Anti Theft

[jafo]

Just looking for some ideas for anti theft. I understand using a hidden cutoff switch. Is there any new technology out there for this like remote cutoffs? Just looking for some ideas.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I use a hidden cut-off(spst toggle)that cuts the GND(-)to the coil.
The engine cranks-But, no start.
LG

 

[mriplaybass]

Low tech, but what about "The Club" steering wheel lock. pretty much impossible to remove.
Or, a cheaper alternative would be a "Protected by Smith and Wesson" sticker on both sides. (sorry, couldn't resist!)

 

[jafo]

I heard the clubs were easy to get around. They cut the steering wheel and pop it off.

I was looking at a keyed cut off but it's pretty large and noticable. I'd just like to be able to discretely cut it off in some way. Just looking for something out there I haven't heard of or thought of.

Sounding like it's going to be a switch right now.

 

[mriplaybass]

Problem with just installing a switch on the coil is that unless you have a way of locking the hood closed, all you need is a short piece of wire with alligator clips to hot wire the vehicle.
What about an electric fuel shut off valve that operates in the "normally closed" configuration. That way, when wired to the ignition wires in the steering column, the fuel is only on when the key is in the run or start position. Pretty hard for a thief to figure that out in just a minute or two. True, the vehicle will start, but the thief would be stopped dead in his tracks as soon as the carburetor bowl ran out of gas in a few hundred feet.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I heard the clubs were easy to get around. They cut the steering wheel and pop it off.

I saw a video showing it and how easy it is. The one I like is a cut off wired to the cigarette lighter. No one would ever know.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

99% of thieves will not think(AKA=stupid)about hav'n to 'jump' the coil GND lead. Like I said-The engine will crank, just no start.
This has saved my jeep twice, in the last 25+ yrs.
If you do the wiring right-You can blend it in with the OEM harness.
X2 on a hood lock.
I use a eyebolt attached to the hood, with a section cut out in the top of the grill housing, so I can attach a padlock through the grill slots.
LG

 

[HackFabrication]

Since my CJ has fuel injection, I have a switch that turns off the fuel pump. Switch is hidden (and in a secure location).

Not going to start, unless they're smart enough to jump pins in the OBD plug.

 

[gr8dain]

I think I am the only person who knows how to start my Scrambler. Other than my son, who I had to tell so he could take it to work one day. Being a stick shift helps in my area. No one knows how to drive one. But beyond that, you cant simply turn the key in mine and have it fire up.

Usually I only have to worry about people/kids rummaging through the CJ looking for valuables/cash, which they won’t find in the Jeep.

But the switch for the coil sounds like a good idea. And I guarantee you that no one in my area even knows what they are looking at if they open the hood of the Jeep. No one here is mechanically inclined to work on vehicles. I am definitely the red neck of my neighborhood, if not all of Ashburn, VA. Dang suburban folk.

 

[hagar]

Jeeps present challenges regarding anti-theft.
Several ways as already mentioned for anti-start.
You should think about the possibility of someone towing or dragging the Jeep off as well.

 

[jafo]

There are some good points and great ideas in here. Thanks. The ignition dead switch would be the easiest by far. If done right could be effective.

I also like the fuel cut off vavle idea too. It gives me a real good reason to look into a fuel injection system.

Good point about the towing aspect. I've considered that but haven't put any thought to a preventative for it. It would need to be something to prevent the vehicle from being able to roll.

Ha ha about no mechanically inclined neighbors. I'm in the same boat, but I'm more concerned with areas outside my neighborhood. Most my neighbors won't talk to me. Just the nice older lady across from me. The rest look at me kinda like I'm holding a sign they can't read or something.

 

[jp360cj]

Jeeps present challenges regarding anti-theft.
Several ways as already mentioned for anti-start.
You should think about the possibility of someone towing or dragging the Jeep off as well.

Twin stick & remove the interlock pills, cross shift the tcase (rear in high, front in low or vice versa). That will prevent the tcase from turning, even in 2wd. It's not full proof and all they would need to do is shift the tcase, but most aren't going to know anything about that. It's not full proof, but better than nothing and another excuse for an upgrade!

Downfall is it will put stress on the tcase and you risk breakage.

 

[Belizean]

i have a club and a hood lock, and if I'm going to be a way from my jeep long, a fake coil wire I can switch out and take the good one with me.

 

[WillyM]

I was going to say a "trunk monkey", but CJ's don't have a trunk for the monkey.

In WW2, the Jeep drivers would just take the coil wire with them when they parked it to prevent it from being "borrowed" by someone from another unit.

I had a battery disconnect under the hood of my old daily driver CJ5 for when parking in strange areas. It also really came in handy during the engine fire as the wiring harness melted and the starter kicked in. I also used one of those old Mr Gasket hood locks with the "coke machine" type key to keep the hood locked. Looked kind of hokey, but some of my "friends" were known to pull some really strange pranks to each other's vehicles. Like stuffing my heater box full of sardines.

 

[WillyM]

i have a club and a hood lock, and if I'm going to be a way from my jeep long, a fake coil wire I can switch out and take the good one with me.

A piece of vacuum hose works good for making a fake coil wire. Don't ask how I know this. But I ended up with a heater box full of sardines for my efforts.

 

[Posi]

If someone want your Jeep bad enough they will get it.
I have a battery cut off switch w/key, I can kill the battery and take the key with me.
My 71 came from the factory with an anti theft device....3 stick shift levers (soon to be 4 levers). Most thieves have no clue how to work 3 or 4 sticks.

 

[jafo]

I have to agree that if they want it bad enough, they'll get it one way or another. It's one of the reasons I never plan on doing a resto. Hopefully, it's beat up and rusty enough they just walk on by. That might be the best theft deterrent.

I did forget about the trunk money. Man love those videos.

The twin stick, which I'm in the process of having with this Transmission swap, is not a bad idea. Even just shifting into low would be effective.

 

[Torxhead]

On a Jeep club outing in the SoCal desert early in the morning. A visitor from below the southern border came by and found that one of the club members had left his keys in the CJ. He drove off with it but could not figure out how to shift it as it had a manual shift valve body in the automatic tranny. So he abandoned it and ran off.

 

[HackFabrication]

If someone want your Jeep bad enough they will get it.

^^^ This. All we can do is slow the process down, and make it a less likely target. Soft top CJ's are free game. Especially a CJ5 . Don't ever leave anything inside that is of value.

If someone steals mine, it's insured. Not for what I've got into it (don't ask...), but I'll still get a small check from AAA.

 

[yellow85cj]

MSD ignition has an extra wire that when grounded prevents the engine from firing. Will just crank.

Have mine hooked to a switch that when on has a little blinking red light on the dash (like alarms have) The light may cause someone to think twice, but it's mostly there to remind me to flip the switch so I can start up.