Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (October 2002, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Wed, 2 Oct 2002 10:10:59 -0400
Reply-To:     Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Self-tapping screw size for headlight assy?
Comments: To: DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

How about a small micro switch behind the grill hooked up to a horn relay? Remove the grill and honk goes the horn. It would be pretty easy to wire.

DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>@gerry.vanagon.com> on 10/02/2002 10:04:03 AM

Please respond to DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>

Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM cc: Subject: Re: Self-tapping screw size for headlight assy?

>Does anyone have any clever prevention techniques? I have our Westy >garaged, but this could happen at night while shopping or while biking away >from the campsite.

-=-=-=-

I'm considering drilling the heads of the screws such that they won't hold a screwdriver. Maybe not all of them -- just a couple, so the thief will get stopped in the middle of his "removal". I'll have to drill out those screws when *I* want to remove the grille, but that's pretty simple.

You could use a couple of "security" screws, like those you see on the public restroom hardware -- screw in but can't unscrew.

Or drill out a couple of the holes in the sheet metal where the screws go and use machine screws and nylon locking nuts on the back that are a bit difficult to access -- again, just a couple will do. When they turn the screw, it just turns the nut. Can't remove the screw unless you've got special (ie, 90-degree needle-nose) pliers.

Or install a "leash", a small crimped steel cable that attaches the grille to the body. Be sure that you attach to the grille at a beefy area of the plastic, and that the cable snakes back into the recess of the radiator area, or such, so that removing the other end of the leash is not a simple task.

Or spray paint some large stenciled letters on the front of the grille, like "This Grille Is Stolen". But then you'd get stopped several times a day by your own local Men In Blue.

All these are a bit of a hassle for the owner when the grille needs to be removed, but what's the alternative?

Anything to slow them down. If the thief finds that he's on his knees too long, fiddling with some darned fool screw, he's not going to complete the "job". Or if he has to break the grille in order to get it, he may reconsider his options.

Dave -- Dave Carpenter

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke

This communication is for use by the intended recipient and contains information that may be privileged, confidential or copyrighted under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby formally notified that any use, copying or distribution of this e-mail, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this e-mail from your system. Unless explicitly and conspicuously designated as "E-Contract Intended", this e-mail does not constitute a contract offer, a contract amendment, or an acceptance of a contract offer. This e-mail does not constitute a consent to the use of sender's contact information for direct marketing purposes or for transfers of data to third parties.

Francais Deutsch Italiano Espanol Portuges Japanese Chinese Korean

http://www.DuPont.com/corp/email_disclaimer.html


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.