How to prevent winch theft?

[Ash]

A buddy of mine got his winch stolen off his Jeep sometime last night, and I realized just how easily my winch comes off with the right tools.

What have you guys (specifically those of you with RTE bumpers) done to keep your winch where it belongs?

 

[fordbuilder98]

tack weld the nuts

 

[fordbuilder98]

just a little tack so you can grind it off when you need to take it off

 

[az_max]

Did they unbolt it, or use a gas axe on the bolts? Tack welding it in, or at least tack welding the threads on the bolts to make them harder to remove.

How about an alarm circuit wire? either a pin sensor or wire that sounds the alarm when cut?

 

[ChrismonDA]

A buddy of mine got his winch stolen off his Jeep sometime last night, and I just how easily my winch comes off with the right tools.

What have you guys (specifically those of you with RTE bumpers) done to keep your winch where it belongs?

I see you live in FL. Does that state have homing ground for criminals?

 

[Jimmy]

tack weld the nuts

x2 - Tack weld the mounting hardware. Most thieves don't run around with a hot wrench to cut them out.

Though, nowadays one can buy a cordless grinder. It would make a racket trying to grind through every tack in order to steal the winch.

 

[fordbuilder98]

http://www.misch4x4.com/winch_lock.html
http://www.tuffyproducts.com/door/104.html

 

[kennith]

Attach a small, but tough line (the same length as the height of your bumper plus two feet) between the winch and the bumper, where it will not be noticed.

He will remove the winch, stagger a few feet, then the line will reach it's end and it will drop on his toe.

Actually, a small tack on the bolts isn't a bad idea.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[racerwad]

EE sells those barrinuts. a little easier than a tack weld.

 

[ptschram]

Call your insurance agent and add it to your policy.

 

[Rover Puppy]

He will remove the winch, stagger a few feet, then the line will reach it's end and it will drop on his toe.

Kennith,

You're just too funny!! :rofl: :rofl:

 

[GrandLordKhorne]

I suggest sitting on top of your vehicle 24/7 with a SAW and about 2K rounds. But that is me.

Actually what is better than a tack weld is sleeve retainer (as in lock-tite). Which no human can brake with any sort of wrench but if you want it off you can heat it with a propane torch and it will come off like butter. Than put a sticker under it where you can see the sticker when you look under it to get to the nuts, the sticker should read “if you can brake these nuts loose call me at ###-###-#### because I have been trying for ever with no luck”. I fined that most criminals will stop trying when they relies it will be harder than average to get what they want and the really determined ones, well your just not going to stop them without the aforementioned SAW.

 

[scottjal]

Round off a few nuts.

If you want it off you can use a nut splitter.

 

[skydiver]

I say wire a nice big capacitor up to it.

 

[rovercanus]

Google be yo friend and shit yo! Search for security fastener revealed this on the first page. http://www.brycefastener.com/keyrex.htm
Let's all chip in for a box of 1000!

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

http://www.brycefastener.com/keyrex.htm
Let's all chip in for a box of 1000!

I'm in.
I call first dibs on the 1 in one million proprietary key.

 

[rovercanus]

That's 2, 998 to go.

 

[KevinNY]

Move.

 

[Ash]

Move.

Thats the part I'm worried about. I AM moving....to college. I'll be living in an apartment complex, so the 'ol girl will be outside at all times which was the real reason behind my original question. When I'm here at home my truck is parked inside our workshop on 3 acres of fenced property with 3 dogs roaming...no need for concern.

It seems like tacking the nuts seems to be the popular route. I'll pull out the welder tonight and put a few in place. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[rovercanus]

Actually, just a security torx bolt in a button head would probably slow the casual thief. I might look into this. My Superwinch has the nuts captive in the winch body and the bolt going in from underneath.