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93 Civic radiator theft-prevention
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Skelley
User
Feb 19, 2009, 6:35 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1405 views)
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93 Civic radiator theft-prevention
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I have a 1993 Honda Civic (not the one that was stopped today in upstate NY doing 137mph) which was broken into. The radiator with attached cooling fan were both stolen. Somehow they popped the hood from the outside, and the car alarm was disabled by disconnecting the battery. I live in an inner city area where these cars are popular & souped up by kids, and there is likely a large underground "chop shop" demand for these parts.
Anyway, I had the repair work done by a local shop but am VERY wary of putting it back in my parking lot, which is too far away from my window to hear the car alarm. I am in need of some kind of hood locking hardware that will allow me to prevent the hood from being opened. My repair shop told me that years ago there was a company that made a key operated locked hood release, but that they are out of business. If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful. Thanks,
Scott
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 20, 2009, 2:08 AM
Post #2 of 5
(1397 views)
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Re: 93 Civic radiator theft-prevention
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Hi Scott - Sorry for your troubles - stinks!
That company was "Chapman" and used a round key with cable to lock hoods - was popular in this area back when.
Not sure how to advise on this as you are right - jerks are looking for parts. If you make it too hard for idiots like that that will steal a radiator they probably would cut the hood right off to get at it leaving you even worse off than just losing the radiator or some other part.
Ideas:
*A bicycle cable type lock stretched just so you can do the combo and needs to be such that it doesn't get in the way of anything either. Hood would open but just so far - less than $10 trick.
*Wireless, noiseless alarm to you - direct to a cell phone or something to alert you the car is being messed with! No doubt big bucks. Noisy alarms just get your windows smashed by ticked nearby residents sometimes! Stickers on windows warning that it has this device!
Tough situation. Good luck,
Tom
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dmac0923
Enthusiast
Feb 20, 2009, 3:09 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1391 views)
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Re: 93 Civic radiator theft-prevention
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maybe if you use some sort of locking nuts and bolts......like a tamperproof torx bolt head or something like that. doesnt have to be fancy....just as long as its not as simple as carrying a 14mm wrench in his pocket.
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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Skelley
User
Feb 21, 2009, 8:58 AM
Post #4 of 5
(1381 views)
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Re: 93 Civic radiator theft-prevention
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Thanks for the suggestions. My car is about a block away in our parking lot, which is behind the building, so a warning signal would not likely make it through two sets of brick buildings into my apt.
I did find on the internet an armored cable hood lock with circular tumbler. It is something i will probably order and have a car alarm shop install locally.
http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=483#tabs
Now whether this will make them angry enough to smash my windows we shall see.
Scott
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 21, 2009, 11:01 AM
Post #5 of 5
(1377 views)
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Re: 93 Civic radiator theft-prevention
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Scott - I was thinking something like this - bought one myself to lock handle to sliding door to railing (just so it would have to be broken at a home) while I waited to lock parts. It was ~$6 at a Home Depot but would be anywhere. This could loop thru existing holes in body parts of hood and radiator support and just use a good bungee cord to hold extra out of way of moving parts. Hood would open but only as far as you rig it in there maintaining access to the combo lock.
We both know anyone determined enough will cut or get what they want. Regular snips don't cut these very well or easily - even the cheap ones.
It's a rock and a hard place when dealing with idiots that will steal stuff like what happened.
You would know where - I used to park a nice OLD car at Constitution Marina in Charlstown, MA (had a boat there for a few years long ago now) and would freak leaving it there so I'd disable the ignition - just didn't want the whole car missing. Damn marina made you leave a tag (marinas own card) with your boat name on your car or they towed it which was stupid because then any jerk could look to see if the boat was missing and know they had all the time they needed - dammit! Nothing ever happened but it used to freak me out.
It stinks - as said - a rock and a hard place
T
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