Stereo theft deterrents

[Canyonero]

I had my stereo swiped some years back, and I've been trying to think of clever ways to prevent it or at least frustrate a thief and increase the chances of being caught in the act.

My idea was to use screws with a non-standard head, and/or cover the head with epoxy so that the screw would have to be drilled out to remove it. This works in my case because the radio housing is very accessible. I can hook up RCAs and whatnot without removing the stereo housing. If I needed to remove the deck, I could still drill the head and use a small extractor.

What other clever ideas do you guys have?

My truck had an aftermarket alarm/keyless entry when I bought it. If I would have known I was going to move to the city I would have kept it (the key fobs were flaky and then I lost one, so I just removed the whole system). That wouldn't have prevented the bastards from breaking my window (the tint on the replacement doesn't match), but it probably would have saved my stereo.

[bszopi]

You should be able to get the tamperproof screws and corresponding screwdriver from any hardware store, which would save you from having to drill out the screws. One of my favorite things that I have seen done is to make a dummy faceplate (shaft radios are great for this). Make it look like a POS AM/FM radio by gluing the various pieces onto the cutoff front of the radio. Then, if you have a CD player, cut a CD in half and attach it to the back of the new faceplate. When you leave the car, slide the CD into the player and your radio is now concealled by a cheap looking radio.

[Guest]

>

NONE of the audio system thefts I've repaired has the theif EVER unscrewed a component. It takes too long to remove it nicely.

The faux face plate works, but theives will even steal a cheap aftermarket radio, anything that they can get a couple bucks for at the pawn shop. If you're going to do this use an OEM face plate.

You could even go as far as transfering the internals of the aftermarket radio into the OEM radio, and re-assign the buttons. Not an easy task, but can be done.

[Canyonero]

They ripped the bezel off mine, then unbolted and stole the whole metal radio support bracket (4 bolts).

This happened about four years ago. I'm not looking for a solution for myself (I don't live in the city anymore). I'm just interested in clever and/or unique "solutions" to the problem.

Maybe wiring the alarm to an air horn or small explosive charge (not to blow the car up, just to deafen the thieves)

[Superdave]

tack weld razor blades to the metal chassis

[pocket-rocket]

Maybe wiring the alarm to an air horn or small explosive charge (not to blow the car up, just to deafen the thieves)

Get an airbag out of an old junked car and mount it someplace where it won't cause damage when it blows. Ever been in a vehicle when the airbags go? I have, my ears were ringing for a while and I couldn't even hear the front of the van crunching over the airbags. The explosion was forceful enough with both airbags with all windows closed/rolled up to break the arms on the electric rear windows of the 95 Ford Windstar we were riding in. You could even just remove the bag from an airbag so it doesn't do any harm to anything close. Dave also has a good idea Then you get a nice little DNA sample to give to the police :P

[IsaacHayes]

They will tear up your car if they cant get it out. That ends up being more costly than the radio some times. (most times now days).

I like the fake face plate. Cause then they will see you don't even have a stereo, and won't even smash your window. One could even make it flip up/down by attaching it with small hinges to the radio adapter kit.

[Guest]

Also don't leave CDs laying on the seat/floor.

If you have a faux cover that is a cassette, and there are CDs in the car, that's a pretty good give away there there's something afoot.

[blackbombshell95]

I hate thieves. I want to put an aftermarket deck on my 02 gtp but i'm always afraid that the car will get broken into.
I live in a high crime area.

Best thing I could suggest is a good alarm with a visible flashing light for the alarm.
Glass break sensor.