Defender Security

Author
Discussion

TheRainMaker

Original Poster:

6,621 posts

249 months

Sunday 24th December 2017
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Hi all,

Thinking about getting a Defender in the near future, after reading up on all the stories of them getting nicked, what would be the best way to secure it?.

So far I'm thinking, new door and bonnet bolts so they cant be removed easily, steering wheel lock guard to stop it getting snapped, maybe deadlocks for when it's left at the office and a tracker and new alarm/ immobilizer system.

Would like to try and stay away from steering wheel locks and peddle boxes if I can.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? PS it can't live in the garage as that's already taken smile


anonymous-user

61 months

Monday 25th December 2017
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Tracker.
You can't make them much more physically secure due to the way they're built.
Swapping bolts and stuff is ok to prevent casual pilfering but most are stolen to ship overseas or totally break for parts and they're rarely driven away from scene.
Usually put on a trailer and taken to a barn somewhere where tackling security bolts isn't really much of a challenge, or chucked in a shipping container and out of the country within a couple of days, hence a tracker, and a fast one with text alerts.

leginigel

428 posts

191 months

Tuesday 26th December 2017
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I got this











and this









also a very good tracker

anonymous-user

61 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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Physcial locks are of limited use on a Defender as the drive train is so exposed and they're rarely stolen under their own power
;-)

leginigel

428 posts

191 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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No steering and locked in gear makes it harder plus it's in my carport over night which you can not get a lorry too or even be seen from the road ,after all that it's down to luck.

anonymous-user

61 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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If you think being "locked in gear" prevents it being moved you've obviously never had to (very easily) remove a prop shaft.....which is extremely common knowledge hence I have no hesitation in mentioning it on a public forum.
I'd suggest the lack of access and visibility are keeping yours safe (as they do mine)

CAPP0

19,900 posts

210 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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I have three different additional security precautions on mine, plus other steps I take, but I'm not naive enough to think it's not vulnerable and I'm cautious about where I leave it. At home it's usually blocked in and I'm in a secluded spot, but the dogs would also let me know if anyone were out there, and given the breed they might get rid of someone if I sent them out. Would at least give me time to make the token but ineffective 999 call and also have two other vehicles which could follow it anywhere it went.

Does anyone know anything about those devices which hydraulically lock the brakes on? Still wouldn't stop it being picked up, and they're £450-ish I believe, but worth a punt?

100SRV

2,179 posts

249 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
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CAPP0 said:
Does anyone know anything about those devices which hydraulically lock the brakes on? Still wouldn't stop it being picked up, and they're £450-ish I believe, but worth a punt?
Are you thinking of a device similar to a hydraulic line-lock used by drag racers to lock the front wheels so they can do burnouts? I think that sort of thing might be a problem at MoT time.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for tracking devices based on experience.

CAPP0

19,900 posts

210 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
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100SRV said:
CAPP0 said:
Does anyone know anything about those devices which hydraulically lock the brakes on? Still wouldn't stop it being picked up, and they're £450-ish I believe, but worth a punt?
Are you thinking of a device similar to a hydraulic line-lock used by drag racers to lock the front wheels so they can do burnouts? I think that sort of thing might be a problem at MoT time.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for tracking devices based on experience.
I found it in the end - it's called a Meck Lock (yes, Meck, not Mech). Apparently not EU-legal for fitting to a brake line (although lots of people do), it's supposed to fit to the clutch hydraulics and locks the clutch disengaged if the pedal is pushed). That would stop a drive-away, not a tow-away. I'd be inclined to put one on the brakes if I could find one but I can't find a supplier anywhere. Still wouldn't stop it being HIABed!

anonymous-user

61 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
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They usually get towed so a quick bolt crop of the brake lines (easily accessed due to the high ground clearance) and even a hydraulic lock is defeated.
Again, fairly common knowledge I'm afraid.

Trackers:
Mate had his 110 nicked in Bristol. Caught at the Severn Bridge after police were alerted the ANPR cameras then locked the toll barrier down in front of the truck whilst a plod BMW then gently rolled to a.stand still behind.
He had/has a Skytag which texted him when the car moved and was also then used by the tracking company and plod to locate the car.

100SRV

2,179 posts

249 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
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Crossflow Kid said:
Trackers:
Mate had his 110 nicked in Bristol. Caught at the Severn Bridge after police were alerted the ANPR cameras then locked the toll barrier down in front of the truck whilst a plod BMW then gently rolled to a.stand still behind.
He had/has a Skytag which texted him when the car moved and was also then used by the tracking company and plod to locate the car.
I'll have a look at skytag, thank you!

RacerMDR

5,582 posts

217 months

Thursday 4th January 2018
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leginigel said:
I got this







Thanks for posting this - where did you get the quick release steering thingy?

Ian_H

650 posts

251 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
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RacerMDR

5,582 posts

217 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
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Ian_H said:
thanking you

CAPP0

19,900 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
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I was thinking about this - removable wheel vs Disklok. If you go of the removable wheel, it means that if you go somewhere and park up, you've got to lug the wheel around with you. Disklok similarly disables the steering but you don't have to take anything with you? Makes more sense?

RacerMDR

5,582 posts

217 months

Monday 22nd January 2018
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CAPP0 said:
I was thinking about this - removable wheel vs Disklok. If you go of the removable wheel, it means that if you go somewhere and park up, you've got to lug the wheel around with you. Disklok similarly disables the steering but you don't have to take anything with you? Makes more sense?
I would think the Disc Lck is easier to beat?

I'm going to double tracker it - disklok - , pedal lock, steering off, cameras, alarms and I might even put a big dog in it permanently.

:-)

RSVR101

829 posts

169 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
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Did you add your intended security racer? I’ve just done a deal in a 65 plate 90 XS. Have now started to worry about security.

Does anyone know if they changed anything such as the door/bonnet hinges on the later models to try and prevent easy opportunistic thefts? I have read it has an OEM alarm and immobiliser fitted as standard, are these any good on the later models?




bakerstreet

4,822 posts

172 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
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RSVR101 said:
Did you add your intended security racer? I’ve just done a deal in a 65 plate 90 XS. Have now started to worry about security.

Does anyone know if they changed anything such as the door/bonnet hinges on the later models to try and prevent easy opportunistic thefts? I have read it has an OEM alarm and immobiliser fitted as standard, are these any good on the later models?
Alarm an an immobilizer on a car which has 10mm gaps at the top of the doors. That is quite comical biggrin

Tracker would be my furst thought, but even then they get thrown in lined containers pretty quickly and the thieves can usually find the tracker. I know some have fitted multiple trackers with signal boosters and all sorts.

I would also not want it parked on the road. Garage or nothing for me and that garage would have CCTV and a roller shutter complete with parking posts if you have the space.

LooneyTunes

7,541 posts

165 months

Thursday 14th March 2019
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Consider ISR glass etching (there’s a large kit available direct from them that was put together with, I think, Land Rover owner) and/or Datatag.

Literally every piece of glass, many key components, and various body parts are etched/marked/transpondered on mine. With a bit of care the glass etching can be done so that it looks “factory” and the rest of it is unobtrusive whilst the parts are in situ but obvious if they’re removed. Some marking is downright devious too...

Doesn’t stop it going straight into a container and out of the country (other security aims to help combat that) but makes it much less desirable to steal and ring or strip for parts.

(If you’re careful with the stencils you can reuse them multiple times)

bakerstreet

4,822 posts

172 months

Thursday 14th March 2019
quotequote all
LooneyTunes said:
Consider ISR glass etching (there’s a large kit available direct from them that was put together with, I think, Land Rover owner) and/or Datatag.

Literally every piece of glass, many key components, and various body parts are etched/marked/transpondered on mine. With a bit of care the glass etching can be done so that it looks “factory” and the rest of it is unobtrusive whilst the parts are in situ but obvious if they’re removed. Some marking is downright devious too...

Doesn’t stop it going straight into a container and out of the country (other security aims to help combat that) but makes it much less desirable to steal and ring or strip for parts.

(If you’re careful with the stencils you can reuse them multiple times)
I've seen those kits advertised and thought that looked like quite a good idea, especially as in some cases by the time the owner knows its gone, it will be stripped of component parts and all on Facebook market place and gumtree! I listened to an interview on the radio where they were talking to an ex car thief and he stated that a Defender could be stripped down to its component parts in under three hours! At that point, your tracker is completely pointless!