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Do you guys have alarms and/or proximity alarms installed on your rigs? Unfortunately I have a garage thats big enough for tools and little else, so my CJ has to live outside. Is there a market for stolen CJ's? Have any of you had your Jeeps stolen? Should I spend the money on it?

I know alot of HOnda Civics that have walked off, but to steal my CJ you would have to have a flatbed or trailer to begin with, I don't know, ideas?
:dunno:
If I feel at risk I usually just pop the hood and disconnect the wires off the starter solenoid. At least it will slow somebody down. But where I come from, anyone stealing a redneck vehicle should know that its owner will come hunting for them. Not to mention half the time my Jeep isn't even running enough to drive it forward 5 feet haha...
If you are worried about it you can run an electric fuel pump with a hidden kill swith. Outside of the jeep being flat bedded away this would prevent any theft. I did this in a couple of my cars back in college when I was paying hockety in the ghettos of DC. It was attempted, but never successfully completed.
you could always pull off the coil to dist. wire...simple, quick, and they probably won't happen to have one in their pocket.
proximity alarm? no.

hidden kill switch? yes.


one of the neat things I had seen (to keep it from being driven away), was tabs welded onto the clutch and brake pedals, and a lock to hook them together. a bit more work, and probably easier to just do a kill switch.

Hoss
I had a quick disconnect steering wheel for a while, that the PO on, until it broke. I have seen better ones at race shops. It was easy to use at home, but the down side is what do with it when else where. Atleast when I would carry my motorcycle helmet through the grocery store I could put food in it.
The plastic piece that holds my shifter on is broke, so I throw it in reverse and pull the shifter out.
The plastic piece that holds my shifter on is broke, so I throw it in reverse and pull the shifter out.

My old CJ did that, sorta, I was driving and the shifter came out because the collar was loose and the pin came out and fell into the tranny somehow. It was fun, I was like 17 so of course panicked as if I had lost the brakes or something. It was ridiculous, but funny.
I have had a 94 YJ stolen, they are rarely recoved whole. I now have a hidden kill switch. Don't know how good it'll work but makes me feel better.
By the way I still have a removable face cd head unit outta a 94 YJ if anyone's interested
Alarm? I'm hoping the 'Overhaulin' crew will take my CJ5 one night while I'm asleep and bring it back in a week all finished....
Heh, if your CJ is like mine just put a battery disconnet switch inline with the main battery cable. I don't do it to prevent it being stolen, I do it because I have a pretty big current draw somewhere that will run my battery down overnight if I don't disconnect it, and I haven't had time to dig in and find it yet! :laugh:
one of the neat things I had seen (to keep it from being driven away), was tabs welded onto the clutch and brake pedals, and a lock to hook them together. a bit more work, and probably easier to just do a kill switch.
Hoss

Been on my list of must do items.

Also looking at products like this:
http://www.rmtracking.com/gpsproducts/rmtrovergps.html

only problem is that thieves can buy stuff to block the signal.

I'll also be doing the battery disconnect as well as hidden kill switch and fuel pump switch.
One thing I have seen which is kinda funny, but does work, is to get a fuel line valve and attach it just above the skidplate, here is a link to a similiar one I saw,

Nothing worse to a thief then to not have a vehicle start and run on correctly on the getaway.

http://www.starboardsupply.com/product_info.php/products_id/3016318
I think a perfect deterrent would be a hidden switch or disconnect that is hid under the dash. I could be mistaken. But something that you can reach up under the dash and feel for, that a theif wouldnt expect, and would slow them down.

But how would a thief steal a Jeep??? What is all involved in "hotwiring" a jeep? Does jamming a screwdriver in the ignition do anything?
I was thinking of installing a covered rocker switch in the bottom of my tuffey that would disconnect the coil or starter siloniod, lock the tuffey a walla. Anyone ever done this or have better things to disconnect. jc
What's the best thing to put the disconnect on? Battery? Coil? starter? ignition module? I like the idea, but not quite sure what would be best
One thing I have seen which is kinda funny, but does work, is to get a fuel line valve and attach it just above the skidplate, here is a link to a similiar one I saw,

Nothing worse to a thief then to not have a vehicle start and run on correctly on the getaway.

http://www.starboardsupply.com/product_info.php/products_id/3016318

Thanks for the link, I've been looking for that valve.

Jeeps are pretty easy to hotwire. I myself have been thinking of putting a relay to break the wires coming from the distributor to the ICM. They can run hot wires all they want but if the ICM isn't getting a signal then it aint going to run. I'll put the switch in with the cigarette lighter or a magnetic switch activated by a refrigerator buddy on the dash someplace. :)


Lately I've been pulling my choke all the way out. Figure no one will know what a choke is anyway. My jeep will only run for a couple of minuets and then die with the choke on.
I recall my 90 Wrangler Sahara having a chip (of sorts ) under the steering wheel that I would pull whenever I wasn't in the Jeep. I believe it was wired into the ignition and pretty sure it was stock. Now that I have a CJ I've been hoping to find something similar.

If nothing it was piece of mind. I would lock the wheel, pull the chip, and go...

Unfortunately, I don't know what it was called or much else about it, the 90 Wrangler wasn't as spohiscated as one would expect, but that was one neat feature.
I recall my 90 Wrangler Sahara having a chip (of sorts ) under the steering wheel that I would pull whenever I wasn't in the Jeep. I believe it was wired into the ignition and pretty sure it was stock. Now that I have a CJ I've been hoping to find something similar.

If nothing it was piece of mind. I would lock the wheel, pull the chip, and go...

Unfortunately, I don't know what it was called or much else about it, the 90 Wrangler wasn't as spohiscated as one would expect, but that was one neat feature.


those are very common aftermarket units put in at dealerships. My dad has one in his Dakota, and they work great, unless you lose the damn chip.

Hoss
I have a keyed kill switch in the dash right above the left speaker so it's a pain to get to. I have a 200 amp constaint on relay connected to one end is a wire off of the starter solenoid and the other side is the two wires off the starter solenoid. With the switch off it cuts the power from the batteries. I have three wires connected to the batt clock, radio, and power to the switch. and the hood is lockable I think the whole thing cost me about 30 dollars. But if someone is going to steal it they're going to steal it... it's just going to take them awhile to get to mine lol
I was thinking of installing a covered rocker switch in the bottom of my tuffey that would disconnect the coil or starter siloniod, lock the tuffey a walla. Anyone ever done this or have better things to disconnect. jc

Thats is a great idea, the Tuffy is hard to get into and who would think an ignition kill switch or fuel pump switch is in the Tuffy!!:2thumbsup:
It is somewhat of a PAIN, but removing the Rotor from the distributor is a sneaky shutdown idea. As long as the thief isn't using a RollBack wrecker or some such!

As for the 'Overhauling' goobs, my wife has been strictly warned that I will press charges on everyone involved in RUINING any vehicle of mine like I have seen them to do! Chip Foose can keep his Ghetto Wheels for someone else...

Bruce
Yes, CJs get stolen. First by regular theives because if your topless, they are already past the hassel of door locks. Second by "off road" theives because they will strip the Jeep. Common items stolen are the larger (EXPENSIVE) tires and rim combos, high end upgrades like an Atlas II or winches, and or harddoors and interior groups.
Yes, alot of us run alarms. I also use a prox sensor under my console lid. If I arm that zone, they walk up and horn starts honking at 4 feet out, then, if they reach past the door area, twin sirens go off.
If they REALLY want it, its gone. Just slow them down the most you can and deter all the less determined ones.
Fix any problem areas too.....meaning my buddies CJ was stolen because his ignition switch was worn out and no key was needed to turn it...DUH. He got it back ONLY because he gave chase in the wifes car and called police on cell with directions/locations. The thief blew out three leaf springs and a rim though.
Yes, CJs get stolen. First by regular theives because if your topless, they are already past the hassel of door locks. Second by "off road" theives because they will strip the Jeep. Common items stolen are the larger (EXPENSIVE) tires and rim combos, high end upgrades like an Atlas II or winches, and or harddoors and interior groups.
Yes, alot of us run alarms. I also use a prox sensor under my console lid. If I arm that zone, they walk up and horn starts honking at 4 feet out, then, if they reach past the door area, twin sirens go off. If they REALLY want it, its gone. Just slow them down the most you can and deter all the less determined ones.
Fix any problem areas too.....meaning my buddies CJ was stolen because his ignition switch was worn out and no key was needed to turn it...DUH. He got it back ONLY because he gave chase in the wifes car and called police on cell with directions/locations. The thief blew out three leaf springs and a rim though.


I am sorry, but I couldn't let that go. I HATE when people put these obnoxious "proximity" alarms on their vehicle. Like they own the parking space next to you or something, so every person that parks next to them has to hear their damn horn blaring.

Who even glances in the same direction when we hear a car alarm going off anymore? 99% of the time it is either a "Mr. Proximity" or some inept buffoon that can't figure out how to unlock his doors without setting off his alarm.

I used to go out of my way to set these stupid things off. Now that I am married with kids, I usually just call them a nasty name under my breath and move along.

I swear it is as annoying as the jerks that park their Quad cab truck diagonally across 3 parking spaces so noone can door ding them.
Ahhh, ride the harley through a parking garage, a true symphony of alarm!
Ahhh, ride the harley through a parking garage, a true symphony of alarm!

Oh yes, that is what my old Mustang is for, with the 302 bored +30 and the racing cam (which has been likened to a stick with boulders on it instead of a cam) My favorite past time was to drive through the hoity toity cherry creek mall and set-off the entire place. Damn I miss that thing.
I remember reading about an ignition "magnetic reed switch" that only works when a magnet is placed in the correct "hidden spot" on the dash, and then it engage and allow the jeep to crank. Don't know if this works or not, but pretty creative. Here is the info I found and the link.

The below is by Kurt 301 from the TJ Forum....
"I went to radioshack and got a 12 v magnetic reed switch that is in the normally open position. I dont even know what these things are normally used for but they have them there in a little cabinet so I got one. The switch has a transistor on one side with two wires on it also but you can tell which ones coem from the switch and which ones go to the transistor so simply cut the ones from the transistor off as close as you can. This switch a nice small package that can only be activated by exposing it to a magnetic field which draws the two contacts together inside the glass tube they are incased in. right beside them they also had some good magnets. the reed switch about $1.49 and the magnet was like $2.00 I think. do not straighten the wires that come out of the end during the next step because the magnetic part of the swtch is in a glass tube and straightening the wires will break the tube and render the switch useless. so leave them bent like they come. take two pieces of wire about three feet long and solder them to the switch then wrap the switch and wire connections in elctrical tape for strength so the weight of the wires dont pull away from the switch. Then cut the single wire to your clutch safety switch and wire this inline with it. if you have an automatic you can run it through the ignition but I'm not sure how since I have a standard. once you get it wired tuck it in somewhere behind one of the plastic panels on your dash beside your steering wheel column, preferably on the left side for ease of access. I drilled a small hole in the lip on the backside of my dash panel that holds the retaining clips for the panel and zip tied it there. now you have a truly hidden disable switch as it cant be seen at all. I keep the magnet I bought on top of my roll bar after all its a magnet and sticks to the roll bar quite nicely and assures that I will never loose it. any good magnet will do and the one I purchased at radio shack was a 1 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch rectanglular shaped neo dimium rare earth magnet. whenever I start my jeep I take the magnet hold it up to the panel and turn the key. it starts every time. if I try to turn it on with out the magnet held to the right spot on the panel, it does nothing just like trying to start it with out the clutch in. I have yet to have any problem with it and have been running that way for 8 months now. So unless you are a car thief who is smart enough to bring a magnet with you or inquisitive enough to find mine on top of the roll bar in the dark and intuitive enough to hold the magnet to the right spot on my panel and turn the ignition at the same time, or you have enough time to jack up my steering column and get under my dash and rewire my clutch safety switch wires back together. you are not getting my jeep "

Link to the thread: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?referrerid=59358&t=393790
I did the hidden switch thing, with no extra keys or magnets necessary. Not sure it is the most effective, but a 100% improvement over nothing!

The Tuffy Box located switch also sounds like a good one, but I have yet to get myself one of those, and it probably wouldn't work the same in my Gym Bag between the seats! :laugh:

My $.02...
Well. I guess in my defense, I should say that I agree with you (roundlitefan). Most prox are set too sensitive and are armed in the wrong places or times. Thats why I said "if I want to arm that zone" which I only do if the top and doors are off AND I can't watch it from where I am AND I park on the far side of the parking lot away from all the other usable spaces. Most the time I can see it and have only used it once or twice in years.....its the little red blinking light on the center console that does the real magic to keeping the Jeep safe. And I also agree that no one cares about an alarm going off.....honestly, my alarm is for me to hear, not the thief. I cut to first 3 sounds/tones of one siern and the other is a odd sound.....when my Jeep goes off, it sounds like no other alarm out there and I know its mine right away.
I have the kill switch under the Dash but I also park my car in front of it.
The Jepp parks in the carport which has large stell colums on the side so out the front is the only direction to go. Move car then steal Jeep, if you find the switch :2thumbsup:
Integrating the CJ or any other vehicle into your exisiting house alarm system is possible with a battery operated wireless sensor, but that would work only at home or when in range.

I think the Tuffy box switch connected to the power lead to my TBI computer will do the trick for me. I think that would fool most anybody but you guys reading this tread LOL

Jim
I was thinking of installing a covered rocker switch in the bottom of my tuffey that would disconnect the coil or starter siloniod, lock the tuffey a walla. Anyone ever done this or have better things to disconnect. jc

I'm still on the fences about what to switch. The coil, starter, relay, ignition box? What do you guys think. I have stock ignition with a blaster coil. JC