So seeing as how I've recently become a victim of theft I'm thinking of what I need to do before I even think about installing the new setup I've been working on..

I had the idea of wiring in a hidden switch that is connected to the lock actuator\circuit to the rear cargo area door..This way if someone does get in through other doors and they try to unlock the back to get in and remove stuff, they won't be able to (unless they find the switch..which will be hidden well.)

Does this make sense\sound like a decent approach? Obviously an alarm is going in too.

Edited July 8, 201015 yr by Mr. Bojangles

You should just unplug it all together, thats what i did, this is the safest way to do it.

Use safety screws or Torx screw heads to secure anything and everything.

If they really want to get to your trunk they'll just tear the lock out completely.

So your best bet is to secure everything down with torx screws. Worst thing they can do is tear the woofers up, a recone costs less than a new woofer.

You should just unplug it all together, thats what i did, this is the safest way to do it.

Use safety screws or Torx screw heads to secure anything and everything.

If they really want to get to your trunk they'll just tear the lock out completely.

So your best bet is to secure everything down with torx screws. Worst thing they can do is tear the woofers up, a recone costs less than a new woofer.

New enclosure, amp rack, etc will be bolted to the body of the car...As far as security screws I now have $2,500 in theft coverage...I was talking with someone and they said to just use regular screws on the subs due to insurance covering theft not damage (and people tend to damage subwoofers if you use security screws..). I agree though recones are alot cheaper than new subs\enclosure..

Good idea on disconnecting it. Once everything is setup properly I'll look into that. Reconnecting it from inside might be a pain however..

Edited July 8, 201015 yr by Mr. Bojangles

i used those square head screws on mine, not the hardest bit to find, but i doubt most people breaking into cars run around with that type. i like to think that with the gigantic box i have for my 18 BTL it wont just get taken right out, it took 2 people to even put it in the vehicle.. then we added the 70Lb sub to it lol. but who knows, im sure people have had alot more stolen. good luck.

i like that sounds like it would be an awsome trap to catch them

You should just unplug it all together, thats what i did, this is the safest way to do it.

Use safety screws or Torx screw heads to secure anything and everything.

If they really want to get to your trunk they'll just tear the lock out completely.

So your best bet is to secure everything down with torx screws. Worst thing they can do is tear the woofers up, a recone costs less than a new woofer.

New enclosure, amp rack, etc will be bolted to the body of the car...As far as security screws I now have $2,500 in theft coverage...I was talking with someone and they said to just use regular screws on the subs due to insurance covering theft not damage (and people tend to damage subwoofers if you use security screws..). I agree though recones are alot cheaper than new subs\enclosure..

Good idea on disconnecting it. Once everything is setup properly I'll look into that. Reconnecting it from inside might be a pain however..

I would ask your insurance company, that sounds really weird to me. i would use screws like this

I'm sure they'll cover damage, if not it's better than having your rates go way up if there is a next time.

With the square screws you can fit a small crew driver in and take em out, labor intensive, but for a crook it would be worth it.

You should just unplug it all together, thats what i did, this is the safest way to do it.

Use safety screws or Torx screw heads to secure anything and everything.

If they really want to get to your trunk they'll just tear the lock out completely.

So your best bet is to secure everything down with torx screws. Worst thing they can do is tear the woofers up, a recone costs less than a new woofer.

New enclosure, amp rack, etc will be bolted to the body of the car...As far as security screws I now have $2,500 in theft coverage...I was talking with someone and they said to just use regular screws on the subs due to insurance covering theft not damage (and people tend to damage subwoofers if you use security screws..). I agree though recones are alot cheaper than new subs\enclosure..

Good idea on disconnecting it. Once everything is setup properly I'll look into that. Reconnecting it from inside might be a pain however..

I would ask your insurance company, that sounds really weird to me. i would use screws like this

I'm sure they'll cover damage, if not it's better than having your rates go way up if there is a next time.

With the square screws you can fit a small crew driver in and take em out, labor intensive, but for a crook it would be worth it.

Thanks man. I'll talk to my insurance agent tomorrow and find out for sure...

Any idea where I can buy that bit and 40 or so of those screws?

I think HomeDepot and Lowes carry them.

Regular torx screws will work too, they're often called "Star Drive".

I think HomeDepot and Lowes carry them.

Regular torx screws will work too, they're often called "Star Drive".

They are called torx. The ones in the pics are called tamper proof torx, or security torx, or safety torx. You need to be careful because they do make 5 sided "star" drive screws as well.

Insurance covers broken glass & destroyed interiors from break-ins, so why not cover damaged audio equipment too?

Depending on the vehicle, but I've installed relays on trunk pops & such to cut the power from the switch unless the key was in the "on" or "acc" position.

Trunk pop is a pretty convenient feature, & its a waste to get rid of it just because of theft worries. Changing it to only work while the key is on is a simple enough project, keeps it convenient to you but not to thieves.

Insurance covers broken glass & destroyed interiors from break-ins, so why not cover damaged audio equipment too?

Depending on the vehicle, but I've installed relays on trunk pops & such to cut the power from the switch unless the key was in the "on" or "acc" position.

Trunk pop is a pretty convenient feature, & its a waste to get rid of it just because of theft worries. Changing it to only work while the key is on is a simple enough project, keeps it convenient to you but not to thieves.

With my insurance, since it is not a permanent part of the vehicle, so your homeowners or renters insurance covers damage to those parts, but say you have a $499 sub that is trashed and a $500 deductible they're gonna tell you to screw off. It happened to me

If its actually bolted to the vehicle, it is considered a part of the vehicle.

If you were to total the vehicle & the insurance bought it from you (cut you a check for the loss), they would only allow you to remove items not attached to the car.

If you need a tool to remove it, they consider it a part of the vehicle.

As long as there is evidence that the gear was physically attached to the vehicle, they will cover it. Seen it done many times.

I think HomeDepot and Lowes carry them.

Regular torx screws will work too, they're often called "Star Drive".

They are called torx. The ones in the pics are called tamper proof torx, or security torx, or safety torx. You need to be careful because they do make 5 sided "star" drive screws as well.

Ah torx just has one more point in it

Either way, they're a pain to get out without the actual bit. learned that in one of my classes at school.