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doubravsky
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2014
Posts: 133
Location: Riverside, CA
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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:18 pm Post subject: Security- anti-theft |
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| Hi all.... new member just starting to look for a Manx style buggy to purchase. My question- after having a few VW bugs stolen 20-30 years ago... what do you do to protect your buggy from theft? Mine would live on my driveway.... |
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truckdude
Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2014
Posts: 148
Location: Beverly Hills baybee
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20379
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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.357 Magnum.... Actually other than disabling ignition & fuel, not much, alarm it and chain it to a pole.... If they want it, they will get it.... Best to keep it inside out of sight...
Most anti-theft devices will just slow them down about 10-15 seconds....
In Riverside CA I will give it 5 nights....
Dale
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BL3Manx
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006
Posts: 6767
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Berg sells a locking shifter. There are also hidden battery switches. I've also used a big chain and padlock threaded through the spokes of a Jackman wheel and around the suspension arm. |
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herkster
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 428
Location: Boca Raton, FL
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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 6:54 am Post subject: |
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Alarm with 2-way fob (notifies you if the alarm is going off) might work. I've used them with proximity/ motion detectors before and you can tune them such that you won't hear a peep until someone actually gets in the car. You could even put a second one in the engine bay to deter unwanted tinkering. Pair that with an immobilizer relay and you'll certainly make it harder to steal.
If you're pretty brave, you can buy all the bits from Amazon and bolt them to the buggy. The wiring isn't un-complicated, but you'll manage.
That said.... (and the reason I haven't gone this route on the buggy) I think it might sort of defeat the point. I know for a fact people are poking, prodding, taking selfies, and otherwise molesting my buggy while I am in buying a gallon of milk. I've watched it happen. And that OK. I think that is part of what the buggy is all about. |
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doubravsky
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2014
Posts: 133
Location: Riverside, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:03 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks all for the replies.... appreciate the info and options! |
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5481
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:34 am Post subject: |
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My suggestion is to wire the start position of the ignition switch to the horn and use a hidden button to crank the engine. If you are within earshot you will get a warning if someone tries to hot wire the car.
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andygere
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2014
Posts: 600
Location: Central Coast, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:37 am Post subject: |
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| Get a stated-value insurance policy, and do all the stuff above. |
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Wetstuff
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2010
Posts: 700
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:20 am Post subject: |
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How about a removable steering wheel?
Jim
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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Slightly off topic - So I use my buggy pretty much as a car. I take it to work, grocery shopping, and to dinner. Usually it is unattended for no more than an hour or so, but not always in the safest areas (ie downtown).
I have long wondered what the theft rate on these is. Like... is it only a matter of time before I come out to an empty parking space or a big hole where my engine used to be? Or am I just being paranoid? (To be fair, I am like this with all my cars, not just the one without a roof/doors/locks)
Slightly on topic -Oh! And you could probably pull the fuse going to the ignition. I suspect that would be pretty hard to detect. If you wanted to be really sneaky you could even replace it with a burnt fuse so it looked ok from the outside. |
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scarter302
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 19
Location: Boxboro, MA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:07 am Post subject: |
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| I had a Grant removable wheel on my Mustang (wasn't stolen though the stereo was), I'd look into easy routes like ignition kill switch / battery shutoff switch. someone won't want to hunt around to find why it won't start. |
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doubravsky
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2014
Posts: 133
Location: Riverside, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:46 am Post subject: |
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| I like the removable steering wheel idea! I was thinking hidden kill switch somewhere... just worried that everything is pretty exposed... |
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karu
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008
Posts: 229
Location: Cross Lanes, WV
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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When I build (OK! if and when I build) my buggy I am planning on using a steering wheel lock. While a determined thief with enough time can defeat any device, a steering wheel lock will provide a clear visual deterrent to any would-be thief.
In addition, it will help if you add something like a hidden kill switch too. |
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joescoolcustoms
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006
Posts: 9054
Location: West By God Virginia
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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I use several devices to help deter theft.
two separate hidden kill switches and one with a removable key.
Removable steering wheel
I also cable lock it. When we were on the ECVW trip, I would either cable it to another buggy, or cable it through the rear wheel, through the trailing arm and around the tree/nerf bars on the side of the buggy.
I also have 2 other devices that only my wife knows about.
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5481
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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My favorite ignition kill switch requires a fused ignition circuit (stock VW wiring has an unfused ignition circuit.) The kill switch is installed between the fuse and the coil. The other end of the switch goes to ground. If the switch isn't turned off the fuse will blow. That means the potential theif has to find the kill switch and replace the fuse to start the engine.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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VOLKSWAGNUT
Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007
Posts: 11056
Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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Pull the rotor button is a quick and dirty one.. the chances a non VW thief has a VW rotor button in their pocket is slim...
Fuel cut off...
Both still can be pushed...
Hidden master kill switch is pretty much a common one.. easily bypassed for the thief.
Steering and shifter locks... can still be roll backed away... good deterrents.
A steel fiber cable locked through a wheel and around the suspension to a solid structure is decent... It should make a thief move on.... as it takes time to naw through it, unless they are carrying a Hurst tool or concrete saw.. hopefully somebody would notice that.. 
Alarms.... haha.,.. joke..
All the above... maybe...
Think like a low life and do the best you can...
Bottom line.. insure the hell out of it.. take precautions... but dont be paranoid.... it ruins the fun of it..
My biggest issue and concern is not the whole car.. but whats inside exposed that can be snatched... Radios, Cb's, tools, clothes, etc...
Think about it... an engine can be dropped in less than 5 minutes..
Unless you sit around and watch your car... it is what it is..
I'm with Dale M.... if someone wants it or whats inside....... its as good as gone..
This post is assuming everyone who cruises here.. is honest...
That said.... give all the secrets away.... and its not such a secret..
.
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aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:09 am Post subject: |
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| VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: |
| I'm with Dale M.... if someone wants it or whats inside....... its as good as gone.. |
+1 on that.
Another note on alarms though: 2-way and a motion sensor is the way to go if you want to go that route. I am also a big fan of the tilt sensors, which are actually really cool. Even on the "low sensitivity" setting I couldn't get any wheel off the ground without the thing freaking out. At least gives you a warning if someone has eyes on your rims, engine, or is trying to tow. On my old Scout I had a tilt, glass break, motion, hood switch, shock sensor, and battery backup installed. Gave me some peace of mind anyway.
I agree that alarms aren't much of a deterrent in real life. They can be bypassed and will almost certainly be ignored by passers by. It is all about making the process not worth it for a prospective thief. As an added precaution, I added a high dB piezo siren in the cab of the Scout. When the alarm was going off it was so loud it was a little disorienting. Makes you not want to be anywhere near it.
Also, adding an alarm will make a COMPLETE MESS of your wiring. Alarm systems are VERY invasive. Not as bad on a buggy, but if you give them everything I want, it will be in your lighting, battery, and ignition at a minimum. Plus all the wires to the sensors.
Funny story though: When my Buggy broke down in the Target parking lot I spent a good 30 min hotwiring it, thinking the problem was the ignition switch. Plenty of people stared, but no one called the cops.  |
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VOLKSWAGNUT
Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007
Posts: 11056
Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:17 am Post subject: |
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| AkioOhtori wrote: |
They can be bypassed and will almost certainly be ignored by passers by.
Funny story though: When my Buggy broke down in the Target parking lot I spent a good 30 min hotwiring it, thinking the problem was the ignition switch. Plenty of people stared, but no one called the cops. |
^ Exactly...... nobody wants to get involved... I 've even witnessed a car being roll backed away with alarm and horn blaring...
I only know of 1 guy (me) that asked the driver where the owner was....Most didnt even mis a beat on thier phone as it rolled away.. 
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited |
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truckdude
Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2014
Posts: 148
Location: Beverly Hills baybee
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:30 am Post subject: |
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| A car cover will do a lot to keep prying eyes off of it. |
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