Ford Transit... a car prowler's dream!

[hepcat]

I saw this posted on another forum...  

Ford Transit owners, you might want to consider alternative ways of securing your front doors rather than relying on your door locks.

How to get into a Ford Transit in seconds without a key

 

[BigT]

There was no black, plastic cover over the locks on the mailboxes in front of my apartment, but pliers, and the same technic, were all it took to break in and steal our mail............. more than once. :/

Scary.. I wonder if the locks on my Ford Transit Connect work the same way.

 

[user 37446]

Wow, if verified by someone else as well, that's a thieves dream and an owners nightmare!  I've been fairly positive on the Transit, for both business and dweller usage but how do you stop that?  :huh:

Real bummer to have an expensive vehicle so easily defeated...  :-/

 

[user 37446]

Upon further research (gotta love that internet), this has been a problem in England for years. Apparently one of the other common ways was cutting the wires somewhere in the back and that released the power locks. Anyway, a site called DB Electronics has a page titled "How to break into a Ford Transit MK7" (a newer version) and they don't actually say that thieves are using those slip joint pliers (that the OP posted about), instead they use a simple lock pick tool:

"You may have had your Ford Transit opened up and you can see no visible signs of the vehicle being damaged or opened in any way. Police normally say the remote key fob code has been grabbed, this is not the case these vehicles are entered by a simple pick tool which is slid into the lock casing and the main locking pin is removed. Once the locking pin is released the lock pick is simply coded to your lock once this has been done the door will simply open and if your Transit has the basic horn alarm this will also override that. The thief has two choices take all the tools and equipment in your vehicle or recode a new key into the ECU and steal the van.

You can protect yourself from this form of attack by fitting an approved alarm system which can’t be disarmed by the drivers door lock. The alarm will only be able to be armed and disarmed by the Blue Ford 3 button key remote. This is very secure and Thatcham approved to protect your van."

 

[Richard]

My dad was almost famous for saying, in response to incidents like this, "Locks are for honest people." What he means is that locks are good at keeping honest people out. Thieves will always find a way in, around, or through many locks if they want what's behind it. A lock is a 'sign' of sorts that says, "Hey, this is my stuff. Keep out." Thieves don't respect such signs, ergo, "Locks are for honest people."

 

[johnny b]

[img=221x221]http://cdn.toolstation.com/images/130125-UK/images/library/stock/webbig/41017.jpg[/img]

 

[user 37446]

Locks are great but a $5 hammer or a free rock takes care of the window glass, that's how I lost a lot of my camping stuff and inverter out of the car.  Came out to find shattered glass all over the place... no locks would have made any difference, sad to say. Just a price you pay these days. 

 

[jonthebru]

My dad was almost famous for saying, in response to incidents like this, "Locks are for honest people." What he means is that locks are good at keeping honest people out. Thieves will always find a way in, around, or through many locks if they want what's behind it. A lock is a 'sign' of sorts that says, "Hey, this is my stuff. Keep out." Thieves don't respect such signs, ergo, "Locks are for honest people."

Your father was correct. Evil doers will find a way in regardless if they want in, multiple deterrents are needed. Decent door locks, and a kill switch for the vehicle. At least.

 

[wayne49]

Big shiny lock == Big sign exclaiming "VALUABLE STUFF INSIDE!!!"

 

[frater secessus]

Non-issue. If they want it they can break the window on any vehicle.

 

[CatCaretaker]

Your father was correct. Evil doers will find a way in regardless if they want in, multiple deterrents are needed. Decent door locks, and a kill switch for the vehicle. At least.

I'm a newbie here...how do you put in a kill switch for a vehicle?

 

[jonthebru]

I'm a newbie here...how do you put in a kill switch for a vehicle?

That would depend on the vehicle. Research your vehicle and kill switch or theft deterrent. Sometimes it is the ignition, sometimes the fuel pump or even the battery itself.
A kill switch won't prevent a break in of course.

 

[djkeev]

Over the decades I've driven Pickup Trucks and Convertibles.

These two units require one to place faith in the overall good found in most of mankind.

I NEVER locked my Convertibles. It was way cheaper to replace what could be taken than to install a new convertible top!

BTW....... to date, mankind has never let me down!

Dave