to keep the tow trucks away. smile.gif

Add a kill switch for the ignition and electric fuel pump. Remove your inspection sticker and get it laminated.Tape it in the window in the correct spot.Take it with you when you leave the car.When the locals spot no sticker, they will stop the car or call it in and find it's stolen.Just don't forget to put it back in! :D

LOL i think thats funny about the shocking people with the coil / battery because i rember in our 63 mgb i was putting in a new key switch and i wired it wrong so if you even touched the key it would shock the hell out of you lol it was kinda fun couldnt keep your hand on the key to turn it but i guess you could just grab it with ur shirt... graemlins/clonk.gif

oh yeah i vote for the pedal lock or kill switch or both

Robando,

Check out this site.

http://www.brakelock.com/

Bubba

I vote for a lazer beam shooting out from the dash to the center of the drivers seat. Won't get far. :D Or some really hungy big dogs.

One of the easiest and cheapest methods is to pull a couple of fuses. An ign. fuse or elec. fuel pump, or another will work. it'll take someone a little bit of time to figure out a fuse is missing. I also have an elec fuel pump, so a toggle switch is good. Or you can just park it i the garage and never move it, but where would the fun be in that.

When I worked at the St. Louis Chevy plant in '68 a guy had a bad 55 that he used a huge log chain that went thru the frame somehow and padlocked it to a light post every night. A bit of a hassle but that car was always there when I went home.

You could put an inline switch in the ignition wire. It will crank but never start.

weird idea

but what if you have electric cut outs

when you park - turn them open - so when they drive your car - they will wake everyone up - or attract attention

or maybe get something that can disconnect/connect your shifter easily - i.e. turn the car off, leave the automatic shifter in 1st, disconnect tranny wire. when they drive away - not only will they be spinning the engine in the high rpm and not go anywhere, it will also be very loud.

Three years ago, I pondered this exact same question, how do I keep my baby from disappearing?
I bought a 4 foot long 1" diameter Harley Davidson Cycle cable that comes encased in a soft clear coating (so it does not scratch anything) for about $70.00 with a nice molded lock in the one end. When I park my baby anywhere, I always drive it INTO a parking space, turn the steering wheel hard left or hard right as far as it will go & feed the cable in & out of the ceter "H" portion of my sport steering wheel 3 times & then feed it thru the console horseshoe shifter & lock it into place.

If you are going to steal it, you would have to spend the time to cut the steering wheel in 3 different places to get the cable out, it looks real impressive.

I also have a keyless entry alarm that that kills the starter motor from cranking, but also interfaces to my factory power locks & power trunk option, it's great, I never scratch the paint finish should I ever miss the lock cylinder on a door or the trunk with my key, & I never lock myself out of the car since I always use the remote on my key ring to lock it with.

The reason I always drive INTO a parking spot & turn the steering wheel hard left or hard right before locking with my Harley cable & lock is that if someone decides to flat bed it or tow it from behind, the front wheels are NOT straight therefore making it unmanageable in towing it or dragging it onto a flat bed truck because the wheels are not straight.

I have to believe that a 12 wire alarm CPU under the dash is a whole lot more difficult to disconnect/compromise not knowing which two wires are needed to short to put the starter back into operation. With a hidden kill switch on the console or under the dash, you just have two wires to jumper, & the car is theirs.


Jim

A.C.E.S. 4996


Frame off red 71 Chevelle SS496 Convertible with white stripes, top & interior loaded with factory options: TH400, cowl induction, power windows, locks, cruise, tilt, top, trunk, 12 bolt 373 posi, A/C, AM-FM 8 track, power drivers bucket seat, mirror map light, trunk, hood, glove box lights, on the wheel GM air pressure gauges, Delco Jac Pac 175 (under hood vacuum powered air compressor) with under dash Delco air pressure controller/regulator, complete with Jac Pac 175 air shocks.

http://chevelle.ogleonline.com/jim.htm

1952 Chevrolet 4 door Deluxe Sedan with a 216.5ci in line 6 with the last RAJO (RAcing JOe) Power Cylinder Head designed by grandfather in the 1940's. Joe designed, built & sold all over the world performance heads during the 20's, 30's & 40's starting with the model T Ford. Joe drove in the FIRST INDY 500 in 1911 as car # 8.

Watch for my SS496 Chevelle as a pace car at Indy in 2011 (100 years after Joe) IF THEY WILL LET ME !

I have the best deterent a Chevelle could have...

Those 2 extra doors ;)

Seriously, I'm looking into the keyless entry thing. it's a hassle locking that thing up manually just to run accross the street. And I like unlocking it from a distance.

As for alarms, I picked up a vintage 68' alarm system - the kind with a key-lock in the fender that works the horn - loud. Also a good conversation piece ;)

Kill switch - Always, just too easy not to.

Remember too, a thief may be watching you park. Your routine may be a giveaway to your swith locations.

I would want a system that prevents theft. Low Jack is after the fact.

Check this site out cost is about $189.00


http://www.cardefender.com/

I am a big believer in the Powerlock System that I saw on the Hot Rod Power Tour a couple years ago. See www.powerlock.com (http://www.powerlock.com) for more info. I have several of these for sale if you have an interest. Other club members have bought these from me and love them. I sell them for $200 inclusding shipping which is just over cost.

what we are planning on for my car is 3 kill switches, 2 under the dash and one somewhere else, on top of that a fuel cut off, possibly 2, by the time they get the kill switches figured out, they drive down the road and it runs outa fuel, and if you have 2, by the time it runs outa fuel the second time they are just gonna leave it.

you can buy gps thingies that will tell you where your own car is, with certain computer software. dont remember the name, might wanna do a google search for it. I think its cheaper than $700, and only you can track your car. also, a buddy of mine connected a ball valve thingie thru his fuel line, to cut off his fuel. semms like that would work well, you just need to know some plumbing.

I think the Brakelock that Bubba mentioned is a great idea. Bypassing it would be more trouble than it's worth, since it's in the brake lines.

It would also make it more difficult to tow. They'd have to jack it up and put wheel dollies under it in order to move it. Of course, they could just disconnect the brake lines to tow it, but again, it makes their life harder.

My deterrent is that the car ain't all that pretty. It performs a thousand times better than it looks.

Someone was right on when they said that your rutine can give away your switches. One trick I have not herd here is for anyone running a newer stereo deck. On mostly all of the newer decks with removable faceplates the decks themselves have a signal wire that is ment to trigger amplifiers after the face has been put on, kinda like a wake up signal. If one was to run this wire to a relay they could controll any of the mentioned electronic devices ie, ignition, fuel pump, and it would not look at all unusual in the fact of how many people put the deck in when they get in or take the deck out when they get out?

Any way just an idea.

mark