Truck "broken into" (hood access)

[Li'l Work Truck]

TL;DR: I need your help with anti-theft measures!

Today I walked to my truck after work to find the hood popped and a rag sitting on the battery. Needless to say, I spent the next 30 minutes looking over everything to make sure I still had everything, and that nobody had tried to swap any parts or strap a tracker to the truck (I don't know why anyone would want to steal an 18-year-old truck...). The grille makes it super easy to get to the manual release, and that's got me concerned. Generally, if a thief knows that much about a vehicle, spooking them once isn't going to stop them from trying again later.

What can I do to fix this situation? My friend mentioned a padlock under the hood, which does seem like it would help...

 

[franklin2]

So your truck has the release inside the cab, but you can easily open the hood from outside? If that is the case, can you put a piece of metal or something there to block access?

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

So your truck has the release inside the cab, but you can easily open the hood from outside? If that is the case, can you put a piece of metal or something there to block access?

I think that's a really good idea. I have a piece of sheetmetal waiting for a purpose. I could fab something.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’ve seen a few 98+ trucks with a plastic baffle inside the grill that prevents easy access to the release. Maybe try to find a junkyard truck with one?

 

[drew1]

Hi Work Truck,

It might be a bad idea to restrict underhood access where you can't get it open if latch cable breaks or latch problems. A hood pin with a small padlock may work.

drew1

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

I’ve seen a few 98+ trucks with a plastic baffle inside the grill that prevents easy access to the release. Maybe try to find a junkyard truck with one?

That would be good to have! I'll look around, thanks!

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

Hi Work Truck,

It might be a bad idea to restrict underhood access where you can't get it open if latch cable breaks or latch problems. A hood pin with a small padlock may work.

drew1

The padlock idea had crossed my mind! I've thought about removing the cable entirely and using a servo instead, but thinking about it, if the battery dies, it's back to square one.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've seen on an older f150 (1977) an aftermarket key lock on the inside of the cab. Not sure how it works tho.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I've seen on an older f150 (1977) an aftermarket key lock on the inside of the cab. Not sure how it works tho.

The older F-150s you could opt for a hood lock. Factory option. Dad ordered his 79 with a factory locking hood latch. The trouble is, you don’t have to pull the cable on the RBVs, you just have to know where to reach.

 

[RobbieD]

I've seen on an older f150 (1977) an aftermarket key lock on the inside of the cab. Not sure how it works tho.

The old aftermarket hood locks, were basically an armor-wrapped sliding cable operated by a push button in the cab.

Pushing the button pushed the cable, which slid a pin on the other end through a bracket, mounted to the hood. The cable end would be mounted to the radiator support or other fixed point.

Unlocking the push button with key, released the cable and retracted the pin.

All old-school mechanical, and simple, but effective.


Back in the day, we'd also find a place to run a chain through the hood structure and then through a fixed point in the bay, and put a lock on it. The hood could raised a few inches, enough to unlock the lock and free a chain end.

 

[franklin2]

Hi Work Truck,

It might be a bad idea to restrict underhood access where you can't get it open if latch cable breaks or latch problems. A hood pin with a small padlock may work.

drew1

You could mount your access cover with some allen bolts or something that you could reach. Time seems to be a high priority with thieves. If it takes too long and needs a special wrench, they move on to another ranger that is easier and quicker to mess with. But you could take the time to take the cover off if the cable broke.

 

[bobbywalter]

you do nothing.

most likely you had the wrong type of battery. lucky you.


all that will happen is more damage.

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

you do nothing.

most likely you had the wrong type of battery. lucky you.


all that will happen is more damage.

I am reminded of the plight of the convertible owner - locked doors invite a much more expensive roof replacement. What you say holds merit, though I am still bothered by the fact that I am considered lucky in this regard. Should I continue to purchase other items in the hopes that the vultures might pass me by? Forgive my pointed remark, but the sting of such a near miss and that luck or fate alone controls the very ownership of my solitary mode of transport is a bit much, but you are correct; thievery levels all playing fields.

 

[bobbywalter]

I am reminded of the plight of the convertible owner - locked doors invite a much more expensive roof replacement. What you say holds merit, though I am still bothered by the fact that I am considered lucky in this regard. Should I continue to purchase other items in the hopes that the vultures might pass me by? Forgive my pointed remark, but the sting of such a near miss and that luck or fate alone controls the very ownership of my solitary mode of transport is a bit much, but you are correct; thievery levels all playing fields.

everything in your life.....that applies to.

EVERYTHING. shit bags are gonna shit bag.


the world needs more dead offenders.

its not pointed....it is recognition of disgusting acts....

sorry...not sorry applies.

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

You could mount your access cover with some allen bolts or something that you could reach. Time seems to be a high priority with thieves. If it takes too long and needs a special wrench, they move on to another ranger that is easier and quicker to mess with. But you could take the time to take the cover off if the cable broke.

That's an excellent idea! I'm thinking security bolts in the right places could make for an improved time ratio.