Author Topic: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?  (Read 6965 times)

Offline dfrazz

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #15 on: March 25, 2015 - 05:30:58 PM »
The bottom line is if someone REALLY wants your car they will find a way to get it.  All you can do is create deterrents to make it difficult and encourage them to move on to an easier target.




Offline marc70challenger

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #16 on: March 25, 2015 - 05:33:02 PM »
Yes I have a monitored alarm system at home although the garage isnt currently hooked up.
Yes I have cameras around the home although I have to upgrade to get cell phone alerts when activated.

Was looking for something to make it difficult or impossible to steal my Cuda. The Ravelco looks like a simple idea but apparently can disable the fuel system, ignition, computer (if equipped) and they claim it is impossible to defeat. They claim no cars have ever been stolen (started and driven away) when equipped with one of their devices. And they say some insurance companies offer a 20% to 40% discount when one is installed. Wont keep someone from stealing it by towing it away but looks like it would make it impossible for them to hot wire it. Here's the link if anyone wants to read about it. I guess you can hide the socket anywhere if you didn't want it in view. I think the $499 investment is small compared to if my Cuda was stolen. If I get one I'll update the post with a review.   

Ya ... makes total sense ... and you're right .. $500 not bad compared to heart ache and $ loss if stolen.

Now you have me thinking .... (and Wild is right ... take 45 seconds to hot wire these cars) ...

Only think I am curious about .... they have installers/sellers .... and looking at their website .. pretty big casing they put through firewall .... I don't mind another hole ... least for that .... but I hate to have a shop like that work on cars like ours ... from their sales pitches .. appears its on newer models ..

Let us know what you do please .... very curious now   :thumbsup:
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #17 on: March 25, 2015 - 05:36:43 PM »
The bottom line is if someone REALLY wants your car they will find a way to get it.  All you can do is create deterrents to make it difficult and encourage them to move on to an easier target.
                                                                          :iagree:

Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #18 on: March 25, 2015 - 08:14:59 PM »
No one hot wires these cars anymore. Most car thieves wouldn't even know how to drive your car if it's got a manual transmission. If it's not a new honda civic, the odds of it being stolen by the average car thief are pretty low.

But, those aren't the guys that will be stealing your car out of your garage. The guys stealing it out of your garage will be using wheel dollies to put it on a rollback. Because the guys that actually steal classic cars nowadays know they can't start them up near the house (too loud), know they can't just drive them around without attracting attention, and know that guys have different methods of disabling their vehicles. They also know that they can't just sell them anywhere, because even the parts are relatively easy for people to identify because it's all unique. If a simple hidden kill switch won't stop them (like your neighborhood kid joy rider), no fancy brake locks or alarms are going to, because they're not stealing it for a joy ride. They're stealing it to put it in a shipping container at the port and they've been paid good money to do it.

There was a hot rod stolen out of SoCal a couple years back, the whole story was on the HAMB. It was parked immediately next to the bedroom window of the sleeping owner, and blocked in by other vehicles in the driveway. It was gone in the morning, the newer vehicles blocking it undisturbed. They'd put it on wheel dollies, rolled it out and down the driveway, and likely onto a rollback. Poof. You're not going to stop those guys with any of the above methods.

Offline joelson6

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #19 on: March 27, 2015 - 11:06:48 AM »
 i think something like this is to deter theft while your out with the car
rather than in your home. the only thing that i can think of that could be an issue is
what happens if the plug for the Ravelco accidentally falls out while your driving?

can anyone say, "GM ignition switch recall"

Offline slepr1

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #20 on: March 28, 2015 - 04:48:01 PM »
I heard the hardest car to steal is one with no steering wheel (removable) with the wheels turned to one side.
1971 Cuda EFI Pro Touring, 440ci, 3.55
1977 Cordoba, 1969 440ci, M1, 850dp, 509,   727, 3000 stall, 3.75 rear, 4.30 gears
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Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #21 on: March 29, 2015 - 12:06:54 AM »
I heard the hardest car to steal is one with no steering wheel (removable) with the wheels turned to one side.

Wheel dollies. Problem solved.


Offline GreenFish

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #22 on: March 30, 2015 - 08:20:19 AM »
If a pro thief wants your car he's going to get it. That being said, you still want to protect against the common asshole who wants to take your nice car for a joyride.

Hidden cut off switches work well. I used to get foiled by my own fuel pump switch all the time. I'd forget about it. The car would start and run fine because fuel was in the carb fuel bowls. I'd get pretty much out to the middle of the street and it would die and not start again. Imagine a car thief sitting in the middle of traffic with a car that wont start. They'll probably ditch and run pretty quick. You car will be easy to find too.

Battery cut off or ignition cut offs work well too.
70 cuda, 440, KB pistons, 10.5:1 compression, edlebrock heads,RacerBrown cam, 5-Speed Tremec, Megasquirt EFI

Offline YellowThumper

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #23 on: March 31, 2015 - 08:12:10 PM »
Obviously someone with a Flatbed can drag a locked car up no matter. Unless locked to ground.
I knew someone that made their own that had a timed delay before ignition would be killed. Idea was to let robber think they got away. But then die in open taking thieves out of comfort zone ad leave them and car exposed.
Removing the warning labels one at a time.
Nature will take care of the rest.

Offline brads70

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #24 on: March 31, 2015 - 08:22:21 PM »

Hidden cut off switches work well. I used to get foiled by my own fuel pump switch all the time. I'd forget about it. The car would start and run fine because fuel was in the carb fuel bowls. I'd get pretty much out to the middle of the street and it would die and not start again.

 :lol:  Thought I was the only one. That happens to me more times than I'd like to admit! Usually the cars sputters and I instantly remember and hit the switch in time before it stalls. I have 3 teenage boys, not that I have reason not to trust them.... it's more I know what I was like and did when I was there age.  :-[ 
I also have it in the very remote chance it's gets stolen...  :grinyes:  I also have a main battery cut off in the trunk too.
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

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Offline bolo185

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Re: Anyone use Ravelco theft deterrent?
« Reply #25 on: April 01, 2015 - 02:22:02 PM »
i think something like this is to deter theft while your out with the car
rather than in your home. the only thing that i can think of that could be an issue is
what happens if the plug for the Ravelco accidentally falls out while your driving?
can anyone say, "GM ignition switch recall"

That's my main reason for looking at the Ravelco; while I'm out with the car at a parking lot get-together, show, on a run, somewhere where a thief isn't going to try and tow it away. True, if a thief really wants it they'll find a way to get it. If they have the time and opportunity to tow it away they will. But for the quick hotwire and drive away this seems like a good deterrent. I emailed the dealer in my area and he said they do a lot of classics. Guess I'll have to interview the installer when he shows up before he touches my car.....