Theft Protection

[Jason4x4]

If you look in this picture. you can see how a chevy is stolen. I have fixed several columns with this. Right above the turn signal, they punh a hole with a screw driver. Then the have your truck. Takes all of about 30 seconds to do. I have the red column gaurd. And although I have never tried, It appears that you caould pop it open fairly easy with a screw driver. That is why I have a club, an alarm, the column lock, and the lock that locks the brake pedal up. Some people think I am crazy, but when you see first hand how easy one of these are to steal, I try and think of what else I can use. And sometimes, I even pull the ecm fuse, now that I have FI.

 

[dyeager535]

I've tried popping the column guard with a screwdriver, but to really test, you'd need to do it on a column, in a vehicle, which you don't care about gouging/scratching it. I couldn't get it apart when I tried, but again, I care about my column, a thief won't.

There are either different manufacturers of the clamshell column guard, or they were redesigned. I've seen two different ones, and the construction made a difference in how easy they could potentially be opened.

There are rivet on column guards as well, (steadfast or someone?) but I'd rather be able to pull it off when I drive.

If GM had made that column piece out of steel, this wouldn't be an issue at all.

 

[fireplug]

There are either different manufacturers of the clamshell column guard, or they were redesigned. I've seen two different ones, and the construction made a difference in how easy they could potentially be opened.

There are rivet on column guards as well, (steadfast or someone?) but I'd rather be able to pull it off when I drive.

If GM had made that column piece out of steel, this wouldn't be an issue at all.

Do you have some links, or more company names for any of these? So far I've googled and eBay'd and only found what we've collectively posted up here.

The one, as I mentioned looks good but only fits non column shift trucks. I know Pep Boys has one, but they don't show an even half decent pic, so I don't know what I'm buying, and returning it would be a real hassle given that I'm up in Canada. The only real desription is that it is chromed, which leads me to believe it isn't the same as k2mslskier, or Jason4x4 has.

Of course I realize that it isn't a sure fire fix, but with running topless and doorless this summer I'd like to do what I can.

 

[dyeager535]

Post #11 shows what I've got, or at least the style of mine. Clearly shows it will fit column shifters though.

Purchased mine from a friend in another state, so no clue of the brand. IIRC back when I got it, he said it was what Pep Boys carried, but we didn't have any around here at that time.

I suppose the chrome would be ok, as long as it LOOKS like a guard. It's the same concept as the club: (however effective IT is) hopefully thieves will notice it before an attempted theft and you won't end up with a broken window. Topless, really won't matter I suppose.

It really depends on how desperately someone wants your truck, and that likely will depend on how much your truck (or parts) are worth. In my case, I don't think anyone in their right mind would waste time getting a flat bed to steal it. If I leave the keys in the ignition with the door open, maybe lol. But seriously, for a truck that doesn't have a lot of high dollar items worth stealing on or in it, I'd feel comfortable with solely a column guard.

As shown in the pic above, 99% of the time, punching the column on the drivers side is how they are stolen. Bust the window, break the plastic there, I'm sure a thief with a little practice can be driving away in a GM car or truck with the stock column in 5 seconds. Slow that approach down, which the column guard does, and you've eliminated 99% of the people who might steal your truck.

 

[fireplug]

Yeah you are right on the same track as I am. I was thinking the same thing with the chromed unit, I want the thieves to figure it out BEFORE they smash the window or cut the soft top!

I don't just look at the cash value though. I mean how much time do you have in your truck? Mine is worth some big cash but even if you got all that money back from insurance, you're still looking at (well with the way I work) years of work!

 

[Jason4x4]

post # 11 is what I have. My dad bought it for mr at pep boys about 3 years ago.

 

[Kp]

Anything that attaches to the steering wheel itself, like the club, and the chain shown in post # 10 is completely useless.
Only an idiot would attempt to cut that chain, or the club. You dont have to. The steering wheel can be cut with 1/10 the effort with a small bolt cutter, or hacksaw.
The easiest method for stealing most GM vehicles of this era, is as was described earlier, by breaking the plastic from around the tilt or turn signal lever, and then removing the gear and starting with a screwdriver. takes all of about 30 seconds to do it. Non-tilt columns are slightly more difficult because the steering wheel will still lock, unlike the tilt column, but it really doesnt make much of a difference.
Nothing you can do will make it impossible to steal, but you can make your neighbors truck more attractive to a theif, by doing a few small things to yours.
The collar is a good idea, as is an alarm with a starter kill feature, but the most important part of that system is really the flashing LED. As long as it is visible from outside the vehicle. It will separate the joyriders from the people who do it for a living.
Disconnecting the coil wire is free, and most theives don't feel too comfortable popping the hood to diagnose a car that wont start. Its usually about getting in and away as quickly and inconspicuously as possible.

 

[Metrodps]

Anything that attaches to the steering wheel itself, like the club, and the chain shown in post # 10 is completely useless.
Only an idiot would attempt to cut that chain, or the club. You dont have to. The steering wheel can be cut with 1/10 the effort with a small bolt cutter, or hacksaw...... Its usually about getting in and away as quickly and inconspicuously as possible.

As I said if they want it they will get it. And for those who think they have to get outside! WRONG.....

You never have to get out! All controlled from inside REPO mans dream. The self loader.

 

[fireplug]

I just received an email from the one listing saying that it will not fit our trucks, apparently they had them years ago, but are no longer making them.

I've left an email for the second seller and will let you guys know what I find out.

 

[GA84K5]

while this topic has been very well covered I've learned yet another thing about my truck ( my re-entry into Chevy life after many years away ). I've had no idea what the heck the machined aluminum collar around my lower steering column was until reading this post. PO must have installed. It's about 1.5" - 2" thick and about 3"-5" wide. Seems pretty stout. But again if they want it bad enogh they will figure out how to take it. Probably would stop the quickie screw driver bunch however.

 

[fireplug]

while this topic has been very well covered I've learned yet another thing about my truck ( my re-entry into Chevy life after many years away ). I've had no idea what the heck the machined aluminum collar around my lower steering column was until reading this post. PO must have installed. It's about 1.5" - 2" thick and about 3"-5" wide. Seems pretty stout. But again if they want it bad enogh they will figure out how to take it. Probably would stop the quickie screw driver bunch however.

If you get a chance post a pic of it up. This might make for half decent reference material in the end. Any company markings or anything like that on it?

 

[mini_mull]

Why not just install a battery disconnect, starter interupt, of fuel pump kill switch? Or an alarm with a 2 way remote with a tilt senson, starter kill, glass break sensor, etc.?

 

[fireplug]

Why not just install a battery disconnect, starter interupt, of fuel pump kill switch? Or an alarm with a 2 way remote with a tilt senson, starter kill, glass break sensor, etc.?

For me personally, I'm looking for security for two distinct situations.

Everyday security while it's parked on the street. For this, I'd like a visible warning to keep the idiot kids from even bothering to smash a window or slice through the soft top. For this I believe the column lock and maybe a visible flashing LED might be a decent combo.

The second scenerio applies everyday but more importantly when camping or kayaking, ie the truck sits unattended for a couple of days. For this, yes I want a variety of hidden switches, trips, and the like, whatever continues to foil the would be thieves enough to make them move to the next truck.