Theft Prevention

Seems to me even the most inept car thief could make off with a Spyder pretty quickly. What do you do to prevent this? I was thinking that a simple hidden toggle switch that interrepted a vital wire to the ignition might go a long way toward confounding a thief. Thoughts? Other approaches?

Thanks!

Chris, the best method is to keep your eyes on the car.

A switch that grounds the negative side of the coil in conjunction with a switch that interupts voltage to the positive side will help to thwart a thief. Also, a fuel pump cut off switch (provided you have an electric fuel pump) The thief would probably be able to drive about a 1/2 mile on the fuel in the carb bowls, less if he/she is hot tailing it from the theft location.

Other methods include an alarm, club, removable steering wheel, Denver boot, LOJAC, etc.

Remember, any thief that "really wants" your car will steal it, regardless of the safety measures you take.

True Larry, if they really want it or have a flatbed, you're done. I am installing several slow-downs, though. A switch on the Mallory(like MSD) for ignition kill, a switch for fuel pump, a switch for starter relay disable, and the big one: the removable thumb-screw on the negative battery cable trick. When I stop, I'll take it with me, so unless a thief can find and figure out the switches and has a nut of the proper thread, the car isn't moving under it's own power. Also, one of the Californians had lowjack installed, so that is also an option.

how about one of those brake balance valves, but put in the clutch fluid line so that you can "lock" the car in gear ??

I like the idea of locking the clutch. Thanks.

I also read on another board that a piece could be made to allow a paddlock to lock the e-brake on. When the e-brake is in the up position, a hole on the base and part of the handle would line up to accept the lock.

All these ideas are great. I guess it's only a question of picking a combination of the most effective. If I tried them all, it would take 10 minutes for ME to get the car rolling :)

How about good insurance. Get an appraisal to determine a agreed value with your insurance company. So one day when you go out to your garage or come out of the 7-eleven and your ride is gone, you dont have to cry. Just get your cheque and buy another used one (best value).
Remember, if someone wants your car they will get it. There is a cool story of a couple who owns two porsches. They had another couple over. They walked from their house to the restaurant. When they came back. The car theifs had bypassed two porsches that were blocking the 930 turbo in the driveway (the 930 was their target) and took the 930. They didn't care about the boxster or the carrera. They moved two cars with alarms out of the way took the 930 and parked the cars back in the driveway. The big thing last year was peole having their cars picked up/stollen via flatbed tow truck. Nobody questions a car being towed.
Another story is form one of my clients. He "had" a 930 cabrio. He was driving home from an erand and waved to another 930 cabrio driving in his direction. He thinks " thats just like my car". He gets home a few minutes later to find his garage door popped open and his car gone (his kids and nanny were in the house and did not hear anything). His car was never found. His garage and car were alarm operated.
Makes you wonder. If they want it they will get it.

Rotweiller chained to pass seat. The alarm from the original RoboCop which came out of the driver's seat and eloctrocuted the thief. ;)

Hi Chris,
A simple racing cut out switch that interrupts the main battery feed will do. They normally have a small fuse across ( 10amp) to allow for the time the key falls out when driving so the alternator does not fry itself. They retail for a few dollars/

fake vomit or dog poop placed in the drivers seat...what respectable thief would dare sit in it?

Chris: I have installed a so called "Tucson-switch" in my Spyder. This switch is hidden and cuts the juice to the coil. I also ran the wire in with the existing harness so its not obvious. With Tucson only an hour (or less) drive from Mexico, its a good idea for even your average cars here.
Be that as it may, I rarely drive the car unless I'm starting from and returning home.

Tom,

I am 30 minutes from Tijuana.

'nuff said...

When I install mine, do you mind if I call it a Tijuana switch? :)

Anyhow, I think vomit, poop, clutch lock, brake lock, fry-a-thief alarm, hidden kill switch, my 100 lb pure German bred German Shepherd and a 24 hour enuch guard should be enough, but I certainly welcome other ideas, ESPECIALLY if they are humorous!

Chris,

I say park it with the keys left in the ignition, leave it running when you go to the store. Park only in unlit areas away from traffic and take absolutely no preventive measures whatsoever.

The thieves will think there is something wrong with it, ignore your car and steal someones Honda with the Brake bar, cutoff switch, lojack and all of the other bells and whistles.

Hell, just enjoy it and insure it!

Have fun,
Ken

Chris: Permision granted. Like my dad used to say. "you can call me anything except late for dinner!"
Enjoy! Cheers!

Recently I saw a unique solution.

I saw a jeep that somebody had put a lot aftermarket stuff on. It was obvious the owner liked the car a lot. I noticed the ugly contraption on one of the wheels. I went over for a closer look. The guy had welded-up his own "boot" gizmo. He had a case hardened lock that was surrounded by a cup like thing. Two halves of the boot are joined allowing the lock's bolt to pass through a hasp and hold the two halves together. It looked like a great idea but I think you have to put a "plate" covering the wheel bolts on it to make a guy doesn't remove the whole wheel.

I asked the fellow if he thought about producing them commercially. He said by the time he finished putting it together it cost too much to produce at a profit.

I have saw the components (the lock and the hasp)in a lock shop recently and am considering building one for myself.

Bill,

These contraptions actually have a name, they are called a
"Denver Boot"

try this web site: www.denverboot.com/