With all the holiday break-ins people have been reporting on their vehicles, I thought this would be a great time to remind each and every one what the first part of an "system" should be".

An Alarm!

Factory keyless entry, is NOT an alarm.

If you have a sliding rear window, be aware! Also keep in mind that alot of thefts do not involve opening of doors until the exit.

Car audio stickers on the outside of your truck is free advertising. Both for the audio company, and to any would be thieves.

Sometimes even an aftermarket head unit is all it takes. PULL THAT FACEPLATE WHENVER YOU PARK!

Tint can work for and against you. Yes your goodies are more hidden, but so are any thieves who are working in the back.

Glass breaking sensors are good, and so are microwave sensors too, but there is no ultimate protection from every scenario. Best to keep low-key, and park under Surveillance whenever possible.



So before you sink several hundred dollars, or the eventual thousands of bucks into a system. Get an decent alarm installed by a warrantied company. It will probably save you on insurnace and resale value (which Car audio typically does not )

 

best one right there

 

no thats the best

don't jam it at home the less people know the better don't make your self a target

 

And just, because this happened to me and a good buddy of mine, any of your audio, or any mod you purchase, make sure a) its covered by insurance and if not add it. In my buddys case, he got in an accident, some old lady crossed a median hit him head on, wrecked his brand new 3000 dollar hood on his lexus, and went through insurance and they pretty much said TS, you didnt have the aftermarket part covered. In my case, after i totaled my truck, my HU, speakers weren't covered, but luckily saving the recipts paid off. So keep your recipts, and make sure your stuff is covered, in the event it happens

 

true that

 

Definitely good information! Keeping your goodies hidden is important too. My amps and carputer are covered with a 'false floor' to keep prying eyes out, and I ALWAYS pull my faceplate.

 

I'll second this motion...and tint doesnt save yer *** most the time when you break a window with tint on it it doesnt smash out or make a noise the glass stays stuck to the tint and the window falls out happened to a few buddies..a half *** sensitive alarm and a trigger on your rear window usually helps and PULL OF THE DAMN FACE PLATE..outta sight outta mind!!

 

Some of these i have never thought of...and to think i was going to get "kicker" on my back glass....ha not anymore

 

Someone else to think about...if you live in a bad area or park on campus, TURN YOUR BASS DOWN! You're just advertising to everyone that you have a loud, expensive system and this is where you park overnight so come and rob me.

 

i turn my stuff down cruisin through any parking lot. it only takes so long to grab stuff and run.

 

great info. also if you make a box its always a good idea to carpet and make look factory. always with the headunit. i always hid amps to. while we are on yopic, what are some good alarm setups for reasonable prices?

 

In talking to some of the installers from local car shops, I've heard that your most important alarm 'additions' should be glass breakage sensors and piezo sirens. The sirens especially because even if they do get in, the sound will be so painful and deafening that they won't want to stay long enough to steal your stuff.

If you secure your equipment well that will help also. My box is secured using torx bolts.

Keeping your system turned down is also key. Good advice everyone!

 

And i know that we try and be a big family here and wouldnt ever jack stuff from another ranger owner but dude i wouldnt advetize anything about how its anchored down man.

 

i was thinking of using torx screws to hold my subs in. i currently do not have an alarm but would like a good one with a reasonable price? also how do yall hold your box in if you do. the only thing i can think of is velcro?

 

I understand, and I appreciate your concern It's a pretty uncommon size torx head though, and the bolts are not easy to find.

redranger, a lot of people secure their boxes using bolts to the floor. Velcro wouldn't be a very good idea because a loaded sub box can obviously weigh a lot, and if you are ever in a wreck or something you do NOT want that box to be flying around the cab!

 

so would you bolt using L brackets on the outside and drill to the floor so you wouldnt have to do it in the box or wat b/c i just finished up another system and want to secure it

 

my vote is dont install a system

from what i read..

dont turn it up
dont advertise
dont turn it up

lol sounds like a stock stereo?

 

If an experienced thief really want your car/truck, an alarm will not keep your car/truck from being stolen. It's a fact, it's happened to me and the best advice has already been given in this thread. If you don't want your **** jacked then

 

^^^ This is true. An experienced theif will also know how to pick his battles. He's gonna go for something that's easy, so make yourself more difficult to catch and you'll increase your odds a lot.