Any theft deterrents to thwart OE lock picking and jiggling?

[jimf909]

Is there a way to improve security of the OEM door and ignition locks, e.g. will replacing the 35 year old worn lock cores thwart picking/jiggling or should we just assume the thief will easily get past the OEM locks? (Locks don't deter crooks, they just keep honest people honest.)

It seems that jiggle keys and/or lock picking are often used to enter locked Vanagons and turn the ignition switch which starts the van and releases the steering lock.

Evidence of this assumption:
- Vanagons are often reported to be found w/out any damage to the steering lock even though the thief did not have the key to the van.
- Kirk (owner of Northwesty) had his Syncro stolen out of his parking lot after the thief picked or jiggled the door key (it took the thief about 10 seconds to pick the lock):
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=656416

Link


This is NOT about welding/bolting additional locks to the van, it's about improving security of the oem locks (if that's possible).
https://www.drivenachodrive.com/2011/12/nacho-the-driving-fortress/

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- Jim

[dobryan]

I have heard where a worn Vanagon key can open many other Vanagons with worn tumblers.

I would think that replacing an old ignition tumbler with a new one would stop at least that method.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

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The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[jimf909]

I just stopped by my local locksmith and showed him the video. He basically said to not bother doing anything with the lock cores because this thief probably had plenty of tools in the backpack to get in if picking the locks didn't work.

This isn't entirely satisfying because I imagine that some of these car thieves are limited to jiggle keys but it's probably safe to say that relying on the ignition/steering lock to keep a thief from driving the van away is entirely inadequate because it can be easily defeated, hence the kill switches.
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- Jim

[Howesight]

Hi Dave and others:

Since our Westy is a garage queen, we have been less invested in security than we should be. But regarding the few Vanagons I have known about or seen stolen in these parts, the usual theft or joyride method, after gaining entry using the wing windows, is to use a slide hammer with a screw attachment to pull out the ignition lock cylinder and then use a flat blade screwdriver to operate the ignition switch. I personally saw this on two Vanagons that I purchased for parts in years past.

The key jiggling is not a reliable theft or break-in method. I can attest to this based on one event of locking myself and Ms. Howesight out of the Westy on a road trip. She had a spare key, but from the wrong van. Much jiggling (the key, not her) produced no results.

An hour or so later, my trusty coat-hanger wire got us into the Westy (on the 50th or so attempt) where I had left the keys in the ignition.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[outcaststudios]

where i used to live my building got broken into. firt they just smashed the front window and took items from the front room. (old store front) they then came back a night later and tried to climb through the second story window ,as i had covered the entire front with 3/4 ply. the window fell out, landed on top of the theif. then a few night later they came back and forced open the second floor window, cut themselves really bad and left a huge trail of blood in the building, where they had gathered up all of my extension cords. i happened to have a bunch from a job. so i decided to go on a total rampage. i bought metal siding, built reinforced walls, i covered every single window in the building with 3/4 plywood, backed with and fasted to welded metal frames that were lag bolted into the frames of the windows. i built an entire new section of roof that covered over an area on the third floor with windows. i laid in wait with a shotgun that night but they didnt come. after a few more days i started going home at night. next day i came back and they had cut with a power saw the entire roof section out about 3x3 foot. dropped it into the building and lowered themselves in. so i went berserk on the sheathing and fixed the roof, that took about two days. that time they found all the copper i had in the basement in buckets and took all of it. about three days later they straight up took a gasoline powered saw and cut the cement block out , perfectly between the giant racks of wood and slabs of marble i had leaning up, and took more stuff. the point is that theifs are not deterred by anything, if they want your car,its gone. period. outside of digital trackers , there isnt much that can be done. i am a firm believer in booby traps though...
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'88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2573791

[Chugach]

not really, if the thief has one of these!

[Klister]

Jeesh - just add an ignition or fuel pump kill switch

[Xevin]

Link


Kill switch or remove a cable or two if it’s going to sit for awhile.
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Keep on Busin'

[16CVs]

if its original it would be (OE) Original Equipment not (OEM), but I digress. I would think that having the cylinders rebuilt with new Wards that are not worn out and loose might make them less easy to jiggle an old non matching key.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Abscate]

What do you do with the boobys after you trap them ?
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.ssS!

[alaskadan]

I think the used to club boobys.

[Captain Pike]

Part of my job is to pick locks. Replacing he cores wont do shit.
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LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current.......................

[11BC2]

https://www.burglarbomb.com/products/

[RoryGirl]

Link



Link

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1991 Double door pop top conversion

[MsTaboo]

That video about jiggle keys makes me want to puke. :2gunfire: :snipersmile: and :fist:
You should have to be a register locksmith to buy and own such things.
But I guess if you can watch videos about how to make bombs, why not?
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[jimf909]

[dobryan]

[Captain Pike]

With the push start and remote fob I have no ignition switch. No wires on the column, no lock to pick/short.
Wires all moved to deep in the dash.
If you dont have the fob the button does nothing. Can be set to setoff an alarm.
_________________
LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current.......................

[jimf909]

[RoryGirl]