Auto theft deterrents

Okay, so I live in the auto theft capitol of the country, Albuquerque. It makes me nervous pouring so much time in money into modding this truck when I live in a city with such high auto theft rates.

What some are some solid methods to deter auto theft?

I don't wanna hear "A thief will find a way..... or You can't stop a flatbed tow truck...." I'm trying to deter theft, I know if someone really wants to rob you, they will.

The people stealing cars here are mostly junkies who, at most, might have a pair of bolt cutters.

The steering wheel club seems outdated and easily bent or cut, and I know people can hack saw the steering wheel. I was considering a brake pedal lock but all the ones I see online are cheap chinese crap with terrible reviews. I dont feel mechanically inclined enough to install a kill switch but am open to the idea.

Any ideas on the subject are appreciated!!

 

Battery cutoff? Pain to open the hood each time just to turn that disconnect... but its an option.
Buy yourself a parking boot

 

Don't keep items in your truck. Most theft tends to be smash and grab, around here.

 

Buy a manual transmission

 

Man these MT guys dont give it a break

One of my coworkers had his old 4runner stolen here, they parted it out before it was recovered. Stole his bumpers, winch, second battery....left the long travel suspension though...

I was thinking of maybe getting one of these

 

I own a auto for the record and my 2nd gen AT was stolen from my driveway.

 

Oof.... you get it back?

 

Huh, didn't think we were getting smarty with our responses.
I'll also add in building a garage and storing it inside then.

 

Nope... well yes. About 4 months later it was found about 3 hours north of me completely intact. Insurance had already paid me the claim. I bought a new one, the old one they got.

 

I believe some of the remote start kits (the N2 designs one? @N2DesignsInc ) has a remote start/engine kill functionality if you get the cellular module? It may also have tracking included with the cellular model, one of the ones I was looking into did, not really prevention but recovery is easier.

 

https://www.ravelco.com/

 

Ravelco seems pretty solid but damn that's pricey

 

Cheap insurance compared to a vehicle you don’t get back, or get back after it’s been dismantled.

But.. your ride! My suggestion. I’ll be putting one in my 49 when it’s done.

 

Nah it's a great suggestion, and they have a dealer right here in albuquerque. My concern with ravelco is how much damage some junkball would inflict tearing your dash apart....making you almost wish it was stolen.

Think a dark window tint helps deter theft?

 

No. That only makes temptation greater to see what's indide. Looking in and seeing just seats and steering wheel is best.

 

I think it can go either way. If they can’t see in, they might not bother. Then again, someone desperate might assume dark tint means something is inside that the owner doesn’t want to be seen.

I love tint but not sure about its theft deterrent qualities.

 

If somebody really wants the truck they are going to get it.... even getting a flatbed to tow it away.

 

That's probably true...
I've got bartact seat covers and a mounted fire extinguisher now so I'm thinking it looks like my truck may be full of tacticool gear...
I honestly might just leave the fire extinguisher on the floor for that reason. Everyone in this city knows somebody who has had their car stolen. Last month a guy down the street was shot dead by a security guard while trying to steal a car... I'm thinking something obvious and highly visible, like a steering wheel club (while easily thwarted) would make most thieves move on