Anti theft ideas for a ‘93 Ranger

[JMF661]

So, as you all know thieves are running around everywhere. They love to slim Jim open the doors on older vehicles and run off with them for a joy ride. If you’re lucky they find your truck a week later missing the tires and battery without much other damage.

Anyhow, I’m sure this topic has come up before now, maybe some of your could point me in the right direction or give me some ideas.

I am looking to create some sort of “anti theft” device for the old ranger so some bad guy doesn’t run off with it on the rare occasion I don’t park it in the back behind lock and key.

My initial thoughts are wiring an on off switch for the ignition up under the dash or in some inconspicuous location, easy to use assuming you already know where it is?!

Or, maybe I should just invest in The Club TM?

 

[racsan]

in this day & age......
.... A manual transmission?

 

[Dirtman]

 

[JMF661]

in this day & age......
.... A manual transmission?

Not a bad idea at all!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Seriously if you got a manual youll prolly be fine.

 

[Alan_nc]

Well I didn't do it for anti-theft but I have a switch under the dash that turns the fuel pump on/off. Not something someone would think you have to change the position of to start the car. Also, Floyd, is painted Pepto-Bismol color so pretty easy to identify.

 

[adsm08]

I have a key pass box you can have. You wire it up in line with the start circuit and then it needs to see a signal from a key fob, or you have to push a button before the engine starts.

Owning guns and not living near cities are also good options.

 

[Blmpkn]

One swich is lame. Needing to hit 6 in a certain order like the war rig from the new mad Max is the way to go.

 

[wildbill23c]

A few other's mentioned a manual transmission too LOL. Pretty sad when a transmission could thwart a thief LOL.

 

[JMF661]

I am definitely interested in doing a manual conversion someday in the future. I am also considering moving the heck out of California.
Already own firearms, but it’s probably not worth shooting a car thief and going to jail.

The 6 switch idea isn’t a terrible idea either!

 

[Dirtman]

You could become a crime boss, take over the city and then all the criminals would work for you and not steal your truck.

 

[snoranger]

Wire a relay into the starter circuit so you have to push a button while you crank it... if you don’t, wire to blow the horn, or pop the airbag, or set off the ejecto-seato.

 

[Grumpaw]

Here's an easy way...

 

[91stranger]

The fuel pump kill switch is the easiest solution..... Take that back. Easiest solution is lock you truck and keep your keys inside. It's a ranger, not a ferrari. I would imagine people stealing cars at least try to get one that can go faster than 90 mph lol.

Seriously though something as simple as a fuel pump switch is all it takes. If it don't start within the first few minutes then the thief will move on. I doubt he would ask for a jump lol.

I seen a video where the guy had a kill switch mounted under his shift boot (manual transmission) and he knew where the switch was and could turn it off and on through the boot. Pretty clever since it's out of sight but still in reach.

I always liked the ol tricks they used where you have to have the rear defrost on, parking lights on just to get power to the door, swipe a magnet over the secret door to pop it open and voila!

 

[RonD]

1993 will have an OBD1 connector in the engine bay
It has a Fuel pump slot seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OBD_I.shtml

There should be two wires on the back side of that slot, this is the Ground for the fuel pump relay
Its a test port, you can separate those 2 wires and fuel pump will never run
You can then run 2 wires into cab to a switch, or run 1 wire and use a relay

Computer pin 22----------------------OBD1 connector---------------------FP Relay


I did install a Horn relay for a friend years ago, if ignition was powered up the horn would go off unless you reset the dual relay setup, so it auto "armed" with key off, then you would have to press a button to disarm it before turning key on, or ASAP after key on, LOL