HI guys
I caught a guy in my ranger yesterday I grabbed the man persuaded him to tell me how he got into my truck
He took out a screw driver lifted the door handle 2 small holes above the bezel of the door handle inserted driver and lifted DOOR OPEN
I then let the man go
Here where i`m going I then went to a ford dealer spoke to first parts and service Dept asked if they new about this 3 men said NO
Went and spoke to the garage foreman " o yah known for years " does ford know YES

what do you guys think
Why put door locks on at all

joe171

 

only fix is to weld a plate behind the door handle.

i woulda gave him a good whoopin then called the cops.

 

http://www.jimmijammer.com/JJ%20desc...%20Ranger.html

 

personally id rather them take the change from my truck, then smash a window or ---- up my door. dont keep anything valuable in sight or in the truck, and your good. #1 reason i use the stock deck.

 

I'm surprised at the amount of people who think Ford gives a damn.

What Bob posted is an excellent part you can buy. I've added a plate to my own truck in front of the lock rod like they make.

Just don't keep anything of great value in your truck, also thats why there is insurance.

 

I'm really surprised you didn't call the cops or anything...

 

Ford might not have known but YouTube does....there are also numerous threads started here about it. We know but we don't talk about it. Outta sight, outta mind IMO.

 

 

Somebody broke into your truck and all you did was ask him how he did it?

 

Don't leave stuff they want in your truck and you got no problems. And why no *** kickin or smokies called?>crazy

 

You didn't call the cops or lay down your own brand of justice??? Hell anyone on here could tell you how to break into these trucks. I woulda grabbed that guy by his hair, kicked in the back of his knees and then....well finish it with your imagination....I would have freaked out.

 

this. :imo

its how they got into my truck, even left there tool they used behind. i knew about this. figured it would be a matter of time. did i think it would happen on a small college campus? no. but really **** happens. he coulda damaged your truck

 

Good choice. Mines black though

 

So you let him go afterwards?

Something's wrong with the OP.

 

My thoughts exactly. If I catch someone in my truck, I'm going to make sure they never want to make that mistake again.

 

Speachless...

 

I commend joe on his calm reaction... I would aspire to the same but I'm not really a big fan of dumb maggot scum bag thieves so might not go so smooth :)

Should Ford just fix the problem? yes but they haven't so for not much $'s things can be improved. Anyway here's what I did to my truck to help security.

Nothing is theft proof with glass windows that can be smashed but there is a few things that you can do to make it less easy and attractive to a thief... here's my personal list. Any suggestions, additions or comments welcome. Everything I did was a bit of effort and pretty cheap

NUMBER 1 - make it less attractive to a dumb maggot scum bag thief. Leave nothing in view... that doesn't mean valuable stuff that means NOTHING - not even a pack of gum, a quarter or a piece of paper ect... don't expect a dumb maggot scum bag thief to be intelligent about what's valuable or not so that means leave nothing
COST - FREE

NUMBER 2 - JimmiJammer -
As being mentioned here the Ranger has some security flaws and I found jimmijammer that improves a few areas of the lock/door security.
http://www.jimmijammer.com/JJ%20desc...%20Ranger.html

I installed the JimmiJammer in my truck. They have very good instructions and it's a pretty easy job. First door took some time to make sure everything was done right but the 2nd door was 30min.


When installing it you see the quality of the stock spring clip holding the lock cylinder (think tin off a coke can) and the easy access to the lock rod from the handle hinge holes.

While a simple idea it's a quality product that clearly offers a large security improvement fixing some weak out of the box design flaws all Rangers have since at least 93. Nothing is un-stealable but I'm happy my truck and contents are now much safer.
COST - $44.95

NUMBER 3 - Rear window latch jammer
With the jimmijammer installed I then took a look at the slider rear window. I simple made a small wedge that when in place prevents the latch from operating to open the window.

Simple but effective and while not fool proof it's much harder to get the wedge out and then the latch than just the latch


COST - FREE or almost free

NUMBER 4 - Window tint / security window tint
Yes thief can still smash out the window but smashing the window out is pretty noisy and noticeable thing to do and leaves a car that clearly appears stolen... most thieves don't want to draw that much attention.

Security tint film or even regular window tint makes it much harder to smash the window
COST: $99 or less and more than just security

NUMBER 5 - Hose clamp the tailgate
Ghetto security for sure but keeps someone from quickly walking away with your tailgate

Install it so you can only access it to remove from the bottom with the tailgate partially open making it harder to remove quickly.


COST: $0.49

NUMBER 6 - License plate security bolts... dumb maggot scum bag thieves seem to like to use trucks to steal stuff so will steal plates to hide their identity.

So last but not least. princess auto with security license plate bolts. Only $1.99 and a nice anodized black to replace the crappy looking corroded stocks.
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/prod...Plate-Fastener

COST: $1.99

NUMBER 7 - Future maybe an alarm someday... but likely just a noise maker to attract attention as they don't really stop someone from getting in. Probably wire to fire the two air horns I have installed

 

An alarm may not do much more than sound, but if it's parked outside your house or nearby you'll hear it. Mine s a viper and sets off my key fob as well. I have a backup battery, glass break sensor, built in shock sensor, the siren that came with it mounted inside the door, wires to the factory horn as well, and a third siren soon to be installed underneath the bed.

 

Yeah if I go alarm I would probably go with something to sound the dual stebel natilus horns to get some attention... only concern would be killing the battery as they draw 36amps

 

I disagree about tint being a theft deterrent. My buddy's vw jetta had tint and was broken into 2-3 times. My dynasty (w/ glow ring ignition) didn't and I never had an issue. Knock on wood, ranger isn't tinted and I've never had an issue. I also don't keep things of value in it except for some CDs and phone charger.

 

Tint is pretty much a way of saying your hiding **** and even more of a reason to bust in.

 

i had an alarm put on mine for this reason.. now you cant pop the lock, open the door, or even start it without it going off.

 

so you just drive around with your alarm going off all the time?? seems a bit excessive

 

when the alarm is armed lol.

 

5% FTW can see what's in there. Alarm is always set if they break into my truck it's their unlucky day