I asked my dealer about the security system that is usually factory installed. This in part, is the answer: "The Factory Alarm System is called the EVS 1 and it can be purchased for ($223.85 list) $174.89. "
It does not come with an installation kit, so does that mean that I can just plug it in, and if so, WHERE? Does it need a computer flash, or is it plug and play?

 

uhhhh, any help there?

 

Your sig shows an 06, is it going on this truck or an earlier one? This info pertains to 2nd Gens that I have worked on.

I've installed a couple of the EVS systems over the years and they are for the most part plug and play.

There is a little disassembly of the steering column to get to the wiring but it's nothing major other than the column cover pieces.

You have to plug a couple of wires into existing factory plugs but the instructions show where to do it. You also have to drill a hole for the "hidden" bypass switch that only you know where it is.

There is adjustability for system sensitivity and that's about it.

It's a simple system just so you know. Yes it flashes the lights and honks the horn when it goes off. There is a starter interrupt when it does go off and you use the hidden bypass to get the truck started when you return. It will flash the lights and chirp the horn during unlock/lock of the doors.

It is also easily defeated by someone who knows that this system is installed so DON'T put the included warning decals on the windows.

As a security system, there are better ones out there. I installed mine more to just make noise than anything else. If they want your truck, it's gone no matter the system installed.

For the price, it's a bit of piece of mind knowing that your truck is outside with at least something "protecting" it. For that alone, go for it but if you want more security, look at an aftermarket system with more options.

Hope it helps

Jeff

 

This helps some, yes. I want to put the alarm on the truck I drive, as shown in my sig. I was hoping it would be a single item that plugs into the fuse box, somewhere.
If I actually have to dig around the wires, I may just ask the dealer to pop it in.
Thanks. Anyone else have some input?

 

I boght a club type device to put on the steering wheel. About $20, I think.
I am not sure which is more effective, but I do know which is more cost effective.

 

In reality, if they want your truck, they will take your truck no matter what your using for security.

Alarms, steering wheel "clubs", starter interrupts, dogs, cats, encasing your truck in a concrete block will only deter the lazy crooks.

The more energetic crooks will do anything needed to take your truck. Especially when they have an "order" for a certain vehicle or parts of that vehicle.

About 5 years ago, myself and 4 other guys were sitting on the front step of a house we were working on having lunch in a residential neighborhood with over 40 houses being built and trades of all kinds working all around. A flat bed tow truck pulled up and backed in towards the front end of a brand new Ford F350 that was sitting there most of the morning. Driver got out, looked over at us and asked if one of us was the owner. Nope, none of us and we didn't know who owned it either or where he was. Driver said no problem, he is taking it back to the dealer, the owner called it in this morning that it won't start. He opened it up, winched it on and was gone in less than 5 minutes.

Of course, this is the time of the good old 6.0 Fords and their problems so we didn't think twice. Equipment and tow trucks are all over the job sites anyways so it was a pretty common sight to boot. Owner showed up about 30 minutes later looking for his truck and it wasn't there. Sad thing also was that the few people on site that did know the owner, never knew he bought a new truck other wise it might have had a little more attention payed to it.

Stolen right in front of a ton of witnesses and the guy doing it couldn't have cared less. We gave statements to the cops as did every one else who "saw" the tow truck. The cop wasn't the least bit surprised that they stole it in broad daylight.

We found out later that someone went into the dealer with the VIN number of the stolen truck and had a set of keys re-cut. He presented phony paperwork saying he was the owner and as we know how smart some of the dealer parts guys are, they cut them and off he went.

What happened to the truck? They stripped the wheels and tires off it, the seats out of, and the few tools that were in it and then torched it out in the bush outside Calgary. The tow truck was found at the opposite end of the city 3 days later, it was stolen also and used for a bunch of other car/truck thefts. A lot of effort for a few, albeit expensive, parts!

If they want your truck, it's gone right under your nose.

Jeff

 

Waste of time.

 

Not at all. It probably depends on your area, but there are far more snot-nosed kids and other thieves that fall into the lazy category than there are the more intelligent, organized and motivated ones. Those are actually pretty few.

Should you consider a system like this high-security? Of course not. Is it one of several useful security tools? Sure.