My First Van Break In......

[buzzlightyear]

don't forget to put them on the back door has well.

 

[loulew]

Thanks, definitely my priority over the next few days. Definitely a wake up call. Can't risk losing anything else.

 

[loulew]

I'm going to put them on every door i think. Took them no time to get into the drivers door and press the unlock button.

 

[buzzlightyear]

what van have you got.

 

[loulew]

Transit Custom

 

[telectrix]

why do you think the pikeys always buy transits? first thing they do is work out how to get in them without a key.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Transit Custom

most vans to brake it to.Engineer's warning after mysterious van thieves strike Transit four times - http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/engineers-warning-after-mysterious-van-7874927

 

[loulew]

why do you think the pikeys always buy transits? first thing they do is work out how to get in them without a key.

I know I know! It just looked so pretty when i went van shopping!

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

@loulew Another thing you might want to consider is maybe putting secondary doors behind the main vehicle doors so that when you open the original doors you then have a 2nd set to unlock, you can make them easily enough, with metal plate and a frame just hire a welder for the day. you can get them fitted. that way if somebody peels your doors open or forces the lock, they have to spend even more time trying to cut through couple mm thick plate metal... its like a cage that sits in the back. would certainly stop any but the most determined thief....
something like on this link but choose solid plate rather then mesh...
Van interior cages - Yorkshire | ProtectAVan - https://www.protectavanltd.co.uk/van-security-cages-465-c.asp

When i replace my van sometime next year i will certainly be giving the idea of an internal cage serious thought as it will stop the idiots in their tracks, and can always be removed if i sell the van.

 

[loulew]

I was actually thinking about something like this too. Could be a nice little project too, always wanted to learn a bit of welding! But then where where does it stop? Before i know it i'll end up with an armoured van!

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I was actually thinking about something like this too. Could be a nice little project too, always wanted to learn a bit of welding! But then where where does it stop? Before i know it i'll end up with an armoured van!

There are plenty of MOD surplus armoured vehicles on the market, they are disposing of tonnes of stuff now Afghanistan is done with... The MOD auctions aren't a bad place if you are looking for a decent serviced vehicle...

 

[loulew]

I find myself on the MOD auction sites every now and again. Never actually gone through with buying anything though.

 

[telectrix]

this might do. also be a good bet for the next farm job.

 

[loulew]

this might do. also be a good bet for the next farm job.

Or for when a customer decides they don't want to pay!

 

[telectrix]

or just make a witdrawal from his bank:

 

[HandySparks]

HandySparks has just upgraded the locks in his van - I'm sure he'll provide details later!

Transit Custom

I've just replaced the driver's door lock on my Transit Custom with this:

Sussex Installations FOR3-RL-SR REP LOCK FORD CUSTOM 2013 ONWARDS - Replocks - Sussex - https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk/products/replocks/sussex-installations-forc-l3-rep-lock-ford-custom-transit-custom-transit-custom-2013-on.html

They'll do it for you (at extra cost), but I decided to give it a go. Went fine, but it's the sort of job that takes an hour or more the first time. I could do a second one in 15 minutes.

The issue with the transit (and probably many others) is that if you can unlock the driver's door, which is the only external lock on the van, it can trigger the other doors to unlock too. So changing it to one that's harder to force and harder to pick is worth doing. I also cut the wire that connects the door lock to the central locking control, so even if the lock is forced, it still won't unlock the load compartment. You can now only unlock the rear with the correct remote key. There is a software update for some vans to do this, but I wasn't going to wait for it to be done at the next service.

See FordEtis home page - http://www.etis.ford.com under outstanding field service actions.

Select Preferences/English/UK to get it to recognise your registration number.

My next task is to disable/lock the OBD port, which can be used to program a key to turn off the standard immobiliser and alarm.

Loads of info on the Ford Transit Forum:
Ford Transit Forum • View topic - How to remove drivers door panel to replace lock with hykee - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=177300
Ford Transit Forum • View topic - Additional tips for changing to Hykee lock on your Custom - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=178850
Ford Transit Forum • View topic - Failed break in. How far could they have got? - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=178619
Ford Transit Forum • View topic - etis security update - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=181381
Ford Transit Forum • View topic - Make your Custom a lot more secure for free! - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=178018
Ford Transit Forum • Login - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=181074
Ford Transit Forum • View topic - security - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=181087
Ford Transit Forum • View topic - Door lock removal. - http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=171142

Couple of videos from Sussex Installations explaining the problems and solutions:

 

[loulew]

Thanks that's great. Definitely think i'll get that drivers door lock. And some slam locks for the Rear Doors.

 

[telectrix]

i'll be fitting a Garrison slam lock to the side loading door. 2 bolts on the inside of the tailgate. these can only be opened from inside which is no big deal. also considering disabling the driver's door lock from the central locking, as suggested by Handy Spark.

 

[loulew]

I'll definitely be looking in to disabling the drivers lock from the central locking. But the bolt idea wont be any good for me, i'm not always able to climb through to be able to undo them. But it's a very good idea!

 

[loulew]

On closer inspection, looks like they've had my drill bit set away too. How inconvenient!