Alarm help

[poppa]

Hi , after my mom's handicapped accessibile van was stolen 2 weeks ago and now my garage was broken into I want a good alarm for my 69 when I bring it home. I heard some hear mention Lojak and was set to buy ,but they aren't in Wisconsin. Reccommendations??? Thanks

[twodko]

Hidden kill switch, steering wheel lock, keep it locked in your garage and I guess you can buy a wheel boot......I think? When you're out and about driving it keep it in sight.
Audible car alarms are not such a good theft deterrent because people just ignore them these days.

[myk]

There are other car alarm/tracking systems to use besides Lo-Jack; many will tell you that a GPS based tracking system is better than a radio-frequency based system like Lo-Jack.  Personally, I know some people who use BOTH.  You'll have many more questions to be sure, so I'd consult with a local car-audio/electronics place to help guide you in your decision.  Additionally, the aforementioned kill switches and other anti-theft measures aren't guaranteed but every little bit helps, IMO.  One thing I did go with was an electric fuel pump.....

[A383Wing]

yup...hidden kill switch.....just connect it to "-" side of coil and ground...with switch activated, vehicle will never start even by hot wiring it

[cudaken]

Fuel cut off in the fuel line. They will get it started, but won't go far. Idea is they will just think the car broke down and leave it. After all, how many thieves are going to fix a broken car!

Cuda Ken

[Dino]

Tilt sensor because none of this stuff will keep them from pulling it onto a flatbed.  Tilt sensor at least will set off the alarm when one end of the car is raised beyond a certain angle.

Any type of hidden GPS is no luxury either.  I'm not going to use Lojack but will built something into the car with its own power feed so I can trace it at all times.

I've seen guys block a car in their garage so thieves wouldn't even bother, but that seems like a lot of work if you actually drive the car regularly.

[myk]

I've heard of people installing into concealment cellphones in their cars; newer ones have a built-in GPS tracker by default and can be traced that way...

[Windsor]

Remote master power switch (you can even get one that is solenoid activated from a dedicated circuit) and alarm.
I run a remote disconnect and a Viper alarm system with bump and tilt sensors, I also have a proximity sensor that I will install inside the car.

[poppa]

Remote master power switch (you can even get one that is solenoid activated from a dedicated circuit) and alarm.
I run a remote disconnect and a Viper alarm system with bump and tilt sensors, I also have a proximity sensor that I will install inside the car.

Remote master power switch???

Remote disconnect??

How do they work?

[Windsor]

I have a master disconnect switch on the negative cable on the battery. Mine is just a keyed switch. Turn the key and the battery is disconnected. There are some that ground out the coil and prevent the ignition from working.
I have my battery relocated to the trunk, so I am able to hide the wiring behind a false wall. I have a dedicated circuit for the alarm hooked up to the battery side posts with the main cables hooked to the top posts. So, even with the battery disconnected, my alarm will still work.

[poppa]

Thanks guys. Stuff to think about....

[troy.70R/T]

Good thread to keep up on. I will need something for my daily driver 68 R/T when I get it running this summer.

[Mike DC]

              
I agree with the others.  

Kill switches help deter amateurs.  
Tilt sensors & GPS trackers help your odds if a pro goes after it.  
It doesn't hurt to block the car into your garage with other vehicles if you are going out of town for a while or something.  

As for alarms, most people literally won't even turn their head and look when they hear one go off these days.



Plenty of guys will never let the car out of their sight when they are away from home with it.  There are some reasons for that but its not so much about car thieves.  That is more about stopping brainless gawkers who walk right up and start poking & prodding it like its on public display at a dealership.    

[myk]

Question about the electronic stuff: since most of our cars don't see regular duty, how are the battery and the charging system supposed to keep up with the constant drain of an alarm system?

[Windsor]

             
I agree with the others.  

Kill switches help deter amateurs.  
Tilt sensors & GPS trackers help your odds if a pro goes after it.  
It doesn't hurt to block the car into your garage with other vehicles if you are going out of town for a while or something.  

As for alarms, most people literally won't even turn their head and look when they hear one go off these days.



Plenty of guys will never let the car out of their sight when they are away from home with it.  There are some reasons for that but its not so much about car thieves.  That is more about stopping brainless gawkers who walk right up and start poking & prodding it like its on public display at a dealership.    

Very true. But it does increase the chance of someone seeing.  There really is no guarantee against the car being stolen if someone really wants it. The longer someone has to work at taking the car, the more attention the car draws, the more likely it is that someone will catch them before the car drives away while you are shopping for that "I'm sorry I spend so much time with my car" gift.  All you can really do is try to decrease the chance that it happens, and increase the chance that the car is found.
There are multiple stand alone GPS setups these days that can be used. Not all are specifically designed for cars, but who says you can't put something in the car that wasn't initially designed for it.
As for the battery, a batter tender is a good idea for a vehicle that isn't going to see regular use.

[poppa]

yup...hidden kill switch.....just connect it to "-" side of coil and ground...with switch activated, vehicle will never start even by hot wiring it

Can I do this with an MSD dizzy and accell coil? More worried about the dizzy. Thanks

[A383Wing]

I don't see why not....I'm running MSD ignition, MSD coil, and Mopar electronic dist for the trigger....all you are doing is grounding the coil negative side at the tach adapter.......

it's not like yer gonna be running it with this switch on, which you can't....it just won't start without ignition power to coil

[poppa]

Thanks to all....

[johnnycharger]

I don't see why not....I'm running MSD ignition, MSD coil, and Mopar electronic dist for the trigger....all you are doing is grounding the coil negative side at the tach adapter.......

it's not like yer gonna be running it with this switch on, which you can't....it just won't start without ignition power to coil

is it really that easy? I bought a kit for $65 with relays, switch etc that I havent installed yet. If all I need is a wire from the coil to the ground and a switch...it looks like I got suckered!!!

[69white hat]

My electric fuel pump is on a relay. When I park I just open the hood and yank the relay. It'll run for about 30 seconds and quit. But I don't think I'd leave it overnight at the mall.

[A383Wing]

I don't see why not....I'm running MSD ignition, MSD coil, and Mopar electronic dist for the trigger....all you are doing is grounding the coil negative side at the tach adapter.......

it's not like yer gonna be running it with this switch on, which you can't....it just won't start without ignition power to coil

is it really that easy? I bought a kit for $65 with relays, switch etc that I havent installed yet. If all I need is a wire from the coil to the ground and a switch...it looks like I got suckered!!!

it's what I got on mine...switch is hidden under dash.....

wire from neg side of coil (if running points or Mopar electronic), to one terminal on toggle switch, other terminal of toggle switch to ground.....

If running MSD Ignition, the wire you will ground will be the tach adapter wire, at least it was for mine.

Parts total maybe less than $5

[johnnycharger]

I have an msd blaster coil and I believe a "pertronix" box replacing my points. I do not have the separate MSD box....
this looks like a good option....

[johnnycharger]

Is there any specific wire gauge or type of toggle to use?

[poppa]

I am thinking about mounting a key electrical switch in my console glove box. It is not a mint console and then I could lock the glove box too. I would do the same if I go to an electric fuel pump ,and I may. Was thinking of doing that last summer.