2008 Superduty Theft Prevention

Hivemind, Friends, Family,

My parents are on vacation in Florida, and unfortunately had their boat trailer stolen this week.  The trailer was in their church parking lot, chained up and with a receiver lock.  They have lovely clear security video of two trucks entering the parking lot, and at least three thieves cutting the chain and hammering the receiver lock off, then hooking up their trailer and taking off.  No real help from the local police (other than "here's your report, take it up with insurance").

My dad also usually keeps his 2008 F350 diesel Superduty in the same parking lot (tow vehicle for the boat/trailer).  It was not there during the theft, but he is now nervous someone will come back for the truck, and I thought of this thread where a member had a similar problem:

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/stolen-f350-central-florida/192236/page1/

Is there anything he can do for added security?  He is looking at GPS tags, and possibly buying a traffic boot to boot the wheel when he's not there.  I suggested pulling the fuel pump fuse and/or relay from under the hood.

Anything you all would recommend?  He is 70 years old and shouldn't be staying up worried about someone stealing his truck that he washes weekly and puts a smile on his face every time he drives it in retirement. 

Wire a momentary switch in line with the "start" wire on the ignition and put it somewhere not easily seen that he can reach with his left hand?  Or if its a manual, put in line with clutch switch.

ProDarwin said:

Wire a momentary switch in line with the "start" wire on the ignition and put it somewhere not easily seen that he can reach with his left hand?  Or if its a manual, put in line with clutch switch.

 

Good suggestion, but that is probably beyond what he would do himself these days.  He would be farming any security system or wiring work to a shop, if it came to that. 

My hope is someone that knows these trucks better than me can pull a typical GRM and be like, "Oh yeah, 2008 Superduty, we have 3 of those at work, pull fuse #32 and you're good."  Or some similar miracle :)

If you have an iPhone get a couple Airtags at 30bucks each , put one that is easy to find and put the other one behind a door panel .

You can check YouTube and see how to disconnect the Airtags buzzer

Plus the on/off switch

Unfortunately f350's are very popular to steal.  They are frequently targeted in hotel parking lots or at airports.  The criminals are often pretty sophisticated and would generally figure out a removed relay or fuse.  We have had several stolen here in jacksonville by using different ecu's that match a specific chipped key.

The clear surveillance footage could be helpful if they find one of trucks with a suspect in it.  Unfortunately the vehicles in your video are probably stolen themselves.  Its super common to use stolen vehicles to commit other crimes.  The stolen vehicle "hot sheet" is one of the first things a good detective will look at when reviewing surveillance footage.

A GPS if not two would be a good idea as would blocking it with another vehicle.   

This doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.  I just ordered a wheel lock for my trailer.  I also planned on a lock in the hitch with a spare ball locked in.  Normally I always have a vehicle in front of it but in a few weeks I need to leave it away from me for an evening.

Flynlow (FS) said:

Is there anything he can do for added security?  He is looking at GPS tags, and possibly buying a traffic boot to boot the wheel when he's not there.  I suggested pulling the fuel pump fuse and/or relay from under the hood.

I think your answer to the question of, "which method" is, "all the above." 

You'll want a combination of visual deterrents and functional deterrents.  Visual might be something like a steering wheel club or tire boot.  This might be the kind of thing that keeps the thief from trying.  A functional deterrent might be the kind of thing that keeps them from succeeding.  Your "easy method" here might be the Ford inertial switch designed to cut the fuel pump.  

See these two videos for more on this switch which is located on the passenger side.  Sure, a little inconvenient needing to open the passenger side door before you can make the truck run but that kind of inconvenience might also be too much inconvenience to the thief.  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDfcSAFri_Q&ab_channel=Airtex-ASCPerformancePumps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgHVJrncMC0&ab_channel=1AAuto%3ARepairTips%26SecretsOnlyMechanicsKnow

Lastly, if the thief is not visually deterred and not functionally deterred, the GPS airtag is wise for recovery.

In reply to Stampie :

I would stamp / weld the last 6 of the VIN in several places on the trailer.  I can't tell you how many trailers a year we destroy because they are "contraband" with no VIN.

If you are leaving it for an extended period of time you can always take your wheels and leave it on some blocks.  Its free and effective theft prevention.

In reply to pimpm3 (Forum Supporter) :

That's good advice.  I'm thinking driver's side I'll do the wheel lock so it's visible but take the passenger side wheels and my two spares.  It's just for an evening and in a decent neighborhood but it'll be on the street because of a steep driveway.

 

The clear surveillance footage could be helpful if they find one of trucks with a suspect in it.  Unfortunately the vehicles in your video are probably stolen themselves.  Its super common to use stolen vehicles to commit other crimes.  The stolen vehicle "hot sheet" is one of the first things a good detective will look at when reviewing surveillance footage.

sadly, knowing that is occasionally true,  90% of the police can't be botherd to look in the first place. The "here's your report " is the end of 90% of the effort they can be bothered with. 

In reply to 03Panther :

Trust me I am well aware.  Property crimes don't get the attention they deserve.  Heck I can't describe to you how many felony cases get dropped on a regular basis.  Its really disheartening when you do a ton of work to put some shiny happy person in jail and the state drops the charges to a misdemeanor and time served.

Don't get me started, I don't want to derail this thread or get it patio'd.

In reply to pimpm3 (Forum Supporter) :

Well said!

Are you in blue?

Edit: just checked; tough job, in a tough town for it!

Thanks for standing for us!

In reply to 03Panther :

I am a Detective with the local Sheriff's Office.

In reply to 03Panther :

Why you calling Duval a tough town?  JK.  There are areas that are but every town has those.  I was in Detroit a few weeks ago and felt at home.  Just saying.

In reply to Stampie :

His profile says Jax. There are parts of there (and I know no suburbs names. Never heard of duval) that would be very unpleasant to be in blue. Detective or not. 
Like anywhere, there are ok places as well. 

In reply to 03Panther :

Duval is the the county and since the county and Jax merged in the 70s? they are one.  There are tough areas but I have worked most of them.  In the tough areas  95% of the people are good.  Just the 5% rotten apples ruin it for the rest.

In reply to Stampie :

I've been in lots of town considered rough by "normal" folks, so not telling me a thing. Including places where a lot more than 5% were bad news. Being a semi-reformed scooter tramp, not much really worries me.
But I was only referring to him being in law enforcement in a town that might be a little harder than some. (And thanking him) 
No personal attack or insult was intended to you or a area you like. If I said anything to upset you, it was not my intent. 

In reply to 03Panther :

I'm just giving you a hard time.  Plus I gotta represent my area.  pimpm3 used to patrol the area I live in.  He stopped by one day to check out our Challenge build and after he left my friend's wife came out asking what we did this time.  Back to F350s.

In reply to Stampie :

My bad! I'm so used to being on the wrong side of the popular folks , I forgot and took ya serious!
I've only passed through Jax and surrounding... but some of that was when folks were throwing blocks off of overpasses! And heard some stories from some that have worked ship repair in some areas!

Forgot to keep it light!

Love ya!

If you wire the 'start' feed via another switch so the vehicle can't start unless the other switch is also closed it can be effective. We have used both a fog light switch and a cigarette lighter. Who would think to actuate either when trying to jump start a car.

We've also wired an electric fuel pump via a dash switch.  Without that working, on an older car you can start it and when it runs out of fuel in the float bowl it won't run again unless you know how to energize the fuel pump. You usually find the car withing a mile, having run out of gas and being unstartable.

I don't know about a 6.0, but a 7.3's achilles heel is the cam position sensor.  Bad sensor means crank but no start.  I wonder how hard it would be to wire a little toggle switch in there.  It wouldn't be obvious for sure if well hidden.

Thanks for the suggestions all.  I think we've got a plan, and hopefully after their trip ends in a month or so won't have to worry about it as much. 

Appreciate the help!

Stampie said:

This doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.  I just ordered a wheel lock for my trailer.  I also planned on a lock in the hitch with a spare ball locked in.  Normally I always have a vehicle in front of it but in a few weeks I need to leave it away from me for an evening.

I joked once about feeling fine leaving my boat and trailer unoocked at the house cause I had one of the wheel hubs off.  

And at the time it was a joke, but at the same time it only takes me 15 minutes to do it, and only costs one cotter pin.  Don't even have to remove the tire from it.  I've done it a couple times when leaving for the weekend. 

A 401 CJ said:

I don't know about a 6.0, but a 7.3's achilles heel is the cam position sensor.  Bad sensor means crank but no start.  I wonder how hard it would be to wire a little toggle switch in there.  It wouldn't be obvious for sure if well hidden.

Gotta be real careful with sensors.  Wire it wrong and you can change the values the ECU sees.

Now that there are good suggestions I will add...

Stickshift.