Stereo Theft (Stock vs. Single din, Double din)

I'm thinking about replacing my factory HU (6 CD, non-JBL), but I'm not sure because of security issues. To go stealth, I'd just replace the speakers and hope the sound is better, but I wouldn't have any additional functions that a new HU would provide.

I'm thinking about a double din Kenwood, but I just wish I could morph it back to the stock look when I took the keys out of the car.

Any suggestions?

Also, maybe this should be another thread, but are there many component speakers that fit the factory tweeter location? On Crutchfield, there's a note stating for all components for the Taco, drilling or mounting may be required.

Thanks in advance.

 

the stock stereo uses (4) 10 mm bolts for mounting it into the dash... you can always get the security bolts in the same size. but theives dont wanna spend alot of time in a vehicle. i personally like the way the toyota did it.

 

Any more feedback? I'm starting to think this was a silly thread, and I'm leaning heavily toward the kenwood 5120, since someone installed a kenwood 81-- and had much improvement with the stock speakers.

If need be, I'll buy speakers, but I'm going to start with the HU.

I guess if they're going to steal the HU, they'll steal the HU. Performance may be worth the risk.

 

I mean...It happens- but unless you are in a REALLY bad area I wouldn't worry so much about it.

I have been driving for like 10 years and had 4 different cars with upgraded stereos and never had my card broken into...If your area is that bad- I'd save your money and move instead of spending it on a stereo...

Plus...That's what insurance is for. It's easier to not have the issue in the first place, but it'll fix it if something does happen.

 

Thanks, Brunes. I'm going for it.

 

The only time I've been stolen from is when guys followed me from the audio store and stole my subs. I've had an alarm installed on my vehicles since then and haven't had any worries.

One guy on here throws a towel over the dash, which isn't a bad idea.

 

i'd say if your worried about it tint the windows as much as local laws will allow and when you park put one of those sun shade things in the windshield... it wouldnt look like anything out of the ordinary thus not drawing any attention and would cut down on the visibility inside the truck alot.

 

I think that would draw more attention to it than anything

 

yea thats what i was thinking.. thats why i suggested the sun shade thing.. lots of people use those.

 

Good advice here.

 

my prior truck got broken into...had 20% tinted windows, lived in a good part of town and all. ripped my dash apart trying to get the cd player out, but gave up. took the sub out from under the rear seat too. If someone wants it they will take it, only way i'll ever go aftermarket headunit again is if i have an alarm with a proximity sensor so soon as they walk up it starts makin noise.

 

I've never heard of an alarm with a proximity sensor, but I doubt it's something you would want - a cat goes by, neighbors walk past, someone parks next to you, ... I already get enough false alarms from my glass breakage sensor going off when a train goes past or someone drives by with a fart muffler.

My neighbor got his head unit stolen from his Chevy Blazer while it was in the garage and he was in the house sleeping. He had stock gear.
My friend had 10 cents and a pack of chewing gum stolen from his car
I had seat belt clips stolen from my car

It's about trying your best but knowing how to minimize risk as best you can. No one's busted in my truck, siphoned gas, or tried hacking off my catalytic converter. Knock on wood.

x2 sadly

 

I've been going back and forth too and getting to the point that I don't need a super nice stereo in my car, but like you said the new head units have some nice built-in features (i.e. bluetooth, navigation, ipod control, etc.).

My 1994 Toyota pickup was a magnet for thieves. They could and would easily break the triangle vent window in that truck without anyone knowing. The good thing is that my stereo was bolted in and there was no way for them to get it out without removing the entire dash... the bad thing is that they would always try to pry it out and tear the thing to shreds.

I even had someone try to steal my cadillac converter at Lowe's in the middle of the day... some people have balls.

Every time that I was broken into though, I never had a car alarm. After putting an alarm in that truck it was never touched. From my experience, I think most of the people stealing stereo equipment out of cars are petty thieves and that most are deterred by car alarms (although not all).

 

Dei 508d, you can add it to any dei alarm.....mazda even had it as an option on the protege 5's i believe from the factory.

I didn't know Cadillac made converters ;-) .... i used to work for autozone and the old men would come in and say they needed a cadillac converter, i would say you mean a catalytic converter and they would say no i want a cadillac converter..LOL

 

I'm thinking of Pontiac drivers or Tahoe drivers who wish they could've gotten the Escalade would be the primary seekers of "cadillac converters".

Guess I"d be in the market too if they made Lexus converters for a luxury trimmed Tacoma.

 

I have a Clifford Concept 400 and it has a dual zone Proximity Sensor.