Anybody ever hook a hidden kill switch to keep somebody from "borrowing" your truck?

I was thinking of doing this using one of the old style dimmer switches that use to be mounted on the floorboards for high beam,,,, ( for you younger guys, this was the norm back in the 60's and earlier)

Any thoughts, or better, easier ideas, to acomplish the same thing,,,, just a peace of mind idea I've been kicking around.

 

My sons last car was a 1998 Civic SI black loaded. It had been stolen once before and was/is the number one stolen car. As it doesn't use transponder encoder keys so I installed a kill sw to the fuel pump. I just used an old heater sw and hid it between the center console and the back bracing. If you didn't know it was there you would never find it. The "trick" is..... you actually have to use it for it to work.
With our trucks just killing the LP pump might not work as the VP could still suck fuel if it's primed. Killing the starter solenoid would not work either as it could be jumped or even push started if a standard trans. Some remove the starter relay, even if you take all the relays out the thief might have one. So in conclusion I think for it to work you have to kill power to the ECM or a fuel shut off vlv that is motor driven.

 

Heres a link to one of my posts, some info in there



https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=228408

 

I read all the posts ...twice but was unable to understand exactly what you were "killing". Was it just the starter solenoid? If so a screwdriver across the terminals gets the starter turning, and if it's a standard.. I often bump start mine just in the driveway or any little incline. (saves on wear and tear)

 

Anything you put on will only keep honest people honest.
A determined thief will get your truck if he wants it, and will only dissuaded by this kill switch.

 

Yeah, but have you heard of the HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009? I'm with you, I love my 45acp, but if those jerkwads in DC have there way.....

 

A friend of mine did this on his 2001 super duty. He hid a simple little toggle switch under the dash. His truck is an auto and I believe he tapped into the neutral saftey wire that is under there. The one the activates when you push the clutch in on a stick. Not sure if it will work on a Ram, I never got around to chasing wires in my truck.

 

Yes, it works on the Rams the same way except I used the clutch safety wires. Have one on mine done just like that.

 

When I park my truck in a "not so desirable" area, I put the auto shifter back into the column.

If someone looks in, they see all kinds of levers sticking out everywhere.

Plus you have to hold in the old o/d button for it to crank (shhh). It's a 2 hand operation, unless you have REALLY long fingers.

 

I did this a long time ago in my Jeep...when I had to drop the gas tank (yes, I do own a vehicle than runs on gas,) because I had dented it off-roading, I figured it was a good time to tap into the fuel pump power wire and I put a switch in the "add-a-trunk." It'll run for about 30 seconds before she conks out. I know the Jeep will still be parked where I leave it when I disable the FP.

I agree that the FP method might not be very effective with our trucks since the VP (especially a nice, shiny new one) will pull fuel even with the LP out. So I would agree with the clutch safety switch for a 5 or 6 speed. Place a switch in there, turn it off, and truck's starter will be on vacation. As for an auto, I don't have any insight there, sorry.

 

Read my post above. You do it exactly the same way with an auto.

 

The automatics have the wiring for a clutch safety switch under the dash about where the clutch pedal would be.
There is a jumper across the two wires.
Just pull the jumper, and wire a switch across the two connectors, and hide the switch.

 

That's the beauty of these trucks - they are already wired for options that the truck doesn't even have. I use the wires for the fog lights for other things.

Can't beat factory wiring. No cutting, no holes, no mess.

 

It seems everyone is focused on the "45 method" or the stater kill method. The 45 method works but...you would have to stand guard over the truck, while the starter kill is way too easy to get around. Has anyone tried the ECM power kill which would seem the quickest and easiest method as opposed to going to a fuel shut off valve?

 

Just install one of these and be done with it.



http://www.ravelco.com/