Theft Deterrent. Discuss

[Viking Jeeper]

So what's the argument? You seem to be nit picking at nothing. The OP posted a survey as to opinions on visible theft deterrents like a wheel lock/Club. I responded, as did others. The point being, the wheel lock/Club will not prevent theft.

Let's leave this here, as there is no point in clogging this thread up with nonsense.

The club certainly HAS prevented theft.

Leave it at that.

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[dpike]

i think modern vehicles are beyond casual thieves and it's at the point if they want your vehicle they're going to take it, car thieves aren't the dipshit opportunistic crook anymore. i'd say bone stock are probably the most desirable, easiest to ship and more easily comply or can be adapted to foreign mv regs. modified vehicles, lifted, biggers tires, swapped parts... become a sales or export liability. it doesn't matter which jeep you would steal, it matters which jeep is the cleanest to unload.

 

[Opus]

While there are smarter and better organized thieves out there who can likely steal your Jeep regardless of what you do... the point of a deterrent is to:

1.) Make your Jeep a little harder to steal (and therefore less tempting) than the next.
2.) Slow down their work a little to allow a better chance for somebody to see what they're doing an alert authorities.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

Naked Wrangler with a noticeable/obvious physical steering wheel lock. (The Club, a bike chain, etc.)
What are your opinions?

It will take 20 minutes to cut through the club. It takes less than 5 minutes to cut through the steering wheel with a hacksaw. It takes 15 seconds to drill the barrel lock on the club with a battery drill and titanium drill bit.


A determined thief will take the vehicle no matter what you do. The trick is to make yours look like more of a challenge than the car sitting next to it.

COPY AND PASTE FROM AN ARTICLE:

The key is to deter theft by making your car seem like more trouble than it is worth.

Practice Smart Parking
Simple habits can make a big difference. Never leave your unattended vehicle unlocked or running, and try to park in busy, well-lit areas. “The overwhelming majority of vehicle thefts and burglaries are a result of unlocked vehicle doors,” says Crystal Clark, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Double-check that you have the key or fob with you, and stow valuables out of sight to discourage smash-and-grab thefts.
Add a Lock and an Alarm System
Police say visible steering wheel locks, such as The Club and Disklok, work well as deterrents, and adding an aftermarket alarm system, which often includes a visible blinking red light, can be a good idea for older vehicles without a built-in system.
Auto security company Voxx Electronics Corp. says an alarm usually costs $300 to $700, plus $200 to $600 for professional installation, depending on features and the system. An alarm can also be added to a new car.
Install Lights at Home
Lighting can be an effective theft deterrent, especially if you park in your driveway, says Captain Martin Rodriguez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He recommends motion detection lights, which can startle a would-be thief and alert those at home.
Doorbell cameras, such as Google Nest Hello and Ring, can help police identify suspects. Also remember to store keys in the house. Never leave them in the car or garage.
Track Your Car
Aftermarket tracking systems won’t prevent theft, but they can help find your car after the fact. Some basic GPS devices plug into your vehicle’s computer port, but they can also be easily removed. More complex, integrated systems, such as LoJack, require professional installation. Some recent car models provide tracking through subscription-based services. For example, GM’s OnStar offers a plan that costs $30 per month with stolen vehicle assistance.

 

[calemasters]

The JL has several factory electronic and mechanical theft deterrent devices. And yet, they are so easily and abundantly stolen.

 

[Ten North Prez]

Two Words... Vehicle Tracker. Make it a game. You find the tracker before I find you. I'm Joking... kind of.

As someone who has had stuff stolen in the past I can say this, it isn't that they took it as we all like the idea that we have desirable items. It's the thought that for all you spent, and all that you modified, and all the work you have done, it would've taken very little money and almost zero time to know where your stuff is at the moment you realize it is missing and have a shot at getting it back. Trust me, the thing that will haunt you is not that it's gone. It's that they got away with it and you could have easily stopped that from being the case.

I know the Jeep app tracks my vehicle but I would assume whomever would take it knows that too. Never hurts to have back-up.

 

[Shibadog]

Shame on you calling them thieves-they are just financial depressed shoppers working in the used car market?. Seriously though, if they want it they’ll get it. Things like the club and similar w may cause them to choose an easier target, but if your rig is what they’ve got an order for (or catches their eye) it’s gone. Parking in a well lit area, using a kill switch, etc. may help but no guarantees. A LoJack may help you get it back (but it may be trashed. Only sure solution would be a guard and a 12 gauge?

 

[Valpo Jeep]

Some good news about car theft:

Jeep Wrangler does not make the top 15 in America for thefts.

https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/most-stolen-cars/#most-stolen-cars-from-2010-2020

 

[Ten North Prez]

Another high percentage anti-theft device...

 

[swampflyer]

i think modern vehicles are beyond casual thieves and it's at the point if they want your vehicle they're going to take it, car thieves aren't the dipshit opportunistic crook anymore. i'd say bone stock are probably the most desirable, easiest to ship and more easily comply or can be adapted to foreign mv regs. modified vehicles, lifted, biggers tires, swapped parts... become a sales or export liability. it doesn't matter which jeep you would steal, it matters which jeep is the cleanest to unload.

 

[swampflyer]

Fight fire with fire.

 

[ghorsepower]

Many good tips in here but I will add that after doing IT/Electronic/Physical security as my day job for 20+ years. I will say this...

Apply as much security as you can afford.
Layers work.
Nothing is 100% safe.
Know YOUR threat model.

If you don't even try to protect what you have someone will take it. The easier it is to take the more other folks will take it. Do as much as you can afford. I cant stress this enough. And by afford i mean not only money, but time, hassle and effort to use and enjoy the vehicle. In the end how much is it worth to you to protect and how much convenience are you willing to sacrifice?

The barriers I put in place on my Jeep are not the same that I put in place on my Super Stock.

Aka my threat model is not your threat model...

 

[Jeepiner]

I agree with 2 things:
• Nothing will stop a determined thief.
• But, any and all deterrents will make them second guess and move onto easier targets if available.

For the most part, just keep your vehicle out of sketchy areas and you'll be fine.

One anecdote I can provide, unrelated to thievery... Ever since installing my rather obtrusive prerunner 'bull' bar, I've noticed the squirrely drivers are a lot less likely to cut me off in traffic. Does it still happen with idiots who love to take chances? Yes, but a whole lot less often now! Visual deterrents work, mostly.

 

[JPAloha]

Something is better than nothing.
I have an old, club style lock from the UK somewhere around, I may dig it out and use it when we’re on a trip through areas we’re not familiar with. I have activated the hood pins to trigger the horn if lifted while locked and will be setting up the PIN feature on the Tazer also.
Our JL’s are both garaged with a camera pointing right at them and a sensor telling us if someone opened or closed the garage door.

 

[ArcadeTracks]

I'm thinking a pile of fake vomit on a seat might also be a deterrent ...

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