Anti theft ideas....kill switch?

linx310 · Post by **linx310** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:42 am

In my area if its not bolted down or locked up there is a good chance it will get stolen and taken to Mexico.

I just need some thing to keep it from easily being driven or carried off.

I was thinking of installing a kill switch of some type and or a device that prevents the clutch from being pushed down as a deterrent.

Deino · Post by **Deino** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:25 pm

Battery on/off switches are one of your best bets. Just hide the switch somewhere out of sight to the driver or any on-looker (i.e. way up under the dash).

The great thing about these old machines is, I don't know many people our age that know how to operate one. If you didn't know the start button was on the floor, you'd likely never find it. So unless someone with experience decides to steal one, it may take them a while to figure it out. And then you'd have to observe the gear pattern or else you'd run the thing in reverse. When I bought my old CJ-5, the PO's friend got in it to help load it on a trailer and immediately backed it into a metal dumpster.

MODIFIED · Post by **MODIFIED** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:58 pm

the M38A1 also has a fuel shut-off valve on the driver side of the radiator resting above the frame. I occasionally entertain the idea of sticking the trans case shift in neutral should someone figure out how to start her up. make sure your parking brake is engaged of course. This confuses everyone.

linx310 · Post by **linx310** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:19 pm

I already have a battery cut off but its not hidden.

What I was thinking about doing was getting a switch to ground out the distributor as described here:

A simple discrete method involves grounding the ignition points through a toggle switch hidden underneath the dash out of sight. Hook a wire to the points side of the coil, run the wire to the switch, ground the other side of the switch. That will do it.

citabra · Post by **citabra** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:40 pm

There is always the military's method of security which consisted of 1/2 inch chain attached to the floor, wrapped around the steering wheel spoke and locked with a 5200 series padlock. You can still start it and drive off but steering is a little tricky.

linx310 · Post by **linx310** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:52 pm

There is always the military's method of security which consisted of 1/2 inch chain attached to the floor, wrapped around the steering wheel spoke and locked with a 5200 series padlock. You can still start it and drive off but steering is a little tricky.

The thieves around here just cut the steering wheel and then slip the chains off.

I wonder if a "shell" could be made that fits around the clutch pedal and is shaped in a way you need a key to remove it. And the only way to get it off would be a grinder.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:54 pm

linx310 wrote:
There is always the military's method of security which consisted of 1/2 inch chain attached to the floor, wrapped around the steering wheel spoke and locked with a 5200 series padlock. You can still start it and drive off but steering is a little tricky.
The thieves around here just cut the steering wheel and then slip the chains off.

I wonder if a "shell" could be made that fits around the clutch pedal and is shaped in a way you need a key to remove it. And the only way to get it off would be a grinder.

Thats not a bad Idea. I bet someone could make some money if they made something like that.

oreo3156 · Post by **oreo3156** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:51 pm

Wiring in a toggle switch that either sends the power to the horn or the solenoid works well. When in one position, try and start it, the horn just blows.

Either that or get "The Boot" like off The Simpsons lol.

idiocrates · Post by **idiocrates** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:50 pm

I would imagine if the area is really that bad no amount of deterents are going to be fool proof. I think if was me I'd incorporate all of these suggestions into the system......main battery disconnect.....with a supervisory set of contacts to close a ground to the coil.....and energize a lead through the ignition switch to the horn. That might prevent starting the jeep.....but as light as they are what's to prevent them from hand rolling it onto a trailer......so......also chain the steering wheel to the floor through a boot that fits over the clutch.......and just for grins......get the biggest chain and lock you can find and chain the rear of the frame, axle, and springs to the biggest tree around.

And don't help them out either. Store the tow bar as far away from the jeep as is practical and never never ever just leave it on the jeep. Always shut off the fuel.....or leave it with an empty fuel tank.

We have the same problem with tractors in this area and I don;t think anyone has ever come up with the total solution. Bad thing here is......if they discover they can't steal it they either burn it or trash it. Its kind of a no win situation.

linx310 · Post by **linx310** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:35 pm

We have the same problem with tractors in this area and I don;t think anyone has ever come up with the total solution

Yeap I live in Hays county Texas and its a big problem here...heck we even have people stealing hay.

My bosses place got hit and they took $10,000 worth of equipment...they cut the fence and came around the side of the property to get and you could tell the trailered it off.

kenperkins · Post by **kenperkins** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:26 pm

another Army trick thats out there is to weld a short chain to the underside of the dash and weld a link to the gear shift, lock the two together. i think the picture was in AAW 1 or 2

Post by **wesk** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:26 am

What I was thinking about doing was getting a switch to ground out the distributor as described here:

Quote:
A simple discrete method involves grounding the ignition points through a toggle switch hidden underneath the dash out of sight. Hook a wire to the points side of the coil, run the wire to the switch, ground the other side of the switch. That will do it.

Before you get labeled "Here's your sign!" think about what happens to your coil when you forget and leave the ignition on and the points just happen to be close! It fries the coil. Well grounding the points will fry the coil when a thief tries to start it.

If you want to disable the ignition you cut wire #12 under the dash and add a pair of long wires to a hidden on/off switch. Tape over the cut and the two splices so they go unoticed. When you leave the jeep just trip the switch open and voila no power to the coil.

Cacti_Ken · Post by **Cacti_Ken** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:45 am

If you are leaving the jeep unattended over night out in the open, take the steering wheel off too that way it can't be steered if it gets towed with a tow strap. My steering wheel is easy to get off so I don't have a problem doing that. I also have a hidden battery switch.

jeeper50 · Post by **jeeper50** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:15 am

Remove dist cap rotor, most theives don't carry a spare.

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:01 pm

The easiest is to pull the Dizzy cap off and take the rotor. Put it in your pocket. That way when it won't start in the AM-----Oh yes, I now remember! I wish I had done this to my '69 Jag roadster in Denver when they stole it and totaled it! No crook I ever heard of carries a spare rotor! Yes you get entry damage, but that is pale in comparison to what I endured!