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depps74 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2020 Posts: 157
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:47 pm Post subject: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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Just wondering since they have such value now, we live in brooklyn. Wondering if low jack is necessary or maybe just a J bar? Alarms do very little in the city, but there are some that wont let the car start. Wondering what the community consensus is on this.
Best safety measures to prevent theft in a cities? |
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maco70 Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2011 Posts: 456 Location: Montréal, Québec
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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On my side, I installed an hide kill-switch, which jump the ground wire of the fuel pump.
Will never start, unless the switch would be discovered. _________________ Martin from Montréal
1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior) |
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space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 669
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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fuel pump disconnect seems the best route
im running a 2.5 subi and the disconnect is simple and unless the thief is a samba member i dont suspect he, or she, would know what to look for (quickly enough)
Last edited by space on Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7893 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 9:21 pm Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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Hidden kill switch for the fuel pump or ignition system.
For good measure, I added this to each front window:
Honda Part #39885-S5A-A11
A lot of folks have also added GPS tracking.
For more detailed info, go to https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6236040#6236040 and scroll down "Theft & Theft-proofing". _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 11:16 pm Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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a non-operating engine seems to work,
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vwhammer Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2006 Posts: 998 Location: Boulder CO.
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 11:26 pm Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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These threads come up a lot and the hidden kill switch seems to be the hot ticket but what if you took it further.
What if you rigged it up so if someone tried to start the car without the hidden switch flipped it would make all sorts of noise that would alert you to put yur GD pants on and go beat the perps?
I can't think of a better way to spend an early morning after a night of drankin' but that's just the lawless, self helper in me I spose. |
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khughes Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2013 Posts: 736 Location: Phoenix AZ
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 11:33 pm Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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danfromsyr wrote: |
a non-operating engine seems to work,
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Pet Grizzly. Or Trunk-Monkey... _________________ '86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin) |
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beach_creature Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2014 Posts: 532
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:37 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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This is what I did.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=730108
Works great if your van is in WiFi range. _________________ 84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22568 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 5:20 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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danfromsyr wrote: |
a non-operating engine seems to work,
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I think OP is looking for add ons,not standard features. _________________ .ssS! |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16474 Location: Brookeville, MD
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2017 Posts: 1965 Location: WV
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:29 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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"Defense In Depth"
Kinda like having multiple "doors" to get through, each with its own unique 'key' to unlock it.
If a joyrider/common thief has eyed your Van, there are things you can do to make it difficult to the point that he/she will give up and walk away.
If your Van has been marked by a professional(s)- you aren't going to stop him/her/them. You can only hope to slow them down or recover the vehicle after it has been stolen.
Professionals have done their homework and know your car (perhaps better than you do) and know where the most common 'anti-theft' measures are done. They also bring common spare parts (coils, spark plug wires, distributor rotors, etc.) They can and have ID'd your van by year, because its what a 'customer' wants. Even if your van doesn't move under it's own power, they may even have a flat bed/tow vehicle to mitigate that possibility.
Therefore, Defense In Depth is necessary.
Suggested levels:
-Easy- Something quick and simple for going into the grocery store. Will only prevent petty theives and/or 'crimes of opportunity'. This can be as simple as locking your doors.
-inconvenience- Still quick, but a bit more complex. For 'extended' parking times (such as at work). Causes approx 1-2 minute delays in theft. Requires basic troubleshooting to circumvent. Deters most petty thieves. Professionals will snicker at this level of security.
-Difficult- For 'overnight' or 'multi-day' parking situations or situations in suspect locales. Will require getting out of the driver's seat and having specific knowledge to the car. Completely thwarts petty thieves. Will delay a professional by 5-10 minutes.
-Advanced- Purposeful and complex 'faults'. Multiple systems require attention to move the car under its own power. Petty thieves would abandon the attempted theft. Professionals will be delayed by 20 minutes at most.
-Expert- For the worst of situations or for maximum security. These are not subtle. Completely immobilizes the vehicle. Requires towing equipment to circumvent. Makes the car a 2 ton boulder. Parking boots are an example.
Recovery- When all fails, this is a silent, secure, and stealthy method which will allow you to find the stolen vehicle. GPS trackers, LowJack, or a smartphone with a 'family member finder' all would work. This is to assist the authorities in their search and recovery of your vehicle.
The best theft protection for your Van is the one that you don't disclose to anyone but those who are trusted and will be driving the vehicle regularly.
Remember that knowledge is part of your security- like a combination to a safe- decide what security measures to take and then only tell those who 'need to know'. _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7893 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:43 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW wrote: |
Professionals have done their homework and know your car... |
The vast majority of Vanagons are stolen by drug addicts as crimes of opportunity, not by professional thieves. The only thing they know, probably via word of mouth in their "community", is that Vanagons are easy to bust into and drive off with. So, take precautions to prevent them from wanting to break in and, if they do, being able to drive off with your prized possession. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 10:05 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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in crazy california, the biggest threat is smash and grab theft, your window is smashed and anything that appears might be valuable is taken. Thus hide anything that might contain something of value.
the mass increase in vehicle smash and grab thefts is in large part do to the authorities refusing to prosecute these crimes, in their wisdom, they have made theft of under 950 bucks a misdemeanor, much like a traffic ticket. add to that the hoards of drugged out homeless bums, (which are now a protected species out here) and you have a recipe for a crime wave.
so make sure there are no bags purses, packs and such disable thru the windows. even a cell phone charger is enough to entice the bums to smash and grab.
you also dont want them breaking in and sleeping in your van, doing meth, and defecating inside your van. _________________ Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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the joker Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2006 Posts: 1287
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 10:27 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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Bottom line , kill switch to electrical system/fuel systems, park in smart locations ? , don't leave "good stuff" on display, draw the curtains, put up your front curtain, maybe the creep will think your in there sleeping with your 357 mag on your side. |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6798 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 10:30 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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Think we need a "skunk spray" or something equally foul to start letting go the moment they open a door. _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Marshj Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2017 Posts: 268 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 10:41 am Post subject: Re: What is best theft protection for a Vanagon? |
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Dave,
I’ll show you some things I do when I park on the streets in Jersey City that are pretty quick. ( take 2-3 minutes ) to deter opportunity theft if I’m leaving it overnight. Disables spark and fuel both.. |
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