[GTO]

The game has moved on since we wrote the last such thread in 2010. Technology has changed the kind of anti-theft measures built into cars from the factory, as well as options available in the after-market.

Thieves have gotten smarter too. My Thar is a soft-top and hence, very easy to flick. As we all know, thieves have workarounds to Mahindra's OEM immobiliser. While our home parking is safe, we go out a lot & the vehicle is frequently parked on public roads or in public lots.

What are the best anti-theft options today for an open Jeep? I am seeing steering locks, gear locks, pedal locks, wheel clamps, GPS trackers, hidden immobilizers and what not!

Any expert advice? Thanks. If possible, do also share brand names & store links for easy ordering.

[kkSolo]

I'm paranoid about leaving cars in the open. My approach to this might not be practical for short term parking, but more like when parking overnight, or over an extended period. 1) Fuse removal, ain't nobody moving the car unless they're carrying spares and have the fuse diagram to see whats missing. Im not sure about the Thar, but, is there a secondary fuse box thats accessible from under the dash or is the entire fuse box under the bonnet? 2) Very crude method but I use a heavy duty chains to lock the pedals. You'd have to use a chain cutter that too in a constricted footwell in multiple places to move the pedals and therefore the car.


These are very crude methods and if anyone have any inputs on these approaches or anything im overlooking i'd be happy to hear it out, Another point is that I believe any security approach needs to be customized, so that no one is really aware of what you've done to the car.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by kkSolo

My approach to this might not be practical for short term parking

Thanks! But for long-term parking, I'm all set. It's in our own building where the gates are kept locked and there is a security guard.

Solutions I'm looking for are short-term parking. Say, parking on the Colaba Causeway, in a Bandra bylane or near the Dadar station. Basically, how to keep the vehicle more secure in public parking.

[revvharder]

You can always install a hidden kill switch so that even in case someone breaks in they will have to leave. Here is a video on it.

We have been using Gear locks for more than a decade but fortunately haven't faced any such instance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUhX...annel=ChrisFix

[Kosfactor]

Since my soft top Jeep has no lock to speak of, I use a short but heavy steel chain and an equally heavy padlock , without removing this it's difficult to sit in the driver's seat let alone move the steering wheel.

A fabric sleeve over it would make the whole thing look neat and welding one end of it to the vehicle floor would make it even more secure.

I use this daily even inside our CCTV equipped parking lot, I want that vehicle to be around with me for a good while, just to remind me to live young and free (chain is for the vehicle of course).

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by GTO

trackers.

When I buy a new car, I am definitely hiding an Apple Airtag inside somewhere for tracing the location (may not be real time).

[Maverick1977]

With so much of hi tech going in cars, sometimes the best solution could be a low tech one. A product that I had first seen on the family's Premier Padmini and was famously called the Chor Switch. It works in a very simple way where once removed the engine just cranks but doesn't start.
My FIL had installed this in his Tavera and this is exactly what saved the car from getting stolen. The thieves were fully prepared, they removed the lock on passenger side door got a duplicate key made. They even managed to open the car without the alarm going off. However, they cranked multiple times but the car wouldn't start. Panicking they ran away leaving the key in the ignition.
The her of the day was the simple Chor Switch or key. Ironically my FIL had installed two of them and in such a place even we used to forget.
Not sure if this solution would work in modern cars, but it definitely does the job it is cut out for. I recall he had got them installed from an electrician some where near Bhatia Hospital in Mumbai.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Eddy

When I buy a new car, I am definitely hiding an Apple Airtag inside somewhere for tracing the location (may not be real time).

I have marked all my cars and my Dad’s car too with AirTags - placed somewhere deep inside.
And they work nicely.
Just that once in 2 years one needs to change their batteries.

[RedTerrano]

Originally Posted by GTO

What are the best anti-theft options today for an open Jeep? I am seeing steering locks, gear locks, pedal locks, wheel clamps, GPS trackers, hidden immobilizers and what not!

Any expert advice? Thanks. If possible, do also share brand names & store links for easy ordering.

I am no expert.
But Furiosa is!
Here is what she recommends.

1) Detachable steering wheel

This one is actually available off the shelf.
e.g. https://www.amazon.in/Leadrise-Unive...07SMZ4DYV?th=1
Might be a good idea to have it customized for additional safety (Maybe a different pattern of holes which mate the wheel to the hub)
Of course you will have to carry the detached wheel with you, but bikers too carry their helmets.

2) Programmable ignition sequencer

Theoretically this one should be a straight forward DIY for anyone with knowledge on electronics.

https://www.electronicsforu.com/elec...mbination-lock
Instead of the solenoid doing physical movement, just make it complete the ignition circuit.


Hell, I suspect even a dumb mechanical sequencer should be possible (like the programmable safe / suitcase lock).
Either way it should be a fun project.

[Newtown]

Originally Posted by GTO

I am seeing steering locks, gear locks, pedal locks, wheel clamps, GPS trackers, hidden immobilizers and what not!

The game to deter a thief is to make it harder. It is always possible to steal no matter what. Do a combination of different things.

Combo 1 - Kill switch (in the rear of the Jeep) + steering to pedal lock.
Combo 2 - Add an Air Tag if you feel they may get through even the above
Combo 3 - Adda camera that turns on when the ignition is switched off.

My suggestion is basically to have as many deterrents as possible, so the imbecile eventually gives up.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by Eddy

When I buy a new car, I am definitely hiding an Apple Airtag inside somewhere for tracing the location (may not be real time).

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

I have marked all my cars and my Dad’s car too with AirTags - placed somewhere deep inside.
And they work nicely.
Just that once in 2 years one needs to change their batteries.

Don't they notify the other person (if they have a Apple device) that someone else's Airtag is following them?

[trippytragopan]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

Don't they notify the other person (if they have a Apple device) that someone else's Airtag is following them?

An Airtag can be discovered with an Android phone too.

[SedateGuy]

Originally Posted by Eddy

When I buy a new car, I am definitely hiding an Apple Airtag inside somewhere for tracing the location (may not be real time).

Not sure if this would prevent a car from being stolen. It would assist in tracking it After the event and recovery. The ideal thing would be to immobilise it to prevent the theft itself.

But nevertheless a good idea if the worst were to happen.

[revvharder]

Here is a video on Apple Airtags used as a tracker and how they helped him recover two of his stolen vehicles and he has used 2 Airtags so that if one is discovered by the thieves the other would be still there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9XV...hannel=VINwiki

[nik0502]

I have used a kill switch in my Gypsy and it provided a lot of peace of mind. However in GTO’s case we are talking about a brand new Thar. Installing a kill switch requires cutting the circuit and installing the switch between the circuit and this will definitely void the warranty. I don’t think the option is worth it in this scenario.