Landy Jamieson Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Hi Some "lovely" people pinched my pride and joy on Monday. Defender 90 (K 571 XEC). "Secured" with Cat 3 stoplock (clearly not secured). Has Steel Modular Wheels with Road tyres, full length roofrack with ladders, 100,650 miles. No radio inside. Chequer plate on bonnet and sills tops and all inside rear. Owned for 8 months after waiting 20 years to get one.....gutted. Couple of pics attached in vain hope.... So...when I get my next one, how should I secure it?? What's the best?? Thanks Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Sorry to hear that. So far as securing anything, you cannot rely on any one single form of protection - security people talk about layers. The number of layers you need is proportional to the risk in your area. Any of the security products can be removed / circumvented - it's just each takes time. The hope is that the potential thief will look at it and think it's not worth the bother and go & steal someone elses. OK, that's not great for the other person, but still better than it being yours! My advice is not to bother protecting the exterior. The vehicles are so easy to gain access to by so many routes that it's futile. Devices like the stoplock are removed by cutting the steering wheel - which is quick and silent. If you go for a wheel lock, one of the disk-lock things that surrounds the whole wheel seem to be the best option. A fuel line shut-off (preferably mechanical rather than a solenoid) is a good option as any electrical immobiliser can be defeated easily. Lastly, a tracker such as this one http://www.dealextreme.com/p/gps-dualband-gsm-realtime-spy-anti-theft-vehicle-tracker-22968 which is what I have. You can use this free site for real time tracking http://gps-trace.com/ or follow the vehicle with text messages on a smart-phone. At least then, you have a fighting chance of getting it back! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gruntus Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Hi Andy, Sorry to hear of the theft, my pride and joy is at final fitting stage and due for MOT in April. Its been 4 years in the making (almosta vapour build) and I want to make sure its difficult to nick. Im currently fitting a removable steering wheel (the original has been removed in the meantime) and a clutch claw and something in the line that Simon has fitted. I know its going to be a pain day to day but I want to prevent the theft and increase the changes of recovery as much as possible. All the best. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieEater3142 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Sorry to here Andy, I am just finishing a project off (April she will be on the road). I am in the same boat as to what to stop the buggers knicking my 110. I thought of a removable steering wheel. I was also thinking that the mech lock although expensive surely is cheaper than having the car stolen. http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/Meck_Lock.shtml Although I really think this should be fitted to the brakes rather than the clutch. Also Si regarding the tracker: Lastly, a tracker such as this one http://www.dealextre...e-tracker-22968 which is what I have. You can use this free site for real time tracking http://gps-trace.com/ or follow the vehicle with text messages on a smart-phone. At least then, you have a fighting chance of getting it back! Do you need to pay a monthly fee? Or is that it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieEater3142 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Also does anyone know if the 'ard cases (http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/%27ardcase.shtml) are worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypermethrin Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I have a meck lock fitted to ours... In my view its worth the 420 quid to ensure it stays where it should to all but the most determined with a hilift Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimaquinas Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 what about a lock on your hand brake lever easy to fabricate with some flat steel bar and a padlock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I have a meck lock fitted to ours... In my view its worth the 420 quid to ensure it stays where it should to all but the most determined with a hilift Without wanting to give the game away, how does a HiLift defeat a Mech lock? I would have thought a small ring spanner would be better? Do you need to pay a monthly fee? Or is that it? The trackers just use a Mobile Phone SIM card. Mine is just a Pay as you go card - so no monthly contract. If you are using Text messages to communicate with the tracker - you need a PAYG deal with lots of texts. If you are using the software like GPSTrack, it uses a data connection to your phone via the internet - so you need one with data connectivity. Also does anyone know if the 'ard cases (http://www.mudstuff....27ardcase.shtml) are worth it Pedal locks are a good deterrent from what I've read. The big issue is where to store them safely while you're driving. I spoke to a chap who had just had his 110 stolen who said he had one that he used religeously for a month or two - but now it lives in his shed because of the inconvenience and danger of carrying it unsecured. what about a lock on your hand brake lever easy to fabricate with some flat steel bar and a padlock Easy to make - but too easy to defeat IMHO. A handbrake cable can be cut too easily (silently & quickly). Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sparkes Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 cypermethrin, on 09 March 2012 - 05:17 PM, said: I have a meck lock fitted to ours... In my view its worth the 420 quid to ensure it stays where it should to all but the most determined with a hilift Without wanting to give the game away, how does a HiLift defeat a Mech lock? ... Possibly he meant a Hiab (complete vehicle lift), rather than a hi-lift jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danebrewer Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 on the pedal lock storage front, how many of us have things like spades, and other stuff unsecured in the back/front of our rovers, or other cars for that matter, quite a lot I should think, but I'd think one of those quick fists of something similar would do the trick, down behind the front seats on the bulkhead : http://www.endroad.com/index.php/quick-fist-mounts.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 on the pedal lock storage front, how many of us have things like spades, and other stuff unsecured in the back/front of our rovers, or other cars for that matter, quite a lot I should think, but I'd think one of those quick fists of something similar would do the trick, down behind the front seats on the bulkhead : http://www.endroad.c...ist-mounts.html Not everybody has a bulkhead. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Not everybody has a bulkhead. LOL That's the nub of the problem. Some of these pedal locks weigh up to 20kg - which could give you a bad day if it comes to join you in the front off roading or in the event of a collision! It's also in excess of what a pair of even the most chunky quick-fists will hold if you are in a collision. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Agreed, I have a pedal lock and quite often leave it chucked on the passenger seat when travelling ...... makes an almighty bang when you brake hard enough for it to slide off. I must get around to making a bracket to secure it, but it's hard to decide where to fix it to in a SW .... still it will be harder still to find a place when it's smacked me in the head [moves pedal box mounting bracket further up the todo list] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieEater3142 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Also what are peoples thoughts on removable steering wheels? Is the visual of the wheel missing a good disincentive? Also how long will it take the person I'm not that keen on to circumnavigate that (if it's not in the vehicle)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Also what are peoples thoughts on removable steering wheels? Is the visual of the wheel missing a good disincentive? Also how long will it take the person I'm not that keen on to circumnavigate that (if it's not in the vehicle)? A pair of vice/mole grips ........ I'd say removable steering wheels are an just inconvenience .... more so to the legitimate driver than a thief PS I'm not letting the cat out of the bag there, it's been said a few times on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy Jamieson Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 Guys, thanks for all the comments (and sympathy). I like the look of the Ardcase. I've now seen a review of steering wheel locks, the "best" being 117 secs (Disclock original/ silver) and the one mine was "secured" with 47secs.....mind you they probably cut the steering wheel (apparently) which is even quicker. I guess on my next one I'll go for a combination of things...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRO110Man Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I've heard that with the ones that cover only part of the pedals they can just cut off the pedals and stil drive the vehicle. This one is about half the price of an 'Ardcase but covers the whole foot-well area. http://shirefabrications.com/services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I've heard that with the ones that cover only part of the pedals they can just cut off the pedals and stil drive the vehicle. This one is about half the price of an 'Ardcase but covers the whole foot-well area. http://shirefabrications.com/services I have this one http://www.mudsport.co.uk/index.php/adrenalin-defender-security-pedal-lock.html which is enclosed even more Although SimonR is working on a fold up one which solves the storage problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I can't remember who originally said that an open workshop manual, and a pile of engine parts on the front seat should be a good deterent to anyone hoping to drive away in a stolen vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I can't remember who originally said that an open workshop manual, and a pile of engine parts on the front seat should be a good deterent to anyone hoping to drive away in a stolen vehicle. I believe it might have been SimonR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I believe it might have been SimonR Could be! Not originally my idea though! I think this would be very effective combined with a fuel shut-off. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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