Vehicles targeted for theft, and a new con.

[Shoeboy]

Ok, I was listening to the radio today and the news came on about the newer F250 and F350 trucks. They are being targeted as an easy mark. The news clip was short and didn't say much but they did say for owners to either have an imobilizer installed or to have a steering wheel or peddle bar when the vehicle is not in use. I just heard this and thought I'd pass the news along.

While I'm on this topic, I don't know if this has been posted here or not, but in Calgary a few weeks ago, there was a large string of carjackings. When a car was in a parking lot, and the person saw that the vehicle owner was walking toward the car, they would walk "past" the car and put a piece of paper or whatnot on an awkward window, so when the driver got in and checked their mirrors they would notice something on their window and get out to remove it. When they would get out, most of the time the vehicle would be running by this point, and the person who did it, or the accomplice would hop in and take off. This might be old news to some but I just thought I'd post it, when it comes to theft prevention, I don't think it can be said enough.

 

[OilPatch197]

Just don't buy a FORD RANGER and you'll be safe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDhois8Io8

Everyone needs to know how the crooks operate in order to protect themselves.

 

[human5]

Just don't buy a FORD RANGER and you'll be safe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDhois8Io8

Everyone needs to know how the crooks operate in order to protect themselves.

That news report was from my town. I remember there was a lot of angry users here when that video first hit the web. Simple trick, take your antenna off. Works to an extent, unless someone takes the antenna off the car next to you.

Shoeboy, Trucks are pretty popular down here in South Texas to steal. People like to steal them, take the back seat out and do Cyote Runs. My jobs been affected by this quite a bit. They like SUV's and Mini Vans too. Don't know if you guys have that problem where you are.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Ha sh*t.. This is so great that a Ranger could be broken into so easily. I guess I won't sleep easy any more until I find a fix for it.

 

[Jspafford]

I have one of the Super Duties that are so easy to break into. They make something called a Jimmie Jammer, have not invested in one yet, though.

 

[redranger02]

u could aways just shave ur door handles. but it can be a pain when ur battery goes dead

 

[Jspafford]

I still have the OEM battery, so it wont be long.

I don't know why the insist on making the door handles so huge! It just makes it easier to rip into. Plus they are plastic!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just don't buy a FORD RANGER and you'll be safe!

Hehe, just make sure it has a 2.8 and a moody choke, unless they have a wrecker to tow it they won't be getting far. Especially if it needs a ring gear so it is loud when it cranks, like mine.

 

[fordwheelinman]

The big thing in my area here lately has been to cut off catalytic converters, where ever the car may be. Good thing my truck doesnt have one anymore, dont have to worry about having a major exhaust leak when i come back out of the store. Dont know if anyone else has had this problem in your area, but its something to be aware off.

 

[Jspafford]

It's a sad world we live in, ain't it.

 

[Shoeboy]

Ya, I had my Ranger broken into once, and all my CD's swiped. My Dakota I will leave unlocked in a mall parking lot and no one will even touch the damn thing. Up here, anything with a running engine is a good target to get stolen, probably why no one has taken the Dakota of mine, but ya, trucks and SUV's are usually the first chosen, and then Caravan's and Civics.

 

[ZMan]

The big thing in my area here lately has been to cut off catalytic converters, where ever the car may be. Good thing my truck doesnt have one anymore, dont have to worry about having a major exhaust leak when i come back out of the store. Dont know if anyone else has had this problem in your area, but its something to be aware off.

this is good and bad, but prices on platinum have gone way down because of so many people scrapping cats, so maybe that ring will slow down.

 

[BGMark]

For the antenna trick are there any cost effective ways to cover those holes? I work at a shop so I have access to everything but body shop tools.
-Mark

 

[dirtsquirt]

At one time they HUNG people for a single horse theft Now they steal a hundred Plus Nothing

 

[mkpecor]

i carry my .45 on me every second of the day, and got glock stickers in my windows so peaple get the hint on whats going to come if they try some theft