Thread: Anti theft systems

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In light of some recent posts about stolen rods I have been considering the Lojak locator system. Anybody have this system installed on their car(s) comments??? I have presently a fuel shutoff valve and ignition cutoff switch but that's about it.

Not on mine, but a friend in Corona, Ca. has it on his '59 Elky. Car was stolen last spring. It was found in about 20 minutes before any damage had been done. Car theft isn't a big deal around here, we kind of stick to old fashioned anti-theft systems!!!!!!

We are thinking about Lojak for our rods. You are right about an increase in the amount of stolen cars we are hearing about. How someone can steal a '32 Ford roadster at 2PM, drive it away, and no one sees anything is beyond me.

I understand the cost of lojak is about $ 1000, not real cheap, but cheaper than losing the whole car. I saw a program on "Cops" one night, and they found a very expensive air compressor (one of the big construction site ones on wheels) inside a garage, because the lojak was sending out a signal.

Anything we can do to protect ourselves against these lowlifes is good.


Don

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Not on mine, but a friend in Corona, Ca. has it on his '59 Elky. Car was stolen last spring. It was found in about 20 minutes before any damage had been done. Car theft isn't a big deal around here, we kind of stick to old fashioned anti-theft systems!!!!!!

I kinda like the trunk monkey myself.

Don, that ingersoll compressor you saw on "Cops" that night had the same system we put on all of our compressors and skid steers. Works great and we picked up the Lojack for $550 a piece. Not bad compared to replacing the Rod if it's stolen.

Old dogs may get alzheimers so have some ham with you . No but its really good they cant get it. Theft is getting bad and if that dont get it they damage it trying .

Either Bobby just called us hams (fitting) or old dogs......or is that Alzheimer's kicking in?....

LOL

I'm not sure about the details in installing Lojack units on hot rods, but I can give you some details about the units we install at our "Lojack Authorized" motorcycle dealership. As a company, Lojack is very selective about the type of vehicles that they will allow us to install their units on. For example no ATV's, no Dirt Bikes, no Utility vehicles (Kawasaki Mules, Yamaha Rhinos, etc) can be equipped with Lojacks. They only support the sale of Lojacks in major METRO U.S. population areas, such as Los Angeles. The units are radio frequency based and not satelite (gps) based. This is the reason that the commercial air compressor was found on the Cops Show. Satelite based systems like XM and Serius radio. is based on a line of sight system and will not work if you cover the stolen vehicle. You can't hide a stolen vehicle in a container, trailer, or garage with radio based Lojack system. They require us to hide the system "deep" inside the vehicle to the point that you would need to "take the motorcycle apart" to find the unit. Most likely the reason they will not allow the dirt vehicles is that there is not many places to hide the system compared to on a street bike like a Goldwing. Also dirt riding areas are not covered as well by police with the Lojack tracking systems as compared to city areas. I was very impressed with the all the answers they gave to my many questions during our training. The one thing that I liked is that they have taken the time and expense to develope their system WITH the local police departments in the areas of the country that they market their systems. This system is not going to cover the entire U.S. but it's a good system for the Metro areas and they have a very high recovery rate because they are selective about how, what kind of vehicle, and where the units are installed.

...I do know that they do Hot Rods cuz I called them about it. A $999 one time fee & they would like the car to be finished before they install it. They also give you something that you carry with you when your driving your car. If someone else drives/tows your car away & they don't have this thing {think it's a card or chip or something} the Lojac notifies up to five things between your; cell phone, home phone, e-mails you, text messages you &/or your pager. So if someone moves your car without your permission your notified. The areas they cover are listed on their web site. Another nice thing is that Police cars have the actual tracking units right in their cars. Where as on, for instance, on a Clifford the Clifford Company tracks your car & then notifies police. When I sold cars I went on a Lojac demo. I rode in the 'chase car' & we found the 'not really stollen car' in like 5 minutes......... Bill

After my insurance company significantly increase the values on my 34, I removed all of the anti-theft items, left the doors unlocked in hotel parking lots and still no one takes it! Guess not even low lifes want old Mopars.


Kidding aside, lojack is pricey stuff, but most insurers give discounts to people who have it on their cars. And it is a good value if you cherish your pride and joy. I wonder if they charge more for the product in different areas? A guy I know put it on his new Beemer at a cost of about $600. But then where we are theft is not a major problem. I usually don't lock the cars at night and have been known to leave the garage door open all night.

we have Lojak on my wife's civic since out here they are popular for theft. haven't had to use it yet, to be honest I don't even recall what we are supposed to do if it gets stolen. they told us at the dealer that they don't even know the location of the lojak unit, the company doesn't tell them where they install it in the car.

My two personal favorite theft deterrents, in order are:

1. Trunk monkey, because it gets the job done but doesn't destroy your car

2. James Bond's explosive system (can't remember which movie). Because I'd rather the car be destroyed, and the person stealing it, than have somebody else enjoying my stuff.

Red

I guess a question I still have in my mind is......do the professional car thieves anticipate the Lojak and take steps to circumvent the system? Can the system be defeated and have the pros figured it out? We've all heard the saying..... if a pro wants your car he's gonna have it and there's nothing you can do to prevent it.

If someone wants your car bad enough all they have to do is jack it up and put two axle dollies under it and tow it away. They can defeat most alarms and then they can strip it elsewhere. A friend of mine had his double walled concrete block garage destroyed in an attempt to steal his Harley. They got it.

Hahahahaha........trunk monkey. I had forgotten all about that one.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y


Don