Ditch lights stolen - anti theft hardware?

mudge makes some serious security fasteners, but if someone is really wanting your stuff they may just damage more of your property to get it if the easy way is not an option.

https://www.mudgefasteners.com/tamperproof-security-fasteners

 

Sorry to hear.

I hate thieves. If you're still looking for hardware, try McMaster-Carr. They sell the tools to fit also.
https://www.mcmaster.com/fasteners/

 

Sorry to hear the ditch lights was stolen…. Those can always be replace….

Many times we need to be bless full that only the ditch lights was stolen and NO other stuffs taken…plus they could have cause many other damages to the vehicle…scratches, dents, broken the wind shield, holes in tires, spray paint graffiti…and the list goes on…

Sure no one want any losses…. Too bad the laws protect the criminals…. Stealing ditch lights ..base on todays laws …they will never go to jail and may not be required to pay for damages…( most got no money or jobs)

State of California…anything stolen under $975 …is only a misdemeanor..no jail time…. Police catch them …since NO bails..the Judge release them that day …and they (criminals) get to do it again & again…till caught again…& release….

Why crime rate is so high? Because “We the people give criminals more rights). FBI. Shows repeat criminals do over 70% crimes over & over…
Stealing is a habit ..like smoking & drinking
Rape is habit..there is NO cure…and they get release only to do it again & again…
Well one cure is to remove it…lol

How can we stop the stealing? Can’t the laws protect the guilty…

You can weld. the nut…but if the thieves cannot remove it ? They will sure cause other damages…
No win-win
Aloha

 

On my last Tacoma, I had a 40" Rigid light bar on the front. Given its price, I used

$32 Rigid Industries LED Light Security Kit, Fits E-Series, SR-Series and Radiance Bars (40281)

RIGID INDUSTRIES LED Light Security Kit, Fits E-Series, SR-Series And Radiance Bars. Rigid has other types of tamper-resistant fasteners as well.

 

Hadn't thought about it but I have a Diode Dynamics 30" Stealth grill LED in transit right now. I guess I better think of some protective measures!

I'm literally starting an install of 2 DD SSC2 flush mount, backlit pods in my back bumper for reverse and manual operation. I think those will be safe given they're "built in" so to speak.

 

Can’t steal my bed mat if it’s under my bed cover

 

Some kind of quick release system would be the best solution.....hmmm....

 

Leave a note on it with instructions on how to remove the catalytic converter and tell them the street value. Then they will leave your lights alone.

 

The reason why I didn't install any of these lights. Can't park anywhere without worrying about something being stolen. Can't have anything nice anymore nowadays.

 

-Not much you can do. Video surveillance but that amounts to fuck all when it comes down to something like this. No tyr... excuse me... cop is going to open up a case or waste their time. Especially in your state. It might help you identify a possible suspect though. At this point, everyone who owns a vehicle should invest in a dashcam w. at minimum front and rear cameras and some sort of parking mode surveillance.
-Anti-theft is only a deterrent, and from the looks of it, would have only slowed them down or made them more impatient and fucked more up to get what they want.
-Confrontation is a good way to get involved in... um... conflict. Don't turn yourself into the aggressor over some $300 lights. Legally not a smart move and defensively the worst thing you can do.

Sorry this happened to you OP. But nothing would have stopped them. If they didn't get the lights, it would have been something else. Be thankful all your windows are still intact and nothing else is messed up.
If possible, find better parking. I've lived in areas where parking was an issue and I didn't trust others. The last thing I would do is mount stuff to my vehicle they could steal. Sucks to say, but true. If I was you, I'd also invest in some underbody protection for the catalytic converters.

 

If I were going to make them crackhead resistant, I would use stainless button head torx bolts, weld the nut to the other side, and use some locktite. The button head will keep them from getting vice grips on them. A welded nut keeps them from working it off from the other side. You could also use a pan head and countersink the bracket. I would do this to any exposed bolt. You could make it more confusing by using left hand thread bolts stainless is hard and will eat up a blade. It won’t mater much with a cutoff wheel.
A highly motivated crackhead will just cut the whole front end off to get them, ‘cause that’s how they roll.

 

Or use a cordless sawzall regardless of what fasteners and damage your hood/fender/etc in the process. They don't look cool, no one needs ditch lights in the parking lot and almost no one needs ditch lights at all. No one is impressed by your ditch lights, anyway. Frankly, they look sophomoric and awkward anywhere besides halfway up a mountain at night.

 

That sucks. That causes no more trust between people. HATE thieves.

 

my Hooke rack came with 4 free lights. I gave away 2.
The other 2 I mounted as ditch lights. Have not connected them yet.
Because I'd rather have a part actually mounted and out of the way, than on the living room floor.

And yet despite them being essentially worthless (free) and probably much lower quality than something like Rigid,
I came out to find the truck with both flipped backwards one morning.
Which takes some effort given I had them bolted tight enough to not move from wind/vibration.

I imagine upon seeing how they are bolted, whoever did it saw it would not be easy, almost requiring "special tools" I've already had for a long time, such as thin profile wrench that you have to counterhold it with. And the hardware on the slight itself is kind of flush in that it goes into a recess and doesn't protrude. Probably just used a regular socket but small one.
Things the average homeless person won't have.

Maybe they were going to try keeping one as a soccer ball. Or to hang from a chain to match the In-N-Out bag hat and blanket coat


There's probably something attractive to people about an object that looks grabbable, easy to pull, and fits in your hand

if I had nicer lights like Rigid I would absolutely try to put more tamper-proof hardware
Or even see if I can mess with it to look less appealing, like grinding off a logo.
But at that point whoever's trying to grab them is probably just into grabbing shiny objects without care to worth or brand

 

title made me laugh, my condolences

 

I had some drunk clown turn mine around when I was parked getting dinner.

Guess he didn’t notice my dash cam taking a video of the whole thing. No damage done but who touches another person’s property!?

 

Yea, seriously uncool.