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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject: Theft proofing a Westy |
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Greetings, Short of locking up a Pit Bull in our Westys, what sort of theft measurments do you all take to assure your vehicles are in the same place tomorrow as it was when you parked it today?
I use one Auto Lock on my clutch and one Auto Lock on my brake.
For those of us who dont have a private garage what other ideas can you offer to keep our vehicles safe?
Happy and safe trails to all, |
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Beaker Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2005 Posts: 133 Location: Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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I just take solice in knowing that no-one would want to steal one
Oops, I forgot, I make my living investigating auto theft..... |
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scottcollins72 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Coquitlam B.C. Canada
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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My favorite.... Just place a switch in the upper part of your glovebox and disconnect the negative side of the coil and put the switch in line. Only trouble is you gotta remember to turn it back on. Done that a few too many times. |
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lovedavdubs Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2004 Posts: 1597 Location: New York, NY.
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Pull the roter off the dizzy and put it in your glove box _________________ 82 Air-cooled Westy (Lola)...My other vehicle is a subway. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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Knowing the my Westy was a theft recovery proves that there are idiots everywhere. Well it did vanish from San Fransisco, so that should be enough to complete the details.
The best things to do are the not so obvious. Don't leave stuff in plain sight. Add switches. Lo-Jack helps. Loud noises only annoy people and are ignored for the most part. Make it so you can not easily make the van move. If you do that sort of stuff, either they don't try or they give up.
In one case the dingdongs broke their tool off in the ignition lock. Thankfully, I knew how to fix that. What a pain.... _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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jeremysmithatshawdotca Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2002 Posts: 2530 Location: Edmonton, AB
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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I vote for the hidden switch in the line to the coil, but also use something obvious, like a club, just to perhaps discourage the idiots from breaking something in the attempt! If there's a visible deterrent, then hopefully they'll move on to something that looks easier.
Jeremy |
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pocvw Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2004 Posts: 338
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, these things are so ugly that they are their own theft deterrents.
Just a joke man!! _________________ Life is a garden - dig it!
1980 VW Westfalia |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:14 am Post subject: |
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Good replys, One of the most popular vehicles to steal in the Bay Area is the Vanagon and thats directly from SFPD. The other van type vehicle is ........I forgot the name of it, but its the Japanese model that is flat on the back and reeeeeely pointed on the front.
The device thats used to steal these vehicles is a TowTruck!!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone heard of a removeable steering wheel for a Vanagon? |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 242 Location: Sunny AZ
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:02 am Post subject: vanagon theft in ca |
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I'm disappointed to be reading these posts. I've had my 85 westy for about 8 months now. I was looking forward to taking it to Northern and Southern Cal. I was thinking, wow, won't have to worry about this getting stolen. I was always paranoid with my 56.
Guess, it's time to take the steering wheel club and the brake club. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:19 am Post subject: |
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RCB wrote: |
Good replys, One of the most popular vehicles to steal in the Bay Area is the Vanagon and thats directly from SFPD. The other van type vehicle is ........I forgot the name of it, but its the Japanese model that is flat on the back and reeeeeely pointed on the front.
The device thats used to steal these vehicles is a TowTruck!!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone heard of a removeable steering wheel for a Vanagon? |
I wonder what they do with the Vanagons? We are sure some druggie had ours. I found all sorts of weird stuff in there which all ended up in the trash including the stash I found. Here is what it looked like a few days after recovery: http://www.walaroo.com/van _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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lovedavdubs Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2004 Posts: 1597 Location: New York, NY.
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:41 am Post subject: |
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RCB wrote: |
Good replys, One of the most popular vehicles to steal in the Bay Area is the Vanagon and thats directly from SFPD.
The device thats used to steal these vehicles is a TowTruck!!!!!!!!!!! |
Damn . Chain the axle to a light post? _________________ 82 Air-cooled Westy (Lola)...My other vehicle is a subway. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:24 am Post subject: |
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Can you say: Lo-Jack.... _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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DanJReed Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Riverton NJ
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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Pull the ECM/Fuel pump fuse out of the dash!!!
Easy and quick!! _________________ -Dan
(87 Westy Vanagon, 98 Jetta GLS 2.0, 95 Golf Sport) |
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lilweasel Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2005 Posts: 285 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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When I go camping and I'm being paranoid- I disconnect the ECU wire (white) that goes into the ECU from the coil (I think it's the positive for the ECU) and I put it on the other side of the coil. No way someone would figure that one out! It stumped me for a couple days last time I took my engine out! |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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I think that a group of investors would make a killing if they hooked up with a designer who could design and produce a user friendly 'Boot" for everyday folks who would want to secure their vehicles.
The"Boots" you see around here are attached by the Parking Department ,to vehicles whos owhers have outstanding parking tickets.
Once they "Boot"you ,you cant move the vehicle at all until you pay your fines to the City.
Oh.... I think you have to pay the "Booting Department"as well.
"Welcome to the machine" |
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benmac Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2005 Posts: 120
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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hahah. to be honest with you. i never lock my doors, usualy. never locked at my house or anythign like that. i just figured there is nothing in there thjat nobody would want. haha oh well |
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sc-surfer Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2005 Posts: 865 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Funny someone should mention the boot. I got an email ad just the other day advertising a consumer version of the boot. Can't say where to get them as I trashed the email, but they are out there. I guess that would work pretty well. Could still be stolen with a flatbed wrecker though. _________________ '89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * * |
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Mulcheese Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Maple Grove, Mn
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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I guess this is one of the reasons we live where we do. The only thing that I worry about is if I left the windows down, in case it rains. Now that it's winter alot of people leave there cars running when they go in the stores. Obviosly there is that chance that some kid will want to take a joyride but for the most part its pretty secure. The down side is that I dont have anyone within 175 miles that knows anything about these vans, if I need assitance in working on it. Haven't yet!!! _________________ 82 Westy: Air is cool! |
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AMERI-SWISS Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 132 Location: Zurich, Switzerland
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:14 am Post subject: |
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I thought I would refresh this thread as the snow is melting and its almost time to pull Herby out of hibernation, Plus Im moving to Zürich next month and per capita is the car theft capital of the world with all the 100,000 dollar cars just laying around here its a very atractive place for a professional car thief as you can be in eastern europe before the police finish the paper work. I am scared because I hear buses get stolen here as well. Im thinking of the switch, the boot and a low jack as well, from what I hear these guys are pros, a club is just a three second delay. I just hope I dont have to introduce someone to my Louisville F#cking Slugger, American style Baby. _________________ I guess that makes me a Swissicain |
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CF Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2005 Posts: 802
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:30 am Post subject: |
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don't restore it.................lol
locks are made for honest people
if they want it they will get it.
i work is newark nj ,most auto theft in the entire US
low jack and on star are the only things that only make them secound guess if it is worth it.
i was working at a club on night and a customer came back to report his car stolen.all they left was a note on the club saying that it slowed them down by 2 sec. |
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