"Screwdriver" attacks on door locks
 

Hey,

I'm thinking about buying a 6 barrel door lock set for Defender 90, so I have some spare lock barrels that use the same key in case some of them will be cracked. However, when this kind of attack occurs, maybe there will be more damage inside the locking mechanism than just ruined barrel? That means even I have new barrel, I still can't fix it, so taking barrels is useless.

Any advice? I just don't want to take too much stuff (spare door http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif), but a few lock barrels sound like a good idea.

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Rebaseonu (edited 06 April 2005).]

Rebaseonu,

The door can be opened using a scvrewdriver without damaging the lock but the panel next to the lock. And yes, using the technique you described expect more damage than just the barell.

At the end of the day, don't assume your car will atract only apprentice locksmiths. A brick throught the window is just as effective.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Thanks, Roman.


Basically I would like to avoid break-in at all costs by making interior of my car less attractive by not keeping any valuables (or basically anything) in sight. This is actually what we are forced to do at home and are used to it.

However, one more psychological aspect came into my mind. I would like to use cloth window blinds just to keep sun out of the vehicle, but as it also does not expose interior then, it may lure someone to break in, because he does not see that there is "nothing useful inside" and since blinds are used, he assumes there is probably expensive stuff inside. So it may be better not to use any window covers and better let anyone see that there is nothing valuable inside?

[This message has been edited by Rebaseonu (edited 07 April 2005).]

When parked up in town or city centres I cover the rear windows and the front just behind the front seats (110 van) with a cheap black fabric you can buy from garden centres for lining paths. Cost is almost zero. I know that this may put out the message that something valuable might be inside, but if you are a foreign registered vehicle, there probably is anyway, and people know this. Another possibility some people use is a vicious dog sticker, though I haven't tried it!

Regarding Land Rover door locks, I have on several occasions locked myself out of the vehicle with the keys inside. It's no problem, just ask a couple of passers by if you can borrow their keys, one will usually fit the LR locks!!! Moral of the story - you can open LR's with many keys, and don't need to resort to screwdrivers, bricks etc.

Presumably some low life thieving types know this. I therefore intend to fit deadlocks to all my doors in due course. The only entrance then will be through a broken window.

Of course with a station wagon you have more windows to cover, you can blank them off with mesh grilles, or plain aluminium panels.

You probably cannot stop a determined thief oe thieves so the best policy is to slow them down or confuse them by using lockable internal storage chests or locking cables and ideally do not park in dangerous or poorly lit streets, and/ or use a guard for the car if possible.

Andrew.

[This message has been edited by Andrew Baker (edited 07 April 2005).]

Rebaseonu,

What most people do is keeping the front seat clear of any valuables because it's difficult and impractical to protect the windscreen and side windows. The rear windows, however, can be covered with steel mesh. So if you add a strong cargo barrier behind the front seat plus a well protected space at the back, your car doesn't look like an easy target and thieves will gain little by forcing the locks in the front doors.

BTW, I have a set of four brand new Yale D150 deadlocks for sale (like here: http://tinyurl.com/4topt ), bought some time ago for an abandoned project.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

[This message has been edited by Roman (edited 07 April 2005).]

I'm planning on overlanding in my Hilux pickup - luckily I only have two doors, two door windows and the windscreen to worry about (the rear window is protected by the ladder rack). I was planning on Mr Bean style padlocks on the doors, but am not sure about the windscreen. There will be nothing visible in the cab, so I'm wondering if I should bother with protecting the side windows and windscreen. Any opinons?

I was thinking of some detachable mesh plates for each side window, but the fixing on the inside of the door would need to be strong. For the windscreen all I could think of was two vertical bars, but to be honest I think this is taking it a bit far.. any other ideas?

The vehicle has an immobiliser, which I shall rig with a concealed switch to bypass the whole thing if it goes wrong. All my gear will be stowed in the rear tub, covered by a folding lid (not a plastic hardtop) which is bolted onto the side rails with padlocks.

Dan

Dan,

I don't think it's possible to protect the windscreen without making it look like a riot van.

For the side glass, the best thing I can imagine is the Pentagon glass film. It's damn expensive to protect the whole car, but perhaps it would make sense financially to use it on just two windows.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Hi Rebaseonu,

The other advice is excellent, but buy the barrels anyway. They are cheap, small, light, and easy to install, and if you do get a lock damaged, it will be a real blessing to have them.

M...

just to add my 50p´s worth . . .I¨d highly reccomed the D150s Roman has for sale. . . I fitted three to the three doors on my 110 hardtop and they have been the landys best feature on our trip. now the only way into the landy is to break the windows, and thats unlikely(ish) if you park it publically etc. its no fun fitting the one on the back door, but in my opinion worth every swear word uttered . . . .

Huey

So, these are additional locks, not replacements?

I pop-riveted cheap and cheerfull hasps to the 4 doors and tailgate door of my 4runner.
I've been in Africa for nearly 10 months now and have had no problems: if it doesn't put potential thieves off, it might just slow 'em down.

I hang my sand ladders over my rather large rear windows and then padlock them for security. My spare and highlift are also padlocked so you can image the rather large bunch of keys I carry around! Better to get one of those sets of 6 padlocks that use the same key as extra locks are always handy.

So are lengths of chain inside bike innertubes - stops them rattling and causing abrasion damage.

enzo
http://www.bundubasher.com

Polycarbonate side windows (eg. Lexan) are almost unbreakable, but they tend to scratch fairly easily. Also, you can't do much about the windscreen anyway. If you do decide to use polycarb, you can easily cut a set of windows yourself, using the originals as templates.

I'd still carry a set of lock barrels, btw - if the thief isn't too heavy-handed with the screwdriver, he can easily open the door without any other damage, so you may be lucky (as I was when mine was broken into).

Rgds,

Michael...
www.expeditionoverland.com