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Thoughts on this device???

British Slave said:
Don't need all that, a wrecker does it in two steps.
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That's true, but statistics show that not that many cars are stolen that way.
over 50% of all stolen cars, the owner left the keys in the ignition.

So the majority are a crime of opportunity....the theives using wreckers are pre-meditating...planning and waiting.

I don't plan on ever leaving my truck unnatended...my biggest concern is having it stolen out of my garage.
 
Chief Brody said:
I'd like to see one of those column guards....why did they quit making them?

What did you say the manufacturer was....that would be easy enough to keep with you all the time.
but now days we have cordless cutting tools...will they withstand that?
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http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254354&highlight=column there is a pic in that thread. Ive got one for K20, IIRC I bought it on here, someone bought out all that pepboys had and resold them. Anyway, I can say it would take a solid 10mins with a cordless sawzall to get it off. I really hope I never lose the key to mine. Honestly you could probably swap the column faster than cut it off.
 
Amazingly, the steadfast link still works, so I suspect they still make it. I personally don't like "modifying" my stuff that permanently, but it is something I wouldn't have to worry about: http://www.steadfastautosecurity.com/steadfast.pdf

Huh. They are still around, at least in ebay in decent quantity: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-buick-ca...ies&hash=item19dfe71be6&vxp=mtr#ht_934wt_1399

Here too, but more http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/44093/COLUMN+PRO-GARD+STEERING%E2%80%88COLLAR+LOCK+%237007.html

Honestly a piece of steel tack welded around the column in the vulnerable spot would do about the same thing, except not be as visible.
 
Well the steadfast one bolts around the column with tamper proof screws IIRC. The ebay link is to what I have. It is a clamp that you put around the column when you park, it completely covers the lock cylinder so it cant be popped out.
 
As do I. Not a real fan of having to remove it and have it flop around the truck while driving, but it does give me peace of mind when I have to leave it somewhere. I've seen way too many stripped vehicles in the wrecking yards, with the busted column. I vow that won't happen to mine.

Wonder if you could install the steadfast without the key portion? I've never tried it, but is it that "easy" to turn the lock cylinder in the column? The screw that holds it in place is pretty large, it would seem fairly hard to rotate the lock cylinder against it, even with the plastic housing.
 
FWIW of the 5 people I know that have had their cars stolen, 4 of them were stolen by a flatbed.
 
Those are bad odds. Were they trucks? If stolen by flatbed, I'd suspect those are more valuable vehicles. I think with our trucks, more often than not, some lowlifes see your easy to steal truck parked there, has a few parts they want, so steal it, trash it, take the parts they want, and abandon whats left somewhere.

Friends dad had his '87 Buick GN stolen, never found the car. No idea where there is a market for a complete, stolen GN, but it was definitely not a hatchet smash column job.

The problem with this vintage GM's will always be that you can steal a "stock" one with nothing more than a hammer, and if there is no protection, it's a 5 second job. A hammer gets you into the car/truck, and acts as the ignition key. Nothing more needed.
 
I am getting a Lok-itt 301 column guard. That will at least help prevent the easiest way to steal them.
 
Definitely let us know what you think about it. I know one of the complaints about the collar I have is that the edges wear the paint on the column. It has some rubber on it, they don't always stay on though. Not a big deal for me (I had to paint my column anyway) but I'm sure if you had a nice column, you'd want to make sure there was some kind of barrier between the collar and column.
 
dyeager535 said:
Definitely let us know what you think about it. I know one of the complaints about the collar I have is that the edges wear the paint on the column. It has some rubber on it, they don't always stay on though. Not a big deal for me (I had to paint my column anyway) but I'm sure if you had a nice column, you'd want to make sure there was some kind of barrier between the collar and column.
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He is including some kind of tape that makes a cushion...I haven't painted my steering column yet either...
 
It fits pretty good...





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2013-08-26_1_zps315cf963.jpg
 
Does that thing cover the "weak spot" on the column? :dunno:
 
Not as far as I'm concerned, but i have taken my column apart enough to know it really well.

The shaft that is pushed by the cylinder runs the whole length of the column on top and can be pushed from anywhere once the key cylinder is broken.

But hopefully I'm wrong and someone will enlighten me.
 
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cadillac-Repair-806/2008/8/GM-Tilt-telescopic-steering.htm In the picture (which can be clicked on for larger view) it shows what you see in a stolen GM car. It's the newer style column, but similar construction outside of the bulge for the wiper/dimmer lever.

Someone who has busted one of the lock cylinders needs to clue us in as to how hard it is. I've twisted the "ears" off of one, but that isn't a major feat. The way the lock cylinder is retained in the column, without a specialized tool I'm not sure you can get enough force to get the retaining/lock screw into the plastic to allow the whole cylinder to rotate. The screw/slot in the lock cylinder that prevents that movement is pretty substantial IMO, at least in the context of trying to rotate it with just a flat blade screwdriver. The cutout in this cylinder (bottom of cylinder in the picture, just to the right of the plastic tab that is sticking out) is how at least the later style lock cylinders are retained, the screw fills that whole cutout http://www.google.com/imgres?q=gm+s...159&start=0&ndsp=45&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0,i:109

What is pictured in that link is by far the fastest and easiest way to steal a GM vehicle of this era, which is all I've ever seen in the way of cars that were stolen by defeating the column in some manner. If anyone still doubts the method, go ahead and use google images, searching "gm steering column stolen".
 
Then the answer is yes...the Lok-Itt does cover the said area....what I didn't show was the other side....the other side has a thick steel arm that covers the ignition and goes through the steering wheel:

2013-08-28_zps0c8425a9.jpg


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I just wish it would have also locked the gear shift
 
I can either leave the Lok-Itt on permanently and just remove the ignition cylinder cover, Or I can remove the whole thing.

I'm thinking I may just leave it on after I get the column painted.
 
I'd agree. My clamshell cover is just another part that hangs around inside the truck getting in the way 100% of the time you drive it. :)

Without the lock/cylinder cover, that piece won't look too obtrusive while you are in it.
 
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