AcDelco Replacement Lock Cylinders, General Anti-Theft Tips

[LastFbody]

So I've been wanting to get away from the common CUCV keys working for my truck. Changing out the cylinders is a pretty straightforward process, what I'm wondering is if the replacement AcDelco cylinders that you can get anywhere online are keyed unique or if they're all keyed the same model to model. I have no prior experience with them.

I know even without a common key they're still pretty easy to steal, but I'll definitely look over my shoulder less when it's parked out in public view if the only set of keys that work for it are in my pocket or at home in the key drawer.

I do use a club on it, but I know those aren't foolproof either. Considered using the US Army method of bigass chain and padlock through the seat and steering wheel, but figured the chain sliding around on a metal floor while driving would annoy the crap out of me.
Any other anti theft methods you guys would recommend?

 

[Tinstar]

The civilian ACDELCO locks are not keyed alike.
Only the Army required them all to match for obvious reasons.

I use the Military theft prevention system......aka chain and lock.
Simple and it works.
I have a small mud flap under seat that the chain sits on top of when not in use.
Prevents rattles and keeps it from sliding around.

If someone wants your truck bad enough, they’ll get it.
Clubs are easily defeated, but it’s definitely better than nothing.

Even trips to Lowe’s or a restaurant, etc I will use the lock and chain.

A hidden starter kill switch is also a good deterrent.

 

[LastFbody]

That's not a bad thought with the chain. I do have extra floor mats laying around. I definitely have padlocks that are harder to defeat than the club.

Kill switch always intrigued me too. I'm assuming that's doable with the oddball electical system we have?

 

[Tinstar]

Yes
You can easily incorporate a kill switch in a CUCV.
It’s been covered well before so do a search and all the details will be available.

Hardest part is to locate the switch in a uncommon hiding area.
Some guys get really creative.

Crooks will usually not take the time to figure out why the truck isn’t starting.

Worse case?
Documented cases where thieves used a tow truck to take truck.
There are ways to slow them down, but like mentioned......if they really really want it, they’ll get it eventually.

 

[cucvrus]

Thieves around here don't even look twice at a CUCV. In over 20 years living next to a base and parking them in full view I never had a problem. I park in store/restaurant parking lots where ever when I do use a CUCV for casual driving. With my new trucks I park way out to avoid door dings. CUCV don't matter. Bring it. I mean it survived DRMO handling. Parking lots are a sanctuary in comparison. I think with the color and description it will be an easy recovery if it did happen.

 

[Tinstar]

Every area will be different.
This style truck is extremely popular now.
Prices on civilian models are going way up and the CUCV prices at auction are also.

I would be more worried about it being taken for parts.

Sometimes using the chain and lock seems silly, but it only takes <30 seconds to steal the truck.

Better safe than sorry

 

[Recovry4x4]

I've related this story before. There was a commercial farm in FL that had a fleet of M1008s they used. Monthly one would go missing and then get recovered with no front axle. Guess they didn't realize the rear had a Detroit NoSpin.

 

[cucvrus]

Nailed it. I seen this similar set up on a Chevy Cavalier parked at the Hollywood casino. The car had 3 mini spares on it and was level full with clothing and belongings. I seen the need for security. Point taken.

 

[Drock]

A kill switch is going to be your best & most practical solution. Who wants to fool with chains or bars every time you go into a store? As mentioned previously these trucks are mostly off the crackhead radar. I think most thieves are looking for loose items left in your vehicle. And also take one look at a camouflage truck and know the owner is carrying a gun.

 

[porkysplace]

Even a kill switch to the IP , let them crank it till the battery goes dead , they will give up.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

I mean it survived DRMO handling. Parking lots are a sanctuary in comparison.

Nailed it!

There are ways to slow them down, but like mentioned......if they really really want it, they’ll get it eventually.

There it is. Theft deterrence is all about a simple equation.

TROUBLE TO TAKE IT (TTTI) - VALUE OF TARGET (VOT) = PROBABILITY OF THEFT (POT).

That's why the Hope Diamond needs better security than my CUCV.

How much TTTI you need to create to feel reasonably secure depends on how you perceive the VOT.

 

[rodent]

I need to install my Ravelco. Its pretty hard to bypass.

 

[cucvrus]

Install 4 vision blocks and they will stay away. No guns needed. HA.

 

[Drock]

Nailed it!





There it is. Theft deterrence is all about a simple equation.

TROUBLE TO TAKE IT (TTTI) - VALUE OF TARGET (VOT) = PROBABILITY OF THEFT (POT).

That's why the Hope Diamond needs better security than my CUCV.

How much TTTI you need to create to feel reasonably secure depends on how you perceive the VOT.

Agreed. I think you really need to understand the nature of the thief. Having grown up in the city, and mostly in apartments, the way I see it there are 2 main types of thieves. (#1) the crack/meth head.. & (#2) the feral welfare baby. The garden variety drug addicted, street urchin, slug, is looking for small items to sell or trade for fast money. So don't leave bait out for them. The feral savage welfare babies are looking for a joy ride, or a vehicle they can sell parts off of. Our trucks really don't fit their needs do to lack of bling. high end, or cars with 24" rims, big speakers, leather seats, fuzzy dice. In my mind that only leaves a small margin of human waste that would consider stealing my truck. And that would mostly be for it's axles. This species of knuckle dragging, slack jaw, pond scum would most likely have a tow truck, or knowledge of how to hot wire an old truck. Thus the best I think you could do is a kill switch

 

[porkysplace]

Agreed. I think you really need to understand the nature of the thief. Having grown up in the city, and mostly in apartments, the way I see it there are 2 main types of thieves. (#1) the crack/meth head.. & (#2) the feral welfare baby. The garden variety drug addicted, street urchin, slug, is looking for small items to sell or trade for fast money. So don't leave bait out for them. The feral savage welfare babies are looking for a joy ride, or a vehicle they can sell parts off of. Our trucks really don't fit their needs do to lack of bling. high end, or cars with 24" rims, big speakers, leather seats, fuzzy dice. In my mind that only leaves a small margin of human waste that would consider stealing my truck. And that would mostly be for it's axles. This species of knuckle dragging, slack jaw, pond scum would most likely have a tow truck, or knowledge of how to hot wire an old truck. Thus the best I think you could do is a kill switch

Around here they will steal anything that moves , go do a couple drive-bys and dump them.

 

[LastFbody]

And also take one look at a camouflage truck and know the owner is carrying a gun.

If I were a crook that would be my first thought, and second thought is it wouldn't take long for the cops to spot a camouflage truck in the city and I should instead steal something that'll get lost in traffic easier. But then again, not all theives think that far in advance. Just watch any given episode of cops.

Keyed killswitch sounds the best, dumb thing is it's something else I can't do myself. I suck at wiring electronics. Yet another thing I gotta put on the backburner for requiring money haha.

Should probably still do cylinders and make it so someone can't just hop in and roll it in neutral straight onto a flatbed in 10 seconds, club, killswitch or not. My wife saw a couple of the bad kind of rednecks come onto my property and circle it like vultures. Probably smart enough/old enough to know keys for it are laying around all over the place.

 

[rsh4364]

I used goldn eagles 12v circuit breaker set up, kills 12v to whole truck. Great thread to read start to finish, it also showed me how to on tachometer install.

 

[Dave Kay]

Get Lojack for Classics, worth every penny they say and theft problem solved

 

[Tinstar]

Get Lojack for Classics, worth every penny they say and theft problem solved

No
Theft problem not solved.
Stolen vehicle location solved.

 

[firefox]

As an interim solution you could just reach up under the dash and unplug the starter relay from the harness. This is not fool proof obviously but it may deter some of the them. I use the original mil chain and padlock. Easy and quick.