Protecting our "investments"

discomeans

Well-known member
Apr 13, 2021
154
58
Florida, USA
I've seen a few sad posts on social media recently (not just the recent one here) regarding theft of late 80s/early 90s LRs.

Considering I've put a chunk of $ into mine, I'd like to get some security, or at least as much as reasonably possible, to protect against loss. There's a couple things I've seen floated around:
  • Getting "stated value" "agreed value" insurance, since the "book" value on most of our vehicles here is much lower than we'd like. Has anyone done this? I haven't talked to my insurance broker yet considering I've heard it talked about generally but have no idea what's actually entailed in it.
  • Protecting against theft is pretty hard itself - there's a ton of glass to break on these and the protection mechanisms are pretty rudimentary. However, one common option is to put a hidden kill switch in place. That's something I'm definitely considering.
  • If it is stolen, being able to track it.
Any other solutions that I'm not thinking of?
 
Last edited:

rover4x4

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2004
5,228
45
41
North Carolina, Raleigh
agreed value insurance is wise especailly uninsured motorist coverage... Unless someone knows what they are doing pull the coil lead (14CUX), shift the transfer case into neutral or pull a fuel pump fuse. Thieves are lazy, make em earn it.
 

Big Ben

Member
Sep 17, 2020
9
0
Ripon CA
Great Questions! I would move on the stated value as you are correct they will pay you pennies on your trucks actual value. Kill switch is great and I like the Apple Airtag. If possible change the notification name to "FBI Surveillance Van" of "Buffy's Cool Chevy" From you tag line your truck would be hard to replace in the US.
 

simondewing

Well-known member
Feb 10, 2020
59
11
Texas
Disco's are the least of the worries, 90/110's less so.
Early L/R's don't even have locks!.
Trackers don't work without good cell phone coverage which seems to be restricted to towns and major highways (The sort of places best avoided!)
Best to keep them locked up inside with surveillance camera's and a decent alarm (or large dog).

D2 locks and immobilizers are pretty effective if you use them (as I gather is the D1 immobilizer) although this can bite you if it's set and the key fob stops working!

Hidden kill switches on ignition are OK up to a point but don't prevent the vehicle being towed.
Even if you lock and immobilize it can still be lifted or dragged onto a flatbed.

Best solution to avoid populated area's and keep your vehicle in sight at all times
I am told a good aim and large caliber weapon may also help!
 

discomeans

Well-known member
Apr 13, 2021
154
58
Florida, USA
Great Questions! I would move on the stated value as you are correct they will pay you pennies on your trucks actual value. Kill switch is great and I like the Apple Airtag. If possible change the notification name to "FBI Surveillance Van" of "Buffy's Cool Chevy" From you tag line your truck would be hard to replace in the US.
Yeah I meant to say "agreed value" not "stated value".
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
These old Rovers are so damn easy to steel once your inside the vehicle. Once I was leaving a grocerie store with a bunch of food spoiling in the heat and my key broke off in the ignition lock. I went back in the store and bought a cheap ass interchangable bit screw driver. took the shroud off the steering column. Got the screws off the ignition lock, removed the electrical part of the switch and was driving home in about 5 minutes.
 
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Eliot

Well-known member
Feb 4, 2008
736
47
Bozeman, MT

No experience, and I’m guessing this is a common solution?
 
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discomeans

Well-known member
Apr 13, 2021
154
58
Florida, USA

No experience, and I’m guessing this is a common solution?
Never heard of that, and wouldn't work for my diesel! :ROFLMAO:
 

DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
FYI just so happens the Trak-4 has a lightning sale now on Amazon for $30. I'm going to get the rechargeable version and try it out.
Those are cool, but keep in mind they won't stop anyone from stealing the rig, just show you where they are at. I work for the state and a few years ago they put monitoring devices in (more than just gps). Anyway, not long after a truck was stolen. They tracked it. Mook stole it, took it to his dealer and trades it for drugs, dealer sold it to some "professional" car thieves. State police caught up to them on the interstate. They drove the truck through the ditch, through the fence, across a feild untill they crashed into another ditch. We got the truck back, well, at least most of it.
 
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