TheSamba.com :: View topic - Security and Securing the Westy. What’s been done?

Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:59 pm

After reading about some posts about locking the rear seat, and ‘1621’(s) idea to get the glove box finally re-keyed, I started to research what other security options could be done. My search in the forum was limited. I only found these posts:

This one mostly points to tinted windows and owning a dog
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126737&highlight=security

This is a great post about locking the rear seat, which is my next project
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=389601

I did find another post about utilizing the 3” gap below the front seats; but mine is filled with electrical stuff for the bus right now. I’d Rather find another secure/hidden space. I figure, if somebody has done it, it would be on this forum.

Personally, I have gotten a Westy broken into twice. One time they ignored the laptop and expensive stuff and only raided the wet bar. Second time, they took the GPS unit along with sleeping bag/pillow, and did not take any “high quality” stereo stuff or other valuables in the vehicle. Like the first post, I found that limo tinting the windows helped a lot (no incidents since). I plan on finally a getting key made fore the glove box (does anyone have a pic of the original key design; just curious?). Second, I will install a lock on the rear bench seat. Third, I will install an alarm with pager that sends a text to your cell explaining that you are probably getting robbed so grab a bat.

Those are just the ideas for now. Since the Westy is stripped for the most part right now, I would love to build security devices for it. It would be great to create hidden compartments or some type of hidden small safe in the vehicle. Anyone have any good posts they found or ideas?

If this is redundant, I apologize. Just looking to secure the Westy and help other owners secure theirs.

Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:06 pm

It's really easy to put a cabinet lock on the closet too.

Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:41 pm

This is pretty nice and useful when leaving the van for awhile like for a hike

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11318327&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|3960|21248|21268&N=4001195&Mo=15&pos=3&No=9&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=21268&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10615-Cat21248&topnav=

Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:04 pm

I use one of these lock boxes for small important stuff (passports for border crossings, emergency cash, etc.) when on road trips. Very secure, and easily hidden. Lots of little (and big) hidden spots throughout the van that no one except a dismantler would ever find. Just spend some time poking around.

http://www.autoanything.com/driving-accessories/65A3693A0A0.aspx

Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:52 pm

You could just leave stuff under the drivers seat. I doubt anybody that doesn't know a vanagon knows about this spot. And if your van is like mine, the seats are a pita to slide forward.

also, You could leave stuff under the instrument cluster, because that piece of plastic comes out pretty easily. Not the most secure, but pretty well hidden.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 2:29 pm

Very cool idea for the back seat, I think this is going down in the projects list as a must do. I've been considering where I might locate a hardened lockbox as well for important travel documents, cash, and things of that nature. There are two concerns with something like this. First security, you don't want this kind of stuff to be able to walk away and hardening it to the vehicle makes sense. Second concern is camouflage; I've traveled in places where bribes are expected. A big fat lock box out in the open is an open invitation for an inspection. An idea I've recently concocted is to create a false propane tank with a locked door on the back.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:04 pm

I am thinking lock on the rear seat with lockbox under there. Put some valuables, however keep another safe of the goods in a small lock box under the seat to avoid the shake down from the Mexican Police :lol:

Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:23 pm

surfinwesty wrote: I am thinking lock on the rear seat with lockbox under there. Put some valuables, however keep another safe of the goods in a small lock box under the seat to avoid the shake down from the Mexican Police :lol:

Zeno is a Frankenfalia so nothing is really where it should be anyway. That said, I'd really like to avoid just such an encounter. Rocky Mountain Westy has this as an option as well

http://rockymountainwesty.com/VanagonWestfaliaStorageDrawer.htm

Pretty sweet! Add that to the locked rear bench and you're cookin with gas my friend.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:36 pm

Is your van a full westy, or does it have the seat directly behind the driver?
Like this;

I went to look at a van for sale a few years back, and the owner didn't even realize that this seat flips up with a ton of storage underneath. :shock:
Though, they she said she only had the van for a few months, but still.... wouldn't be very hard to put a lock on that.

Someone posted on here (with pics ) their step by step installing a safe directly behind the driver also, but I don't remember it having enough room to put a laptop in there.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=264933&highlight=safe+install

Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:51 pm

levi wrote: Is your van a full westy, or does it have the seat directly behind the driver?

I'm driving a 1983 Diesel-L which was essentially just like a GL in the gas engine for the same year. The PO had several vans, pulled some of the cabinets and rear seat from an rusty Westy and "installed" them in Zeno. I only wish I had a flip seat :lol:

Right now I'm in Phase One: Mechanical Restoration. The original 1.6l diesel needed a R&Red fuel pump, the wasserboxer tranny needed some TLC, and the asipiration will require some more attention. Not sure if I'm going to look for and install an oil intercooler. Even then engine box shows what a Frankenfalia this rig is. The turbo manifold and the pump are nice, but a huge departure from stock.

Phase Two: Interrior/Exterior will start when I've got it back from the shop and can spend some time with it. I plan on building/re-building the cabinets, water, stove, closet after I've treated the rust and re-painted. All white hardtops are so boring.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 5:07 pm

mthyer wrote: surfinwesty wrote: I am thinking lock on the rear seat with lockbox under there. Put some valuables, however keep another safe of the goods in a small lock box under the seat to avoid the shake down from the Mexican Police :lol:

Zeno is a Frankenfalia so nothing is really where it should be anyway. That said, I'd really like to avoid just such an encounter. Rocky Mountain Westy has this as an option as well

http://rockymountainwesty.com/VanagonWestfaliaStorageDrawer.htm

Pretty sweet! Add that to the locked rear bench and you're cookin with gas my friend.

This looks interesting, too bad it is out of stock at the moment:

http://rockymountainwesty.com/VanagonWestfaliaStorageDrawer.htm

Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:36 pm

levi wrote: Is your van a full westy, or does it have the seat directly behind the driver?

Full Westy with the interior all out....looking for spots. I like the safe drawer.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 7:18 pm

RMW drawer is killer. I use it all the time. Easy install. Nexit is the 1621 or moot point locking rear seat. you can never be too careful.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 7:54 pm

Has anyone done a kill switch or something of that type?

I heard (from on ex-car thief) that the best defense while letting your bus sit for long periods of time is to unplug the ECU or ECU Ground. That would give any would be thief or mechanic a hard time for sure (if you do not know where the ecu ground is you are screwed). Someone sent me a pic of the ground when having starting troubles and it still took me 15 minuets to find :oops:

However, I believe that 99% of thefts are wallet and quick grab attempts. I am just looking forward to a serious surf trip in about five months down to Mexico and Central America after college graduation. The only problem is the thief's down their are pretty crafty from what I hear (can't blame them, one laptop feeds the family for a year). Also, the cops are in on it half the time as well.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:11 pm

Some poster discussed a couple months ago modifying the cabinet above the rear seat/bed. Used to be the AC cabinet, I think. I gutted it and changed the front blower to be a hidden door, I think? So it looks like the standard AC vents but could be opened... Then inside that he had some sort of lockbox and a killswitch (or even two killswitches).
I think he was planning to live out of van, hence the more intensive efforts.

Myself, were I to do any such security mods, I'd first either lock the closet or rear cabinet. If I wanted real security, I'd do the under-front-seat lockboxes (like RMW).

I don't think I'd lock the back seat as I access that far too frequently!
KM

Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:47 pm

The best place is one that is not locked in clear sight. If a thief sees a lock they will think you have something valuable there. So I'd go for placing a lock box in a place that is not visible without removing something first. The idea of locking the rear seat or closet in my thinking only invites a crowbar. It keeps the honest people honest or the lazy thieves away.

A lock box in the bottom of the rear seat storage area with other 'stuff' piled on top would be good, or under one of the front seats with the carpet covering it is good too. If you do not have an auxiliary battery the battery box behind the drivers seat is excellent as well.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:49 pm

Here ya go: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=339728

I love my hidden compartment and kill switch.

Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:58 pm

I also made the bench seat lockable, and added another lockbox to the drivers side battery compartment (non westy so its empty). I just bent some sheetmetal and made a compartment with a hinged lid secured by two padlocks. Big enough to hold cash, passports, GPS, etc etc. And it gets covered up by the garbage can so its pretty secret. We went through a lot of checkpoints in mexico and never once did anyone discover it. ITs nice to have piece of mind that if someone breaks in, at least they wont get your most important/expensive stuff, especially in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country

Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:07 am

rfoubi wrote:

I like this one the best so far. Simple, cheap, and effective.

Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:55 am

There are alarms that emit a very loudnoise when tripped that no-one shy of stone deaf can stand.Just be sure u de-activate before opening a door and they dont shut off if u shut the door, have to be owner reset .