rhino_mac Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I saw the post on the stolen TR4 on Facebook and the forum and it got me thinking, especially after I "broke down" last week. One of the spade connectors came off my ignition switch rendering the car useless. Now I'm useless with electrics but even I managed to swap the other wire onto the spade connector by-passing the ignition in about 10 seconds. Car started again and off I went home. So a lesson in how easy it is to hotwire a TR3, especially as mine is without a roof at the moment! So, any ideas on how to make the car a little more secure without having to pop the bonnet everytime you want to use the car? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 back to basic.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Lots of ways - an easy one is a hidden switch which shorts out the contact breaker - thus no spark. hot wiring battery to the coil will not help. wires should be hidden of course use black, & route them down the distributer column, then sneak around keeping out of sight till inside the car. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MRG1965 Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I like the visual deterent. I have the old fashion crook lock on the steering wheel, easily removed, but time consuming to do so without the key, but at about £35 from halfords does the job. Just have to remember to put it on! I've also seen the threads for fuel shut-off valve, which is something I'm looking at doing. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3739 Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I like the visual deterent. I have the old fashion crook lock on the steering wheel, easily removed, but time consuming to do so without the key, but at about £35 from halfords does the job. Just have to remember to put it on! Mark Hi Mark I have the same & also use a switch on the Fuel Pump undiclosed location. Cheers Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
McMuttley Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I use visible rust Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Follow this link. http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/28980-the-worlds-best-diy-immobiliser/?hl=immobiliser It is easy and cheap to install and will make things a bit more difficult for an opportunist. It won't stop someone who is determined and comes armed with a tow truck; for that a tracker device is probably the best option. There was a thread on here a about 12 months ago recommending a reasonably priced piece of kit that was being sold by or through Amazon. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Trouble with above is that it is easy to defeat using extra wires from say the battery to the coil. by using the switch (or relay) to short the CB to ground in a covert way, the car still wont start even if above wire link is added. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graze Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 On a 5 or 6 you can always push the plunger on the inertia switch, will fool most Also cut out switch to fuel pump And I have an immobilized on the 4 Graze Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I heard that a Krooklock can be removed simply by removing the rubber pedal pad, then it slips off. Don't know if this is true, or maybe it applied to older series of Krooklocks. Although, a thief would probably not know this, unless he has experience of TRs. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I use a battery cut-off, fuel pump hidden switch & a Kroolock! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Security is a massive problem and one that the thief is always in the lead. Visible deterents - krooklock etc - put off the casual opportunist. Immobilsers will not stop the determined thief with a trailer etc TRackers appear very good but can be screened to stop them working. My plan, like Austins, is to have a few nice areas of rust on display. And always park next to a better looking car. Do the best you can. Visible means and immobilse (rotor arm removal). Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MRG1965 Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I have to agree with Roger, you can only do what is practically possible, at the end of the day if they are determined, have come equipted, have targeted you specifically or are just plain lucky due to a moments carelessness (we're all human and have just...) and your pride and joy is gone forever, unless they're a complete muppet (we can only hope). I'd be keen to know the details of how the vehicle was taken as a lesson to us all/show officals/security, and if any security measures don't work/would have helped. I have to say, I'd be devestated, especially if I'd had the car for most, if not all my adult life and the emotional attachment that entails. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Most of the steering wheel, pedal or handbrake locks I've seen fitted to TRs can be removed in seconds, with pocket tools only. Check Thatcham if you wish to know what might actually prove useful, as opposed to mere ornamentation. http://www.thatcham.org/security/index.jsp?page=75 and the list http://www.thatcham.org/files/pdf/compliance.pdf Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigel 628 Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 The problem with fuel supply or pump cutoff devices is the car will go quite a way on what's already in the float chambers. Fair chance of recovery but the thief will abandon the car wherever it stops (roundabout, busy junction, motorway etc!). Plus it's sitting pretty for being towed away by anyone until you find it. I use a full disc type steering wheel lock as a better-than-nothing visual deterrent but if they really want it, it'll go. This car's special parts are worth more than the base vehicle! It would get stripped for parts, so sad to say, my ultimate solution is my agreed value insurance policy...... Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Millward Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I understand that a Tracker system can be 'screened' but surely they would have to keep this on until the entire car was stripped. Removing the battery won't stop it, they have their own...Fit one and hide it well. I have a dummy black box (small) with an LED on it which is wired to the car battery. It is sort of hidden and hopefully will fool them into thinking they found the alarm, we gotta be as sneaky as them. Cheers Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 What matter most is to mitigate the risk exposure. There are critical periods of the year (June-September) and critical locations (events, shows, etc...) where the risk exposure shots up and this is when and where the awareness level should be raised. Combining technical solutions with raised awareness in critical times and locations should bring the risk down to almost nil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Flashart Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Move to rural Canada! I leave the keys in mine most of the time and still no problems! I also don't and never even had a key for our house. Not sure if it even locks. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TorontoTim Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Move to rural Canada! I leave the keys in mine most of the time and still no problems! I also don't and never even had a key for our house. Not sure if it even locks. Paul Not just rural... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Smith Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Recenty read an article that was originally published in the FBHVC, written by a Poilce Officer, it stated that that 243 classic cars stolen this year, none had been recovered. I found that hard to believe, you thought at least one could be found. But it seems the reality is these cars are being stolen by "competent" gangs. Stef is right in avoiding high risk areas, such as public car parks at classic car shows, it appears quite a few are stolen in these circumstances. A colleague of my wife had her Reliant Kitten stolen, bit of a joke why would anyone want to steal it, probably same at he Police Stn, but a very observant Police Officer observed a few Reliants at a house, also aware of the stolen one whilst off duty, it turns out hers was there being used for spares for another. We all need to be very observant when buying spares and buying cars which maybeen cloned ie stolen but gained a new indentity. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Recenty read an article that was originally published in the FBHVC, written by a Poilce Officer, it stated that that 243 classic cars stolen this year, none had been recovered. I found that hard to believe, you thought at least one could be found. But it seems the reality is these cars are being stolen by "competent" gangs. Blame it on the increasing price of the US re-import. Most are taken by "professional enthusiasts" and stripped the same day. Best way is to trace the newly restored US re-import going on sale especially TR250 and the 6XXX TR5. Resale market is on the continent for the majority of them especially The Netherlands and....Poland Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Down Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 In view of the fact that many TR's are stolen at Car showsI I fitted a Pager as part of the security arrangements. With a claimed range of 1/2 mile this should cover most events. I checked mine at over 1/4 mile and it worked OK. I do not attend many shows now but a while back the pager triggered while I was away from the car and sure enough a suspicious looking guy was looking very closely at the car. He clocked me as I got closer and made a rapid exit. see: http://www.bertram-hill.co.uk/classic-car-security.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alfrom Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I rather like the idea of having a visual deterrent. If I think there is a real risk of theft, I use a D-lock and length of cable originally used to secure my rather expensive off-road bicycle and which I now use to link the steering wheel to the roll bar. On one occasion - and as much for a laugh as anything(!) - I secured the car to a lamp post using the cable. On reflection, I concluded that it was probably a sensible thing to do. However, as has already been said, thieves are not all stupid and if they really want the car, they'll find a way of taking it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Millward Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Paul, the Tracker system I use does that too. It will text you immediately on you mobile phone if anyone tampers with your TR. You can also decide if you want a silent alarm or a noisy one. I was sitting in the grounds of a riverside pub some time back and was watching a couple of blokes near my car. Having observed a few furtive looks I decided they were sus. I dialed into my alarm from my mobile and told it to sound the alarm for 2 seconds...they didn't hang around. Cheers Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 I posted this on another thread, but probably also appropriate in this more general discussion: Well designed, professional-looking stickers along the lines of "This vehicle is protected by smartwater, electronic immobiliser and GPS tracker device" would probably put off anyone planning to joyride, clone or break a car. But as it would be so cheap and easy to produce and would not generate a huge profit and ongoing busines, I can't see it happening. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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