My Delica is under siege

[mosquitocoast]

It looks like Vancouver's criminal class has set its sights on our Delicas.

I have owned my L400 for less than a month, and already thieves are trying to gain entry to my vehicle. (Unfortunately, because it's a high roof, it has to be parked outside). So far, they have tried to pinch the driver-side door lock with a screwdriver, leaving the obvious marks. They have also poked and jabbed at the edge of the same door, leaving numerous marks along the edge.

For a while, I only had a steering wheel lock, but I have since installed an alarm and immobilizer.

Nonetheless, I am not expecting these idiots to give up anytime soon. I just hope that one of those bait-car celebrities like the "oncoming" guy doesn't fly away in my Space Gear. http://www.baitcar.com/video/oncoming

I will keep this forum posted.

[MitsuDeli]

As an individual that has had 4 vehicles stolen (Landcruiser, Suzuki DR350, KTM Duke II (one of only 24 of that bike imported to Canada that year), and Olds Cutlass)this bothers me. I truly would pity the person that I caught touching my vehicles, especially my Delica. I do not have an immobilizer but I was thinking of installing this... you have probably seen this a couple of years ago... but its a beauty...
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Brian

[Green1]

I truly would pity the person that I caught touching my vehicles, especially my Delica. I do not have an immobilizer but I was thinking of installing this... you have probably seen this a couple of years ago... but its a beauty...

It's really too bad that sort of thing is illegal in Canada... sometimes we care a little too much about the people trying to do us harm...

I do recommend immobilizers, but it's worth trying to determine what the thieves are actually after, are they trying to steal the delica? or trying to steal the contents of the delica? An immobilizer or steering wheel lock ("the club") only helps in the first situation, the second is best solved by an alarm (and not just one that makes a bunch of noise, nobody pays attention to those, get a 2-way alarm so that it pages you!), and making it obvious that there is nothing of value to steal (remove stereo face plates, leave the glove box empty and open, even keeping the vehicle a little dirtier makes it look less like you have lots of expensive stuff to take.)

Beyond that, I know you have to park outside (I'm quite familiar with that problem!) but possibly it's worth looking at exactly where it's parked, proximity to street lights, visibility from your window or others, even which side of the street you park on can make a difference. I'd also be trying to find any way I can to get a camera facing it...

[loki]

http://freespace.virgin.net/autotaser.uk/

[Green1]

I think you would find that in North America that sort of thing can still get you in big trouble... the thief can sue you, the fact that they were somewhere they aren't allowed is irrelevant. (examples are used all the time about home security, it's illegal to have a bear trap under your windows inside your house, despite the fact that the burglar isn't allowed to be there)

[Mr. Flibble]

I purposefully keep a bunch of "clean" garbage in my 4Runner - which looks like a wreck anyways. I scatter the garbage all over the inside of my truck when I have expensive outdoor gear in it. I did get broken into a few times with the old Toyota locks (when I did not have the garbage scattered) but I have since replaced the cores.

I recommend trying the "clean" garbage thing. (Candy wrappers, burger/fries boxes, drink cans etc). Never been broken into when my truck looked a mess inside.

[loki]

I think you would find that in North America that sort of thing can still get you in big trouble... the thief can sue you, the fact that they were somewhere they aren't allowed is irrelevant. (examples are used all the time about home security, it's illegal to have a bear trap under your windows inside your house, despite the fact that the burglar isn't allowed to be there)

you should be ok if you have high voltage warning stickers on all entry points, that is of course an assumption on my part as I'm not a lawyer. that said it was more of a joke post than anything, I personally think it should be ok to have lethal response alarm systems in cars, on your house and the like, you violate others rights, you don't get to have your any more either.

I don't think the suing for everything is as bad in Canada as many think. Most assume it is the same as the states and it is not, just look at the people that tried to sue bc ferries for pain and suffering because they where on the ferry that sank and can't get to sleep because it's giving them nightmares, the judge threw it out, in the states they all probably would have gotten millions.

[Green1]

I don't think the suing for everything is as bad in Canada as many think. Most assume it is the same as the states and it is not, just look at the people that tried to sue bc ferries for pain and suffering because they where on the ferry that sank and can't get to sleep because it's giving them nightmares, the judge threw it out, in the states they all probably would have gotten millions.

You are correct that things aren't as bad as in the US due to a few differences in our legal systems, however due to the popularity of American media in Canada, we're getting there quickly, regardless of differences in law.

Your point about the warning stickers may have some validity to it, however last I heard, Tasers were illegal for personal use in Canada, I can't see why this would be any different.

[loki]

Tasers were illegal for personal use in Canada, I can't see why this would be any different.

you do have a point there, it's not 100% so depends on whether you want to take the risk or not.

[William]

Oh man that video made me laugh. Here's my car alarm

[MitsuDeli]

You don't need an immobilizer... nobody will approach your car ... nice dogs...

[jessef]

My preventative measures :

Thief just looking for a simple smash and grab -

clean and anything free interior. I keep everything out of plain view

Thief looking for stereo equipment -

stereo . I took an old Mitsubishi tap deck and took the cover off and crazyglued the buttons on the cover. Looks authentic. Add Velcro or magnets on the rear of the plate to attach to your dash or current highend deck. This way it looks like you just have a plain tape deck. The removable faceplate doesn't work. Most thrives know people just leave them in the glove box. I prefer the old tape deck face plate approach.

Also speakers. I have them installed behind the stock door/panels so that you can't see the
aftermarket goody speakers.

Thief looking to steal the whole vehicle for something -

Immobilized is important. If someone wants to take it, the immobilized will stop 99% of thieves. Unless you turn the engine over, it ain't going nowhere.

Alarm. This is a hot topic. Loud, earpiercing and DANGEROUSLY annoying alarm can backfire on you. I have seen cars with alarms that consistently sound in the odd hours of the night. I've heard people having their (one's with loud alarms) vehicles vandalized with harassing notes left on the windshield talking about their alarms.

My preference is to have a remote alarm that will page me it goes off. Also a recording of myself saying " I'm coming down to my vehicle now and have called the police. You better not be here when I get down." when the door opens or window breaks without me there. that is a non-threatening message with hidden implications.

And of course the alarm / immobilizer stickers in plain view.

Those things will prevent many potential thieves from doing anything to your precious vehicle.

[Green1]

I have a 2 way alarm (no siren, just the pager) with immobilizer, I also have a vehicle tracking system. the faceplate for the stereo comes off, and comes inside with me. I'm more worried about all my ham equipment... luckily more people seem to see the 2way radios and think "cop" rather than "expensive toy I can sell"

[mycale]

getting me all paranoid here...of course someone did slash my front right tire a few weeks back. Can you recommend a good immobilizer for the L400?

[Spearo]

I purposefully keep a bunch of "clean" garbage in my 4Runner - which looks like a wreck anyways. I scatter the garbage all over the inside of my truck when I have expensive outdoor gear in it. I did get broken into a few times with the old Toyota locks (when I did not have the garbage scattered) but I have since replaced the cores.
I recommend trying the "clean" garbage thing. (Candy wrappers, burger/fries boxes, drink cans etc). Never been broken into when my truck looked a mess inside.

LOL! Whatever you gotta do man. How do you stop people breaking into your house? Same technique?