Hello All,
I recently purchased a very clean Elky and it turns heads everywhere I go! I am really concerned about it getting stolen. Do you think that a brake pedal lock would be an effective theft deterent. I know for a "club" they can just break the steering wheel.
Also, what is the best alarn system and how much are they? What about hiding a kill switch somewhere. What are your thoughts on this?
RTT

RTT,
I have a 4th gen, no power locks so I just put a kill switch in, quick, cheap, easy. Good alarms aren't very expensive, just google car alarm. If you have power locks you could also end up with remote unlock for personal security, I've installed them before, not too difficult, just follow the directions. Keep it locked. If you can't park it in a garage at night, assuming you can add lighting around your parking spot, put a good, bright, motion detector light close to her. This stuff will give you something to do during the holidays!
Good Luck,
bill

I have LO/JACK
Use your lighter as a kill switch. nobody would think of it there. Push in the lighter and start the truck your key is a momentary switch.:secret::secret:

Ditto on the kill switch.Nice idea on using the cigarette lighter! If you've installed an electric fuel pump wire one in there also.I had a pedal lock installed in my '69 Z28 back in the day.Locked the clutch and brake pedals together.Bit of a pain to install/remove each time but no one took the car.Lost my '73 Trans Am 455SD to thieves back in '76.Just bought it and hadn't installed any protective measures yet.Been very diligent since.A pair of very large,protective Anatolian Sheperd doggies watch the property now...best alarm system available.

i should invest in one soon too.

but mine sleeps in garage every night, and i dont drive it anywhere i wouldnt feel safe with it. so it will be okay for now..

but i enjoy some of these ideas.:nanawrench::You_Rock:

I use a brake pedal lock, an alarm, and have lojack...and if you think no car thief would think to try your cig lighter as a kill switch then you clearly don't know anyone who was or were never a car thief, because that is the FIRST thing they try on any old car they steal that won't start, then they look under the seat for a switch, then under the dash, and then in the glove box. Old cars are easy to steal so you have to use several methods to make it as inconvienient as possible for them to steal it quickly and quietly. Nothing worse than getting your baby stolen so don't cheap out on your security, and by all means insure the hell out of it. -M

The vast majority of car theives are opportunists. So, if your car doesn't look like they can jack it in just a few seconds, then they'll move on. The brake lock (I have the AutoLok for mine) is good for that. Just skip the club. That thing is an absolute waste of time. A theif can simply use a bolt cutter to cut a notch in the steering wheel and take it off in seconds.

Now, for a desireable vehicle that might be stolen no matter what (by professionals after the vehicle itself), then a tracking system is definitely the way to go. I have Lojack in my SSR. Combine that with some other visible physical deterrent and you should be good.

How many people really give a rats arse over car alarms? They're so annoying that people tune them out.

I lived on the second floor in a front apt. In the evening i would sit out on the balcony and watch the tow trucks come into the parking lot. You say gone in 60 sec. they back-up one hooks up the front and the other puts the cradle on the back and all fours are off the ground. They would drop them off around the corner and come back for another. They came the same time every night for cars with no parking pass. Got mine once $180.00 to get it out. Not a bad racket. LO/JACK all the way!!!!!!:secret::secret:

I agree that a kill switch is a good, simple way to avoid theft. I ran mine to the distributor so the the car cranks but it will never start.
Any place except the ignition is a good place for the switch. Most thieves will look for the switch in the ignition area.
Unfortunately, the real pros (thieves) will get your car if they really want it, but the switch will deter the usual petty thieves and joy riders.

Good Luck :beer:
Chucklehead