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Has anyone done this...

Kyle1983

Kyle1983

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Sweden
I have a hypothetical question. If there is a thread on here covering it, just link me and I will delete this entire post.


I am going to bedline the inside of my 88 Blazer. I live in Sweden. With Import, VAT and shipping the "soft topper" is going to cost me 2000 dollars. So until I save money for one of those, I want to remove the back cab and tailgate for the summer.

I will use a tailgate net on the back. No back seat. Just the Blazer bed and of course the wide open front cab.

I want to know if anyone has made a simple modification so that the open cab has a drop down metal shutters, to protect the vehicle from theft. Of course in the fall/winter I can put the cab back on.

I just want the freedom to have an open bed Blazer, no cab in the summer, without worrying about theft or animals or just about anything that would get in the vehicle and damage it.

Google this: metal window shutters. I think it could work? On the drivers side of the shutters have a way so it could lock to the Blazer floor. What do you guys think?
 
Kyle1983 said:
I have a hypothetical question. If there is a thread on here covering it, just link me and I will delete this entire post.


I am going to bedline the inside of my 88 Blazer. I live in Sweden. With Import, VAT and shipping the "soft topper" is going to cost me 2000 dollars. So until I save money for one of those, I want to remove the back cab and tailgate for the summer.

I will use a tailgate net on the back. No back seat. Just the Blazer bed and of course the wide open front cab.

I want to know if anyone has made a simple modification so that the open cab has a drop down metal shutters, to protect the vehicle from theft. Of course in the fall/winter I can put the cab back on.

I just want the freedom to have an open bed Blazer, no cab in the summer, without worrying about theft or animals or just about anything that would get in the vehicle and damage it.

Google this: metal window shutters. I think it could work? On the drivers side of the shutters have a way so it could lock to the Blazer floor. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
There is a kit that was available (not anymore) that made the blazer closed like a pickup cab.
I don't have a link but I believe someone will chime in with a link pretty soon.
So yes it has been done before
 
Your truck with a soft topper is just as easy to theft as the truck is without the top on it. Keep that in mind. So other than keeping the animals out, the soft topper isn't going to stop a thief from getting into your Blazer.

I'd focus attention on making the truck hard to steal vs trying to close it up with the top off. Keep the eye-candy out of sight like the stereo and other electrical goodies. Install a secret kill switch that will keep the engine from cranking even if they pop the ignition lock and turn the switch that way. An alarm would not hurt either.

Paying attention to how you park it if you have to leave it outside is another thing to watch. Make it hard to get to with another vehicle in front of it if you have another one. If somebody wants it bad enough they might not bother trying to break in or hotwire it, they could just back up to it with another truck and pull it if it's easy to get to.

The local thugs in Sweden might not be well versed in how an 80's squarebody works compared to the more normal local cars and trucks to you. So that might work to your advantage, but I'd still do some of the items to keep people honest.
 
Thanks for all the input this far. I don't live in a house. It's street parked. High visibility and high probability to get ****ed with by some drunks on a weekend night. I say that because that's just how it is around here.

I suppose I will have to keep thinking about it. The soft topper might not be the best option now that you mention it. At 2000 dollars, even an asshole with a knife would slash it up for fun. I think it's either keep the stock back cab on all summer or find a way to secure the front drivers/passenger area.
 
My brother in law leaves his Jeep unlocked just to keep people from slashing his soft top. Happens all the time with Jeeps.
 
Keep a blown fuse handy, swap the good ECM fuse for the bad one when parked.

I've been a fan of this for a long time: https://www.amazon.com/Steering-Column-Cadillac-Oldsmobile-Chevrolet/dp/B01E6IZN1W

Still has some shortcomings, but it should keep thieves from breaking the window, then the column, to drive off with it. I like it because it's obvious... hopefully they see that, realize it's not going to be the quick theft it would be otherwise, and walk off.

That and a good, locking console (ala Tuffy) is about as good as you are going to get for security with the top off.

My thought process is that while a kill switch or similar is good, I'd rather they not break my window and column before realizing it wont start.
 
Last edited:
dyeager535 said:
Keep a blown fuse handy, swap the good ECM fuse for the bad one when parked.

I've been a fan of this for a long time: https://www.amazon.com/Steering-Column-Cadillac-Oldsmobile-Chevrolet/dp/B01E6IZN1W

Still has some shortcomings, but it should keep thieves from breaking the window, then the column, to drive off with it. I like it because it's obvious... hopefully they see that, realize it's not going to be the quick theft it would be otherwise, and walk off.

That and a good, locking console (ala Tuffy) is about as good as you are going to get for security with the top off.

My thought process is that while a kill switch or similar is good, I'd rather they not break my window and column before realizing it wont start.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. Looks like a nice device. My Blazer is carbureted and I am more worried they would slash up my seats or seat belts just for the fun of it. Jump in the back and walk to the front. Not even bother with breaking windows. I have a kill switch, although it's not hidden. Not really sure who would want to steal my big orange Blazer in Sweden. I guess the idea of leaving my vehicle completely exposed on the street just doesn't give me peace of mind.

I doubt 99% of people want to steal it. I am more worried about someone trying to be funny and dropping a turd in my front seat.

Seriously, people are animals.
 
Here's a couple of photos of the "half cab" that was mentioned earlier. I don't think it would meet your needs, even if you could find one. It pretty much just converts the truck into a pickup. If you want the full top-off effect, though, this doesn't do it for you. Another think to consider is what are you going to do with the metal shutters while you're driving around? They are going to be noisy, heavy and bulky.
On a different note entirely, I thought Sweden was a nice place...you make it sound worse than Detroit. Or is it just vandals and not much real crime? Really surprises me to hear its that bad there!

the top of the panamints.JPG

side view.JPG
 
I guess they are the spawn of Vikings, so maybe that's where it's coming from. Next thing, we'll be hearing how the Irish don't really like potatoes! Pretty sad...I may have to retire early and head off to the mountains if this continues!
 
anwat said:
Here's a couple of photos of the "half cab" that was mentioned earlier. I don't think it would meet your needs, even if you could find one. It pretty much just converts the truck into a pickup. If you want the full top-off effect, though, this doesn't do it for you. Another think to consider is what are you going to do with the metal shutters while you're driving around? They are going to be noisy, heavy and bulky.
On a different note entirely, I thought Sweden was a nice place...you make it sound worse than Detroit. Or is it just vandals and not much real crime? Really surprises me to hear its that bad there!

View attachment 332959

View attachment 332960
Click to expand...

That looks super nice!

I guess it's a matter of perception. Sweden has a lot more crime than people think, although you find more serious crime in bigger cities, normally. Even with low crime, a big orange classic American vehicle sure gets attention.
 
cuervo said:
People steal stuff in Sweden? Like cars/trucks? I thought everyone just got high made love all day?
Click to expand...

Getting high in Sweden:haha:
Drugs are here but it's pretty socially unacceptable and very illegal. The smallest offense gets you probation and a revoked drivers license. Search warrants don't exist in Sweden.
 
Kyle1983 said:
Getting high in Sweden:haha:
Drugs are here but it's pretty socially unacceptable and very illegal. The smallest offense gets you probation and a revoked drivers license. Search warrants don't exist in Sweden.
Click to expand...

Well, clearly socially unacceptable and very illegal and probation aren't working if people are stealing trucks. Might I suggest, smoke more weed and do some ****ing!!

I thought Sweden and Denmark were both weed capitals of the world.

Oh and get a 4th amendment. :D

All in fun, sorry about your truck.
 
Kyle1983 said:
That looks super nice!

I guess it's a matter of perception. Sweden has a lot more crime than people think, although you find more serious crime in bigger cities, normally. Even with low crime, a big orange classic American vehicle sure gets attention.
Click to expand...

A little off topic, but how are the trails there? Do you just have that for the snow, or can you actually get off-road and have some fun with it? I know that many countries are very strict on where you can and can't drive, and I know, much like you, it's hard to hide a bright colored truck in the trees! Many of the places we used to go in California are closed to vehicles now, and more to come, I'm sure. I know there's some beautiful country there, just wondering if you can actually get out and enjoy that rig.

One thing to remember regarding your vandals: No matter what you do to safeguard your property, they will see it as a challenge to mess it up and break it. Honestly, if they want to screw with it, there are so many things to do that will cost you a lot of money to fix that you just can't win. Lock one hub. Sand in your breather tubes, sugar in the gas tank, the list goes on forever....The more obvious to them that you don't want it vandalized, the more they will try to defeat what you have done. Just do what you can to not draw attention to it, and hope for the best. Easier said than done, I know....
 
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