Theft Deterrent- 300TDI 90

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LandymanT

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Hi All,
Im new here and drive a 1998 300 TDi Defender 90, have seen a lot in the news, social media act about Defender thefts and was looking for some of the best, cost-effective theft deterrents I can fit to my Defender, (Wheel locks, immobilisers etc?) What would you recommend? Cheers,
 
Welcome :).

Anything is better than nothing, Big yellow deterents might make them move on.
I like the pedal lock plates that apply the brake, there are also handbrake locks too. If all else fails a decent tracker helps(prices are pretty good these days).

Little secret switches are also good, but you need to know how to do it, in a TDI its probably not hard.

You could always move somewhere safer, which reminds me I must go get the keys out;).

J
 
Defenders are reasonably easy to 'break into'.
I think one of the main things to do is not add too much/any bling.
Extra lights, colour coded trimmed Recarro seats and MoMo steering wheels attract the wrong sort of people.
Keep it scruffy looking on the outside.
Hand paint it with luminous green and purple emulsion.
Fit a small flashing LED to a 12V source somewhere on the dash so the casual observer sees/thinks an alarm is present.
Fit a keyed switch to the wire (behind the dash) that feeds the fuel cut-off solenoid on the fuel injector pump.
Fit a red push button switch to the fuse box cover that says "Alarm OFF" which actually shorts out and blows a resettable fuse so there is no power when its activated.

Get good insurance.
Don't leave the keys in the car.
Park in council/railway operated car parks (they have cameras).
Have a webcam at home looking at the area you always park the car in.
Always turn the steering fully right or left so the car can't be silently rolled away down the road.
 
Hidden switch to fuel pump solenoid, removable steering wheels are available. Deffo a full peddle box. If going on holiday
or working away adjust the handbrake drum up so its locked on. Bif of a faf but its not moving.
 
On a series you could lock up all four wheels on the adjusters.
Handy cross axle escape when off roading with two opposite wheels off or nearly off the ground Lock one spinning in the air and send drive to wheel on the ground. Often when stuck you only have to move a couple of feet to get free then release the brake and off to go.
 
Forrest Gump said:
Made me laugh…was at Tesco one night and me n Mrs get out to go over and she says are you not locking the 90 and I said no cos I hope someone is stupid enough to nick it and do me a favour…
Click to expand...

Haha...
My landys are all unlocked peeps do more damage breaking into it then after a few mins discover they aint getting it so bugger
off & you need to shell out for locks,window ect ect The keys are in my defender if anyone fancys there chances (bring a jump pack) & a first aid kit. 🤣 🤣
 
kevstar said:
Haha...
My landys are all unlocked peeps do more damage breaking into it then after a few mins discover they aint getting it so bugger
off & you need to shell out for locks,window ect ect The keys are in my defender if anyone fancys there chances (bring a jump pack) & a first aid kit. 🤣 🤣
Click to expand...
I'm in this camp. If someone is going to break into my car and steal something (around here it would be low-lifes looking for loose change to go toward their next fix), I'd rather they didn't break a window to do it. If I leave something expensive and obvious in the car that's on me.

There are also remarkably few people in North America who know how to drive a manual (really, probably something like 5% tops would have learned). Here, a manual transmission is as good a theft deterrent as anything else. I do use a stearing wheel clamp too 'cos it's yellow and anyone looking in the window is going to see that and know that they'll have to spend more time stealing my 90 than any other car around.
 
I don't know if it's of much help in the UK, but here in North America where only very few people know how to drive a manual I would think that leaving the transfer box in neutral would likely be quite effective.
 
Squonker said:
I don't know if it's of much help in the UK, but here in North America where only very few people know how to drive a manual I would think that leaving the transfer box in neutral would likely be quite effective.
Click to expand...
It's usually Land Roverists stealing them but can't hurt to do that.
 
Squonker said:
Feckers. Can you call yourself a true Land Roverist if you steal one from someone else?
Click to expand...
Probably not. When you look on Ebay for parts and you see private sellers randomly selling a couple of doors or bonnet or whatever you know its most likely stolen. Or specialists come to think of it. Or Defenders pretending to be a Series, so on and so forth. Knowingly buying stolen parts is just as bad.
 
All great comments so my response might be redundant. However, I am compelled to answer as I had 2 motorcycles stolen in London in the past.

There are two things to do: what is practical and stops theft and what stops thiefs of attempting to steal,

- Practical: A hidden switch made wonders for me in the past and in a 1998 300 TDI (great version by the way) would be easier to implement. A tracker so you know when it moves (it helped me with my bikes in the past)
- Visual: A steering lock and an alarm system connected to doors, like the ones I had and you found in the 80s.

Enjoy the ride!
 
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