Anybody have a FORD security system on their vehicle? Or know anything about them?

I'm going to post this in Sam's Place too. Maybe a Truck owner has one...

If they want replacement keys, they cost $100 a piece and the car has to go into the shop!

Almost cheaper to get the vehicle stolen!

Like any security system, it keeps the amatuers out. I don't care what anyone says, a pro can defeat anything on the market. My insurance agent even went as far as to tell me this and said not to spend anymore on an aftermaket system. It also wasn't going to save me any more in insurance over the factory standard arrangement.

As afar a Lojack goes, a friend of mine that's the Chief of Police in a smaller town told me that as the police forces have to pay for each Lojack receiver for each squad car they have in order to track a stolen vehicle with Lojack, they won't/don't have the money to buy them and Lojack won't supply them at no or reduced cost. As such, the pros are smart enough now to know who has the receivers and who doesn't and they get your car out of a Lojack equipped area like a flash (usually within the first few minutes, or as he said, just about the same amount of time it takes you to report your car as stolen to the police) and take your car to an area that doesn't have Lojack to strip it down.

I've gone with the standard system and a club-type device from Master Lock. There is supposed to be something out that locks onto your steering wheel and brake pedal simultaneously, that's supposed to be alot better than a club. I also had my glass etched with the VIN number of the car. I'll protect my baby and take as many precautions and preventive measures within reason, but if they really want to get it, they're going to and there's not much I can do about it.

Another consideration - Unless you get an aftermarket system installed by a very competant and reputable installer, I've heard horror stories about these aftermarket systems really fouling up an electrical system and causing alot of problems for owners. You also have to be careful that the aftermarket system doesn't cause or is installed in a manner that causes problems with the factory pass-key setup, which can leave you with a disabled car if the two interfere with each other.

If you need a new key my dealer said its about $30 to get a new key and have it programmed (or you can program a new key yourself following the instructions in the owner's manual, which doesn't seem like a big deal to me). Two of these keys come with the car when you get it.

I'd just go with what's provided, get the glass etched, and try the brake pedal/steering wheel lock I mentioned. We may love'em but there's only so much we can do to protect them before it starts to make it more of a hassle than its worth.

Good luck in your decision - Joe C.

While the Ford dealers I have experience with actually use a good paint protectant sealer, they are still way overpriced. And the alarm systems? They are more of a joke than Julia Roberts being married to Lyle Lovett was.

Stewart

Note: The security systems I'm referring to are NOT Ford systems. I'm talking about the systems provided by outside companies that the individual dealerships have contracted with.

My sales rep said that if I wanted to go with an aftermarket setup for 'anything' just let them know where to send the check(s). While I was there, a guy took delivery of an F350 that had $25,000 in aftermarket goodies added to it. TVs, Custom wheels, you name!

Can you say gears and functional ram-air? I thought you could.

Anyhow, I talked to a few places already and have been looking at Viper, Alpine, and Clifford alarm systems.

The new VIPER system looks really cool. You can tie the system into a phone service and perform security functions from your phone! I'm thinking more along the lines of carjacking rather than straight theft. Can I get the system to completely shut down the car, lock the theif in, and set off the alarms from my cell phone? Hmmmmmm....imagaine the shock on the perps face when THAT happens...

As always, I'll keep you all informed as I research more.

quote:

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Originally posted by 71ragtop:
Can I get the system to completely shut down the car, lock the theif in, and set off the alarms from my cell phone? Hmmmmmm....imagine the shock on the perps face when THAT happens...

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I'd hate to see what your interior would look like after that episode!

The best part of is is: no wires hacked, no alarm screwed into your sheetmetal, and most importantly: