[sagexp]

What's a good cost effective way of securing expensive external items on a vehicle?

I just opened up the wallet on a winch, arb bull bar, and a set of piaa 80 xt's, and downey coil overs, and would prefer none of this stuff grew legs on me. I need to at least make sure it's going to be a gold plated beatch for someone to steal this stuff.

Red locktight? Are keyed locknuts (like keyed lug nuts) worth a darn? Pinched locknuts (not the nylon ones)? Spot welds on a couple bolts? Opinions on what will work would be great. I live in Southern Kalifornistan, so theft is a fair possibility (already lost the truck to thieves once when it was 4 months old).

And, now that I'm putting about $2k into some mods here, do I notify my insurance company, or just keep receipts since they are "attached" to the vehicle? I want to make sure the added items are covered in case of theft of the entire vehicle, or by individual parts.

 

[Boheefus]

Spot weld the bolts, you will hear someone fire up a torch to run off with your winch. The insurance company will ask you about aftermarket accessories in the event of a theft or total loss. Keep your receipts somewhere safe...

Boheefus

 

[grntaco]

Tuffy makes locking bolts for the winch. You may be able to use it on the bumper too. If you use locking lugnuts on the tires than it will be difficult to steal the coil over with the tire on.

 

[BMWTACO]

Tack welds and locking bolts are a good idea. But in some cases it's best just left alone. Some thieves will mangle your truck in an attempt to get stuff off anyway. My fj40 has no lockable storage except a tuffy center console. And it's a soft top. I live in rural NH so theft isn't much of an issue, especially since it's always garaged. But for my stereo, lights, aftermarket bumpers, etc. I have just bolted them on. Nobody likes their stuff growing legs, but I personally would rather have my accessories stolen than my truck trashed in an attempt by some lowlife to take off stuff that's been welded on.

 

[Mike]

What's a good cost effective way of securing expensive external items on a vehicle?

I don't think it's a good idea to weld the bolts that hold the winch on, it weakens them. I spot welded a piece of angle iron over the bolt heads. I figure anything that slows down a thief is going to make the target less attractive.

Later,
....Mike

 

[Koke]

I live in Maine so theft is not really of a major concern. However, I don't trust anyone. So I always try to prevent anybody from taking stuff that I worked hard to get. You could try using uncommon hardware (e.g. hex bolts, torx, etc.) Unless they have a large tool selection on hand they won't be able to get at your stuff. They might just choose an easier target. Locked doors and locked equipment in tool boxes also help. Keep the expensive stuff out of sight. Lastly, buy a bumper sticker that says this vehicle insured by Smith & Wesson.

 

[y_an_i_tacoma4x4]

If theft is truly a concern....

remove all doubt...weld, weld, weld. If it can be bolted, it can
be welded.

 

[tech96]

What's a good cost effective way of securing expensive external items on a vehicle?

I just opened up the wallet on a winch, arb bull bar, and a set of piaa 80 xt's, and downey coil overs, and would prefer none of this stuff grew legs on me. I need to at least make sure it's going to be a gold plated beatch for someone to steal this stuff.

Red locktight? Are keyed locknuts (like keyed lug nuts) worth a darn? Pinched locknuts (not the nylon ones)? Spot welds on a couple bolts? Opinions on what will work would be great. I live in Southern Kalifornistan, so theft is a fair possibility (already lost the truck to thieves once when it was 4 months old).

And, now that I'm putting about $2k into some mods here, do I notify my insurance company, or just keep receipts since they are "attached" to the vehicle? I want to make sure the added items are covered in case of theft of the entire vehicle, or by individual parts.

Spot weld your bolts, works great. As for your ins. you need to check with your agent. Some companies require you to add extra coverage. With State Farm I had add on policies for my shell and extra stereo equipment(amps/speaker box). If you have a digital camera take pics of all your equipment(make sure date on camera is correct) and scan all receipts with a scanner. You can load all info to a cd as well as keeping you paper receipts(some paper ones fade with age).

 

[tanKoma]

what are u mounting ur winch onto?

 

[Fishbone]

what are u mounting ur winch onto?

Think he said ARB bhull bar in the first post......I dunno, with my ARB, if they can get that sombitch off, or get the winch out of the ARB, at night, in front of my house, with limited tools, they can have it.

--Scott

 

[kodiak]

Think he said ARB bhull bar in the first post......I dunno, with my ARB, if they can get that sombitch off, or get the winch out of the ARB, at night, in front of my house, with limited tools, they can have it.

--Scott

I agree with you on that. Just installed my ARB tonight, sucker weighs a ton.