Almost lost the Tahoe today...

[S33k3r]

I forgot to add, I use a Club on all my vehicles -all the time. I wonder how effective that is? I expect it to be a fairly decent deterrent.

I believe you can find video on YouTube of this very thing. Something you might consider, though, is Lok-Itt:

They are about $150ish on eBay. I'm seriously considering it myself, but I need it for 3 vehicles; that, plus the alarms are bank breaking.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I believe you can find video on YouTube of this very thing. Something you might consider, though, is Lok-Itt:

They are about $150ish on eBay. I'm seriously considering it myself, but I need it for 3 vehicles; that, plus the alarms are bank breaking.

It seems ok, but what if you need to get into the column? Say you need to replace the ignition switch, or the turn signal/cruise control stalk? I think you'd be screwed. Great concept, but it's a little too permanent for my liking--talking about the breakaway bolts. I never even knew they existed.

 

[Sam Harris]

The weakest link with the club is the steering wheel itself. Literally takes 10 secs to cut through the rim of the steering wheel with a hacksaw blade. The club will slide right off.

Yeah. I know they can do that. Just wondering how much of a deterrent it is. I know if they really want your vehicle, they’ll get it. Just hoping to stop the vast majority. I’m thinking I need a good alarm. I was also considering Lo Jack. I didn’t see any opinions on that.

 

[Thouse]

Alright so maybe I am just super naive, or maybe I am a country bumpkin but dude cars just do not get stolen around here. It is mind bending for me to read about the hoops you guys jump through to secure you cars.

I am not saying anything about it wrong, in fact you are better for it. But damn I just cant seem to understand on this one.

 

[Sam Harris]

It seems ok, but what if you need to get into the column? Say you need to replace the ignition switch, or the turn signal/cruise control stalk? I think you'd be screwed. Great concept, but it's a little too permanent for my liking--talking about the breakaway bolts. I never even knew they existed.

Yeah, that’s not for me. It looks like shit too. Do not like that. Kludgy AF.

 

[DougAMiller]

I don't know if all trim levels of the GMT800 had factory alarm systems, but mine does. I thought that between that and being conscious of the environments that I park in, I would be OK, and until now it has been. I really thought our parking garage would be safe enough if you didn't park in the dark corners. I always parked in a space that was well-lit and highly visible, but covid has left the suite that looks out on where I park empty, so there wasn't anyone looking out the windows by the garage.

 

[S33k3r]

It seems ok, but what if you need to get into the column? Say you need to replace the ignition switch, or the turn signal/cruise control stalk? I think you'd be screwed. Great concept, but it's a little too permanent for my liking--talking about the breakaway bolts. I never even knew they existed.

You get replacement breakaway bolts. Then you drill out the existing ones and make whatever repair is required. Then you reassemble.

 

[S33k3r]

Yeah, that’s not for me. It looks like shit too. Do not like that. Kludgy AF.

I don't like it either, really. But the damage they do to the column covers and column itself could make it worthwhile. Plus, one of my vehicles has a black column.

 

[S33k3r]

Alright so maybe I am just super naive, or maybe I am a country bumpkin but dude cars just do not get stolen around here. It is mind bending for me to read about the hoops you guys jump through to secure you cars.

I am not saying anything about it wrong, in fact you are better for it. But damn I just cant seem to understand on this one.

They knocked out the locks on both doors, which seems really stupid to me -- knock one out and then use the lock from the inside, <sigh>. They also destroyed both steering columns. The one on our Sierra was so bad that the key would not longer turn the ignition, and the column shifter wouldn't even shift into neutral.

Oh! And this happened in my home driveway, on a relatively busy street, 50 - 100 feet from a street light.

Knocking the door locks out and then opening with a screwdriver defeats the factory alarm because the factory alarm thinks the door was opened with a key. THIS is why a secondary alarm is necessary, and a kill switch of some sort is needed to keep them from driving away.

None of this would stop a prepared/determined thief, but you are just trying to slow someone like that down, or convince them there are easier targets than your vehicle.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I installed the Jimmy Jammer on all 4 door lock tumblers. I also have a Viper alarm with the armed light visibly flashing in my windshield. Hopefully that'll be enough.

 

[DougAMiller]

I installed the Jimmy Jammer on all 4 door lock tumblers. I also have a Viper alarm with the armed light visibly flashing in my windshield. Hopefully that'll be enough.

I probably will install the Jimmi Jammer. That might well have been enough to keep them out. I'm sure I still would have some door damage, but it might have stopped the rest.

 

[Sam Harris]

None of this would stop a prepared/determined thief, but you are just trying to slow someone like that down, or convince them there are easier targets than your vehicle.

Exactly. I think just as with home security, layers are key.

 

[Sam Harris]

I installed the Jimmy Jammer on all 4 door lock tumblers. I also have a Viper alarm with the armed light visibly flashing in my windshield. Hopefully that'll be enough.

Yeah I think I should install the Jimmy jammers too..

What about the rear hatch?

 

[Doubeleive]

just remember if you ever loose or lock your keys in the truck you will have to slimjim the rear doors to gain access or do like most thieves and just break a window

 

[DougAMiller]

Yeah I think I should install the Jimmy jammers too..

What about the rear hatch?

Not sure how difficult the rear hatch is to crack, but punching out the driver's door lock (mine doesn't have lock cylinders on the other doors or rear window button) and then popping the lock is described all over the internet. Hopefully if the common method doesn't work, they'll move on to something else. As S33k3r said, if they are determined it will be difficult to stop them, just trying to slow them down and foil their practiced method.

 

[S33k3r]

I installed the Jimmy Jammer on all 4 door lock tumblers. I also have a Viper alarm with the armed light visibly flashing in my windshield. Hopefully that'll be enough.

I opted not to install the Jimmy Jammer because I think it is less arduous to replace lock cylinders that have been knocked out than to have them punch through the door sheet metal.

 

[DougAMiller]

I opted not to install the Jimmy Jammer because I think it is less arduous to replace lock cylinders that have been knocked out than to have them punch through the door sheet metal.

True, but if they can punch out the lock cylinder, then they are in, and what other damage are they going to do in addition to the value of items stolen from inside. The total repair bill on mine was over $2300, and the door was only about $400 of that. I'd rather try to keep them out with possibly more repair work required on the door. All this said with the understanding that if they are really determined to get in they will, but part of the reason for attacking it this way is that it defeats the factory alarm. Other methods may not. So to me, it seems like a reasonable countermeasure.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yeah I think I should install the Jimmy jammers too..

What about the rear hatch?

They had one available, but I didn't get it at the time. There is one available tho.

True, but if they can punch out the lock cylinder, then they are in, and what other damage are they going to do in addition to the value of items stolen from inside. The total repair bill on mine was over $2300, and the door was only about $400 of that. I'd rather try to keep them out with possibly more repair work required on the door. All this said with the understanding that if they are really determined to get in they will, but part of the reason for attacking it this way is that it defeats the factory alarm. Other methods may not. So to me, it seems like a reasonable countermeasure.

I agree with you 1,000%. I'd rather repair a door or door lock then give them the opportunity of getting in or taking my ride. I also have a shock sensor so it'll go off if it's jolted or shaken(Viper alarm).

 

[Sam Harris]

They had one available, but I didn't get it at the time. There is one available tho.

I agree with you 1,000%. I'd rather repair a door or door lock then give them the opportunity of getting in or taking my ride. I also have a shock sensor so it'll go off if it's jolted or shaken(Viper alarm).

Absolutely. Keep the truck and fix it, but don’t lose your baby..

 

[S33k3r]

True, but if they can punch out the lock cylinder, then they are in, and what other damage are they going to do in addition to the value of items stolen from inside. The total repair bill on mine was over $2300, and the door was only about $400 of that. I'd rather try to keep them out with possibly more repair work required on the door. All this said with the understanding that if they are really determined to get in they will, but part of the reason for attacking it this way is that it defeats the factory alarm. Other methods may not. So to me, it seems like a reasonable countermeasure.

Yeah, I am on the fence which is why I haven't installed them. Your reasoning is TOTALLY sound -- just not sure which route I want to take, even though NOT taking a route means I'm taking a route, <sigh>.