LED Light Bar Security - GPS Tracking?

Well, my 40" double row got jacked off the roof of my truck a couple weeks ago, sitting in my driveway too. Since then, I've been thinking and thinking on how to make an led light bar more secure. The answer... there isn't one. No amount of security nuts & bolts or fab jobs are going to stop some asshole(s) from taking what they want.

Now my lightbar was in no way 'secure'. I had it mounted with standard allen head bolts. Did that make it easier for the person to steal it, sure. But, did the ease of trouble stealing it create less of a mess for me to clean up afterwards? You bet. No broken mounts, damaged body, etc.

This leaves me wondering, how can I protect my purchase. The only real solution I could come up with is GPS tracking. To find some way to incorporate a kind of GPS tracking device inside the housing. This could not only lead to a recovery of your stolen item but it may also lead to the perp who stole it. In a nutshell, I came up with the idea of a solar charged gps module that's placed in the housing. Stays charged all the time, and even if a perp removes the solar panel the gps unit is charged long enough to track.

I'm by no means advanced in technology enough to know the answer to my idea. I'd think that it is possible somehow but cost effective, maybe not?

Anybody think it's a good idea and have any way of knowing whether or not it's possible?

 

I like both ideas, or do the complete other end of the spectrum and build some super over the top armor for it where you can't access the bolts?

 

Look into Tamper proof security bolts. They look like Allen bolts but with a extra circular piece in the middle.

 

That^

 

The GPS tracking idea is already being implemented. Wait til you see some of the stuff coming out in 2015, its crazy. Lo jack for lightbars

 

I'm guessing it's Rigid doing it too.. If I can't afford a normal bar how the heck am I going to afford one with a gps chip in it?! lol

Guess I'll wait a little longer to purchase another 40"er

 

Possibly something like this;
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/retrievor-self-charging-gps-tracking

Something similar could be made out of one of the small gps trackers for cars

 

i think even with the security bolts.. its not theft proof.. its a deterrent yes.. but if they want it that bad.. they are going to take it. at that point.. its like you said OP.. its just gonna cause damage o something in the process.

I have mine secured with just the supplied allen bolts.. am i taking a risk? yes.. but you're taking a risk regardless.. anywhere, anytime with your vehicle.. they could break in anytime with or without a light bar.

I just try not to think/worry about it.

 

Fill in the head of the allen bolts with a ball bearing and some JB weld or super glue. It's a bitch to undo if you ever need to remove it, but how often do you need to remove your light bar? It's not totally theft-proof but it might be just barely enough of a hassle/deterrent to prevent theft.

 

I had a guy(dudes a cop) with a bar on the roof, he had the security bolts and everything. Actually, he probably took every precaution he could. One morning he woke up and someone completely chopped the bar off from the brackets. Literally sliced the brackets in half.

Moral: if they want it, they'll get it.

 

Wire the bar to your alarm somehow!

 

That Retriever is awesome but the key would be to be able to hid it within the housing. Otherwise, it's easily spotted and removeable. However, with this specific device that recharges itself off of solar and kinetic energy, it wont work placed inside the housing.

I agree with most of you with the fact that thieves will take what they want no matter what it takes. With the gps though, even if it's taken, you'll have that chance to not only recover it but turn the recordings of the gps over to the police and they may locate the perp as well.

 

Could always do the ink sprays banks and retail stores do haha

 

These are worthless. A quick trip to any auto parts store or harbor freight gets you the "Tamper Proof" bits.......

 

This is exactly what I had in mind, have one wire to all of you light bars that would have to be cut to remove the bar, once it's cut the circuit will be interrupted and set off the alarm. Much like the alarms at gun shows or electronic stores

 

i miss those..

 

I know this is a crazy off the wall idea, but have you ever thought of parking in the garage?

 

I was thinking it could be disassembles and put the solar panel inside the reflectors somewhere, or you could use a tracker that has a battery and run a wire that would have to be cut, in turn the gps tracker will turn on. Im sure it will stay on a few days, long enough to find it.

 

......We may have just found the culprit.