guiness_guy

So this past week my XJ was stolen. Luckily it was recovered only a few miles away since it had no coil pack or starter. But the gents who decided they needed it tore out the lock from the rear hatch, the ignition cylinder was torn out somehow, and the stereo and all speakers. So after some research I want to install two kill switches; both starter and fuel pump, which looks easyish.


Update: After some further research and fancy googling I answered my questions but If anyone has a good line on a coil pack, starter, and some lock cylinders let me know. Also stereo and speakers. I don't need anything fancy not an audiophile but some noise is nice.

dukie564

so no coil pack or starter, and they still managed to steal it.

So how would kill switches have prevented the same outcome? Just saying it may not be worth the effort. If you need to leave it for an extended period, just pull off the coil wire

guiness_guy

No the switches wouldn't have stopped these particular thiefs, but after filing the stolen vehicle report I learned a bit. Jeep thefts have been on a steep rise in the Colorado Springs area.... So it may stop another thief. But this is the damage those filthy animals did to my baby.

This how they finally got in.




They tried prying the hood open.




Ripped stereo and speakers.




Ripped out ignition so either a rebuild or replace steering column.



I'm also going to have to replace some steering parts and fix the front because they snatched and drug it a few blocks by the bumper and tie rod. So she'll be on jack stands for a while until I can source or fix the parts.

XJPat

Edit I'm an idiot and missed the last paragraph.

burg3rlicious

Wait how was it taken without a coil pack or starter?

dukie564

well if you do want to install some protection, i'd do this:

1) Simple cutoff switch in line with the fuel pump power wire.
2) Passive circuit for the ignition using a momentary switch and 2 relays (to start you would turn ignition on, push button, then turn the key to start):
<---- to be clear that is the starter solenoid TRIGGER wire, not the fat power wire

Regardless of what you do, hide the switches. The best way to do this is in plain sight - just label it as something different, like "lights", and mount any on/off switches upside down so when they look like they are on, they are actually off


Of course then you come to the realization that a theif can just get under the truck and move the transfer case into neutral and haul your baby away

andrewmp6

It was towed off if it didn't run,A wheel lift tow truck only needs 30 sec to pick a car up and its gone.Or they could have used a tow daully and pushed it up it after they pulled it out of gear.My question is where was it stolen from?Was it a drive way or a parking lot?

Nightshade

You can get one of those wheel boots like the cops use when you don't pay your parking ticket. I have one on my vintage cadillac
http://www.carid.com/trimax/wheel-ch...FZWGaQodMXIA1A

Fred/N0AZZ

Its called "FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE" or store it inside and stand over it with a .45.


Locks and alarms only keep honest people honest!

kgm

Bogus! COS seems so quaint. My motorcycle was stolen (and recovered) from its previous owner in COS a few years back. I suppose its good that the thieves seem to not be pros.

Plummer

My XJ was stolen too. Did the same thing to the ignition as well. I ended up moving my key functions over to a switch panel. Whoever said locks only keep honest people honest is 1000000% correct. I'd recommend Crutchfield.com for radio/ speaker.