Truck got stolen

[Backlash]

I know this doesn't help you find your truck, but I've been happy using this column lock on mine. It adds a few steps each time you drive the truck, but it completely shields the column in a clamshell of steel. It wraps around and covers the ignition with a giant padlock that locks everything together and prevents anyone from gaining access to the ignition. I typically park this truck in secured areas, but when I don't, it adds peace of mind. I think I paid $250 for it and installed it in about 3 minutes.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

.

Best I ever saw was a penny stuck to the carpet with a drop of super glue and a tactile switch under the carpet to close a relay....Had to push on the penny to start the truck. Half the cars out there have a few pieces of change on the floor, nobody thinks twice about it.

My old Blazer (1993).had a relay attached to the headlight switch, the headlights had to be on for the truck to start.

 

[rrrr]

Had to chuckle about leaning the club against the door. In the 90's, I "knew a guy", that would leave the "Viper" or "PageNet" alarm box in the driveway.

The scanners they are using now are the ones for sale that say "All keys lost" function. It tells the BCM that it needs the code to program to a fob, and then in turn acts as the fob. There are decent ones offered by the same company I got my truck scanner from, and about half the price...7-800$. In my opinion, adding a kill switch to the ECM key on power would be the best thing to keep it immobile. No fuel, no spark. Even on the earlier Duramax's, no ECM means no injectors even though they didn't have a fuel pump.

It really sucks, what's happening in the world. I remember a few years back, an inmate posted about the homeless living in the culdesac next to their shop. 20 years ago I'd looked at shops in that area, they were really nice, but rent was too much for me. Rent has probably only gone up, but now homeless are hanging out there. Nicer areas and homes have become the hunting grounds of the thief's. Instead of being safer, families and others are the targets...made so because of any modest success they may have had. It's truly saddening as much as it is infuriating.

That was @Dana757. It was a real shit show.

 

[oldman]

In the old days, 1995ish, the cigarette lighter in my Mustang had to be pushed in. Instead of heating, the element was used as a connector, completing the circuit for the ecu trigger wire.

Modern era, seen a guy that ran an RFID. The sensor was in the center console, and the "key" was in the cell phone case. Same setup, interrupted the ecu power beneath the fuse box.

Also remember, if they want your car, specifically, they will get it. You can only make it more difficult. If they want a certain type like your car, if it doesn't start in the first two hits of the starter, they're usually out to find an easier one.

Something else to consider, burying your ODBII port, and moving it. The typical thief wants the low hanging fruit. They aren't normally geniuses. Everyone says the modern cars are harder to steal. I honestly think they are a bit easier now. No slide hammer to the key, no popping off the switch on the column and no need to break the column lock. Once inside, plug in and all that stuff is released and the push button starts it up.

Old trick was the high beam switch on the floor. Those are long gone.

 

[Ziggy]

In my shop truck I take out the starter relay and the Fuel Pump relay if there are no plans for it the next day.

A talented thief would know how to get around it just like crawling under the car with a screwdriver to jump the starter. So the Fuel Pump not coming on should get them to move on.

I take mine out and install a dummy relay that I've modified internally.

 

[OCMerrill]

I take mine out and install a dummy relay that I've modified internally.

Solid!. Whats the royalty fee on this?

 

[monkeyswrench]

I knew someone would say cigarette lighter and a professional thief WILL know that one too. Make the vehicle so it will start but not driveable.

You missed where I said if they want it bad enough, they will get it. Any tool a repo man has, the thieves have too, and then some more that are available and illegal. Skates and qick-picks as well...even as far back as the 90's.

A little later, mine was wired into the nitrous system. Push the lighter in and it "armed" the system. Hit the cruise control button on the steering wheel and hold on.
For some reason I always had an endless supply of 5 liter motors...

 

[zhandfull]

Thread motivated me to add air tags to the three vehicle parked in my driveway every night. They are insured but still like the possibly to assist police in a recovery and conviction.

 

[TimeBandit]

 

[Your ad here]

You missed where I said if they want it bad enough, they will get it. Any tool a repo man has, the thieves have too, and then some more that are available and illegal. Skates and qick-picks as well...even as far back as the 90's.

A little later, mine was wired into the nitrous system. Push the lighter in and it "armed" the system. Hit the cruise control button on the steering wheel and hold on.
For some reason I always had an endless supply of 5 liter motors...

I agree with you on wanting it bad enough. What I was saying if they're smart enough to use a computer to mimic a key then they're smart enough to know the cigarette lighter trick. Cigarette lighter trick isn't original anymore. All the secrets are published out there on the internet forums by the people that think they're protecting their vehicle.
Wanna steal an eagle eye Duramax? Just type in "6.6 duramax kill switch forum" and the information is endless. Again the information on what to look for is published by the people that are trying to prevent theft.
I say let them get the vehicle started. Come up with something so it won't drive, only engine running. Most vehicles are probably drive by wire... make something happen so it had a dead pedal symptom. Idling is only going to go so far.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I agree with you on wanting it bad enough. What I was saying if they're smart enough to use a computer to mimic a key then they're smart enough to know the cigarette lighter trick. Cigarette lighter trick isn't original anymore. All the secrets are published out there on the internet forums by the people that think they're protecting their vehicle.
Wanna steal an eagle eye Duramax? Just type in "6.6 duramax kill switch forum" and the information is endless. Again the information on what to look for is published by the people that are trying to prevent theft.
I say let them get the vehicle started. Come up with something so it won't drive, only engine running. Most vehicles are probably drive by wire... make something happen so it had a dead pedal symptom. Idling is only going to go so far.

Killing the pedal is a great idea. I'm so old school, I probably know how to hotwire the old stuff...anything pre-transponder key. I'm reminded of the remake of "Gone in 60 Seconds", when the hood rat tries to car jack Donnie. He smacks him around "You need a role model!" You used to have an understanding of cars in general, and even drive a stick. Now, like you said, anyone can Google a how to. In some ways, it does make it a tad easier to defend targeted and popular vehicles. Anything even a bit different will throw off guys that only know the text book, run of the mill, standard deal, they won't know what to do. That happens, they cut and run, find the next one they're keyed up for. I've met some of the people who have these scanners to mimic keys, none of them struck me as rocket scientists.

 

[Willie B]

The wind?

… I thought about that… But there hadn’t been any wind that night… someone had previously stolen my black trashcan… So what does one do …you call the trash people and have them bring you another one… …

 

[NIKAL]

Not practical on your daily driver, but I saw a construction yard with several dump trailers, generator & light tower trailers and they all had the wheel chock boots on them.

I guess it would be pretty quick to put on and probably worth it, if you live in an area where your concerned about getting your vehicle stolen. Not saying they could not get through it, but when not expecting or prepared to deal with it, should make them move on to something else.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Even if you happen to mess up one of the three clips on the air tag they still seem to hold pretty well with just two. Or you just simply glue the outer ring back together. You can still remove the battery for easy changes when needed.

 

[bonesfab]

I'm sorry @NicPaus that is the worst every time you remember something that you had in the truck like your flashlight.
I started writing my phone number on trailers in paint pen "Before Towing Call -------" and actually had some crackhead call me about a stolen dump trailer of mine left under an overpass in a nice little neighborhood off the 10fwy in LA. I never saw him and he never asked for a reward. Here's the pic when I hitched it up.
View attachment 1472931

Did you throw a few lit matches on the way out??? Should have.

 

[boatpi]

Still stolen, sorry. I did an LPR check today, last LPR hit was I believe at your house on 254 street.

 

[NicPaus]

No word. Insurance finally called.

The last 2 hits were at my house and leaving Westlake village.

Thanks for checking on it.

 

[RVRKID]

I know this doesn't help you find your truck, but I've been happy using this column lock on mine. It adds a few steps each time you drive the truck, but it completely shields the column in a clamshell of steel. It wraps around and covers the ignition with a giant padlock that locks everything together and prevents anyone from gaining access to the ignition. I typically park this truck in secured areas, but when I don't, it adds peace of mind. I think I paid $250 for it and installed it in about 3 minutes.

View attachment 1473048

Doesn’t help on new trucks With the push button..

 

[RVRKID]

Weird this comes up on IG after reading this thread

Miche Millones on Instagram: "Txt me year make and model of your vehicle to 469…737,,,,0210 for a quote. Don’t be a victim of auto theft #michemike #gahhdemmit #michemillones #killswitch #antitheft #gps"

4,594 likes, 75 comments - briago_michemillones on January 13, 2025: "Txt me year make and model of your vehicle to 469…737,,,,0210 for a quote. Don’t be a victim of auto theft #michemike #gahhdemmit #michemillones #killswitch #antitheft #gps".

www.instagram.com

 

[wrighton]

Bummer , I feel your pain , my daughters car broken into last month at the college campus parking garage in Seattle, 4500 in damage , then today my son calls me, sad car is gone where I parked it. He’s in south orange , New Jersey, this shut is coast to coast and out of control

 

[Dog]

I would rather them take the whole car than "burgle" it.

 

[Ultra...Good]

I would rather them take the whole car than "burgle" it.

Huge difference when it's a truck full of tools. HUGE.

 

[Ultra...Good]

No word. Insurance finally called.

The last 2 hits were at my house and leaving Westlake village.

Thanks for checking on it.

You are a calmer man then me. I would have lost my cool long ago.

Where I live most people leave keys right in the ignition. I do, but just a key no ring so you have to look really close to see it.

This time of year people leave vehicles running to go into gas stations, stores, even bars. Years back me and a friend went outside the bar to smoke a.....cigarette. it was cold and there was a car running right there so we just hopped in the car.

 

[WYRD]

You are a calmer man then me. I would have lost my cool long ago.

Where I live most people leave keys right in the ignition. I do, but just a key no ring so you have to look really close to see it.

This time of year people leave vehicles running to go into gas stations, stores, even bars. Years back me and a friend went outside the bar to smoke a.....cigarette. it was cold and there was a car running right there so we just hopped in the car.

That's a little too Mayberry for me. I'll take somewhere in the middle please

 

[Mandelon]

Our rental car in Costa Rica had a lock for the gear shifter. Maybe they could start it, but it was gonna stay in park.

 

[NicPaus]

Thought I spotted it. He posted a close picture
Different rims.

 

[evantwheeler]

You are a calmer man then me. I would have lost my cool long ago.

Where I live most people leave keys right in the ignition. I do, but just a key no ring so you have to look really close to see it.

This time of year people leave vehicles running to go into gas stations, stores, even bars. Years back me and a friend went outside the bar to smoke a.....cigarette. it was cold and there was a car running right there so we just hopped in the car.

Did you smoke the darts in said car?

 

[boatpi]

Still stolen. Ask your insurance investigator to see if it was scanned southbound into Mexico. If it is 4Wd then maybe.

 

[Ultra...Good]

That's a little too Mayberry for me. I'll take somewhere in the middle please

It really is give and take. First 27 years I lived in then near Chicago. I miss the restaurants, diversity of the people, and a never ending list of things to do nearly 24/7. I do not miss the traffic, having everything either locked or stolen or the crime moving into what were nice areas before diversity in housing became standard, everywhere.

Now if I want to get on an airplane it takes 2 hours to drive to the airport, park and be on a plane. 20 minutes through security, park 500 feet from the gate and parking is free. Works for me when I want a change of scenery.

 

[NicPaus]

It's 4wd.

Since it will be a while before insurance will take appropriate action. I am working on a trade deal for a Tundra. My customer I am doing a addition for has a 4wd crew that just sits.

My Nieces and Nephew want to go riding coming up. All my other trucks are reg cab. Buying a new truck off the lot is not in the cards. I waited for this one so I can wait again. Need to get fences and walls built for more secure parking. My biggest concern on the Tundra is having the Cats stolen. They stole the cats off my other Tundra from this house the first week i had the house.

 

[4Waters]

It's 4wd.

Since it will be a while before insurance will take appropriate action. I am working on a trade deal for a Tundra. My customer I am doing a addition for has a 4wd crew that just sits.

My Nieces and Nephew want to go riding coming up. All my other trucks are reg cab. Buying a new truck off the lot is not in the cards. I waited for this one so I can wait again. Need to get fences and walls built for more secure parking. My biggest concern on the Tundra is having the Cats stolen. They stole the cats off my other Tundra from this house the first week i had the house.

Get a couple sets of header flanges and cut the cats out yourself and use the flanges to swap a straight pipe in after smog. The 3 bolt flanges make it an easy swap every 2 years.

 

[Good Stuff]

It's 4wd.

Since it will be a while before insurance will take appropriate action. I am working on a trade deal for a Tundra. My customer I am doing a addition for has a 4wd crew that just sits.

My Nieces and Nephew want to go riding coming up. All my other trucks are reg cab. Buying a new truck off the lot is not in the cards. I waited for this one so I can wait again. Need to get fences and walls built for more secure parking. My biggest concern on the Tundra is having the Cats stolen. They stole the cats off my other Tundra from this house the first week i had the house.

My buddy gets a half sheet of expanded steel and bolts it along the frame on his Tacomas. It’s not pretty but his theory is it slows them down enough that they move along to another truck. Hasn’t had any stolen since they started doing that. Had every one of them stolen before he came up with that.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

My buddy gets a half sheet of expanded steel and bolts it along the frame on his Tacomas. It’s not pretty but his theory is it slows them down enough that they move along to another truck. Hasn’t had any stolen since they started doing that. Had every one of them stolen before he came up with that.

The new gen Taco I tried to get the cat protector put on when we got it. I was told it didn't need it because Toyota changed the design and now they are buried up by the engine where you're not getting a sawzall to. We’ll see.

 

[NicPaus]

My Tundra is still missing the cats. Sheriff told me they would steal them again as soon as I replaced them.

It's a fucked up world to have to deal with this shit everyday. I can see why so many move. My grandparents farm house in Iowa sits vacant. I could move and be a farmer. My cousin lives down the road in Maysville. 3600 sq ft house 2500 sq ft shop 450k.

But my Mom lives 2 minutes from Me and always needs help. My Nieces and Nephews are here. And I got a good crew that has worked with me for 18 years that rely on me. They also do a lot for me so I can't leave. Work Harder and build a fortress.

 

[Willie B]

It's 4wd.

Since it will be a while before insurance will take appropriate action. I am working on a trade deal for a Tundra. My customer I am doing a addition for has a 4wd crew that just sits.

My Nieces and Nephew want to go riding coming up. All my other trucks are reg cab. Buying a new truck off the lot is not in the cards. I waited for this one so I can wait again. Need to get fences and walls built for more secure parking. My biggest concern on the Tundra is having the Cats stolen. They stole the cats off my other Tundra from this house the first week i had the house.

… Seems kind of odd to me that not all that much gets stolen in my block in North Hollywood anymore…
… i’m surprised no one has stolen my Suzuki DR 650… that sits under the tongue of my fifth wheel trailer right at the sidewalk… I probably shouldn’t have posted this… I might come out tomorrow morning and notice something is different… No motorcycle.…

 

[rivermobster]

My Tundra is still missing the cats. Sheriff told me they would steal them again as soon as I replaced them.

It's a fucked up world to have to deal with this shit everyday. I can see why so many move. My grandparents farm house in Iowa sits vacant. I could move and be a farmer. My cousin lives down the road in Maysville. 3600 sq ft house 2500 sq ft shop 450k.

But my Mom lives 2 minutes from Me and always needs help. My Nieces and Nephews are here. And I got a good crew that has worked with me for 18 years that rely on me. They also do a lot for me so I can't leave. Work Harder and build a fortress.

Or just take them all with you?

Is there anyone that Doesn't want to get out of Ca at this point?

Just food for thought. Nothing more.

 

[boatpi]

Your insurance. Company has to do a payoff within 30 days of the stolen report unless they suspect fraud, etc., or have located it in repairable condition. That can access nicb records to see if it passed south with a plate, if so, they will write a check asap. Get comparable values of simulator sold trucks online to establish value.

 

[hawgty55]

This thread is hard to read that you have to worry about theft this frequently!

 

[Todd Mohr]

I can't believe that theft is so normal in SoCal, you would think the insurance companies would be pressuring the state to stop it. Why are people paying taxes if the state and counties are not holding up their end of the deal. Finally, who would keep voting for this year after year. This is California, the nicest place to live in the nation, without a doubt these result are what the people in power want to happen. Justify higher insurance premiums, more taxes, and citizens choosing safety over freedom must be the goals.

 

[NicPaus]

The adjuster said we are not even close to discussing a value. When I asked. They won't cover any contents. He wants maintenance records, screen shots of my phone calls to the Sheriff. 45 minute recording of him asking me the same questions over and over changing the date, times and what I said. He made it sound like it would be months before a pay out. I am in no rush. Have other vehicles. But for those that get there only vehicle stolen. It would be a nightmare.

 

[gqchris]

The adjuster said we are not even close to discussing a value. When I asked. They won't cover any contents. He wants maintenance records, screen shots of my phone calls to the Sheriff. 45 minute recording of him asking me the same questions over and over changing the date, times and what I said. He made it sound like it would be months before a pay out. I am in no rush. Have other vehicles. But for those that get there only vehicle stolen. It would be a nightmare.

Please tell me the name of the company so I can avoid! That is just bullshit, treated like the criminal and not the victim. Fuck your maint records. Send me my money, clowns!

 

[Mandelon]

Get a couple sets of header flanges and cut the cats out yourself and use the flanges to swap a straight pipe in after smog. The 3 bolt flanges make it an easy swap every 2 years.

Does this mess with any of the sensors or anything?

 

[NicPaus]

Does this mess with any of the sensors or anything?

Check engine light stays on. Truck seems to run fine. It still has 2 cats under the hood. Tundra has 4 total. 2 underneath that are easy to steal. 2 under hood that would be tuff to get a Sawzall on even with the hood open.

 

[NicPaus]

Please tell me the name of the company so I can avoid! That is just bullshit, treated like the criminal and not the victim. Fuck your maint records. Send me my money, clowns!

I understand they need to ask certain questions. They should be more like. How much is owed and what percentage rate is the loan. Are you currently employed. Things along those lines.

I have 6 vehicles I do the maintenance on. How the hell would I know exactly what day I changed the oil. I told him I change it when it tells me to. Last time was a few days before my last river trip.

You would think they would try and locate it. Offer onstar a thousand or 2 to tell them where it is. Onstar told me sorry you need to have it at time of theft not after the fact.

 

[rivermobster]

I can't believe that theft is so normal in SoCal, you would think the insurance companies would be pressuring the state to stop it. Why are people paying taxes if the state and counties are not holding up their end of the deal. Finally, who would keep voting for this year after year. This is California, the nicest place to live in the nation, without a doubt these result are what the people in power want to happen. Justify higher insurance premiums, more taxes, and citizens choosing safety over freedom must be the goals.

It's not.

CA is a VERY big state. It very much depends on where you live.

 

[4Waters]

Does this mess with any of the sensors or anything?

Post cat O2 sensors will trigger a check engine light, it will run fine you just need to swap the cats back in and clear code and drive it for a couple weeks to reset the monitors and you are good for 2 years. The down side is there will be a few weeks that the cats are in there, you just have to run the gauntlet for a few weeks every 2 years.

 

[hawgty55]

The adjuster said we are not even close to discussing a value. When I asked. They won't cover any contents. He wants maintenance records, screen shots of my phone calls to the Sheriff. 45 minute recording of him asking me the same questions over and over changing the date, times and what I said. He made it sound like it would be months before a pay out. I am in no rush. Have other vehicles. But for those that get there only vehicle stolen. It would be a nightmare.

If this where me. Id answer the questions and tell the adjuster to get to work. There job is to be the detective. Not saying this is the best route as ive had to deal with insurance companies but fuck them. I pay you to do the work asshat!

 

[yz450mm]

I understand they need to ask certain questions. They should be more like. How much is owed and what percentage rate is the loan. Are you currently employed. Things along those lines.

I have 6 vehicles I do the maintenance on. How the hell would I know exactly what day I changed the oil. I told him I change it when it tells me to. Last time was a few days before my last river trip.

You would think they would try and locate it. Offer onstar a thousand or 2 to tell them where it is. Onstar told me sorry you need to have it at time of theft not after the fact.

When our daughter was super little I accidentally locked the truck (GMC 3500HD) with it running and her strapped into her car seat. It was a newer truck but I didn't have the paid subscription to OnStar, and they told me the same thing. If there's no subscription, they absolutely cannot initiate anything from their end.

On the insurance note, I'd be escalating that real quick. What if that was your only vehicle and only means of making money to support your family? All they should need from you is a copy of the police report and an affidavit stating the facts and signed by you.

A couple years ago I talked to my general liability provider and had him start a separate inland marine policy that covers tools and equipment with 20K in small tool coverage. You might want to look into that, I think it only costs me 3000 a year and it also covers about 80K of other scheduled larger equipment.

 

[CLCookie]

The problem (or blessing) anymore, when a thief steals anything, they need to change the License plate fast or take it off the road. Flock cameras are everywhere. the days of them driving around in a different city and using a truck really doesn't exist like it used to be.

For all my vehicles anymore, they all have air tags, I never park my stuff in the street and my driveway has both cameras and motion lights. I actually think the motion light might deter the most people.

Being robbed of anything sucks, makes you really feel violated.

 

[boatpi]

Just today a Turo suburban High Country was stopped going southbound. Unreported stolen out of Scottsdale, they got the crook and Sub. It is non stop Cartel ordered 4x4’s going south, thousands a year.