14 replies to this topic

[hneale]

Hi I have an 88 Austin mayfair and since moving house I have had two boot locks broken and property taken from my boot, including the battery. I was just wondering if anyone else has had similar problems or if there is any way of securing the boot/battery better to avoid this happening again. Any help will be appreciated, thanks

[TopCatCustom]

How about running a short piece of electric fence wire from your battery (they run off 12v batteries) to and around your boot handle!

Failing that have you considered an internal boot release? Not a particularly easy mod but possible. Of course if the b4stards who did it had morals then it wouldn't be a problem, but unfortunately we have plenty of scum bags to watch out for in the world

[bobs]

Tried using an alarm?
Tried fitting the standard battery clamps and locking these down (Drill hole through the studs and bend pins or wire around the threads a few times)?

I sympathise with you as my boot used to get broken into all the time, I moved house in the end. You could sit in another car for a few night and try to catch them in the act?

[hneale]

Thanks both, think I might have to go with an alarm despite the cost, not sure i'd feel comfortable shocking people through the handle lol

[olds_kool_lews]

curl up in the boot for a few hours 1 night, when they break in, unfold yourself and chase after them once the cramp has subsided lol

Edited by olds_kool_lews, 24 January 2011 - 05:35 PM.

[TopCatCustom]

Actually- why dont you get yourself a really loud alarm/siren, I'm sure you could get one for just a couple of quid on ebay or RS, and wire it into a toggle switch and through a door switch (that connects once open). You could most likely order all this from RS Components for £5. Then just wire it off your battery, through the toggle switch (so you can turn it off during the day) and mount the little N/O switch so it makes the circuit once the boot is opened. Easy as pie, could wire it in in 10 minutes and would scare anyone off pretty quick! I'd personally leave the boot empty and unlocked when you fit it so they buggers don't ruin another lock.

Please try this I'd love to see the result!

You could also wire it in series with a flashing beacon in the boot so everyone could see them in the dark street!

[Carlzilla]

I know a way of stopping the boot being opened from the outside....
I have a hole in my parcel shelf to allow air movement from my sub. And with the hole, and the boot closed, theres a gap next to the catch in the boot handle, where the catch folds down to open the boot if you get what im on about.
A piece of strong steel, or a bolt pushed in, will stop them from opening the boot completely, even if the lock gets drilled.

A) you cant turn the handle, because there is nowhere for the catch to go
B) strengthens the catch itself if they try to yank it open, as theres extra metal poking upwards.

Of course, the only way you could do this, is by cutting a hole out so that you can get your hand through. Suitable sized hole saw and some flexible seam trim will stop you cutting yourself. Then simply place the parcel shelf cover back over, and they'll never know

Or theres the easy option if its availible. Park the car with the boot up against a wall or garage door so that they cant get to it in the first place.

Edited by Carlzilla, 24 January 2011 - 05:56 PM.

[yeti21586]

what im going to be doing is putting 2 bonnet catches one on each of the top corners of the boot going to one handle that why you cant bend the boot open from the corners but also it means even if they do bust your lock the boot still isnt open

hope that helps


YetI

[pbrain]

curl up in the boot for a few hours 1 night, when they break in, unfold yourself and chase after them once the cramp has subsided lol

ROFL!!!

[mini_mad69]

Is the battery stay bar in there?

You could fit a better bar that bolts directly through the boot floor, and use two nuts locked together so it's hard for them to get off.

Then fit an alarm with the boot on the door trigger circuit. Parking close to a wall or other car is a good idea if you can.

Edited by mini_mad69, 25 January 2011 - 12:06 AM.

[flyer]

Thanks both, think I might have to go with an alarm despite the cost, not sure i'd feel comfortable shocking people through the handle lol

the cheapest way around this i think is to run a wire on a pin switch from the horn to the boot.so when the boot is open your horn will go of making them run away i think.

[Dexter]

Cheapest option i know because i have done this
Buy a double air motor air horn.. - £11
Fix it in the boot.
Wire it up to the battery..
Just connect the wire to the boot..

So when it opens and breaks the Circuit Anyone in that area will know about it

Trust me

[Ethel]

If you fit an internal boot lock (shouldn't be hard to liberate something suitable from a scrappers - boot, bonnet, fuel flap) you could use the external handle as a switch for an alarm. Then, hopefully, they'll trigger it before any damage is done.

Plan B - fill the boot with wasps.

[jbj]

Plan B - fill the boot with wasps.

lol

Not much you can do though if someone wants to break into the fortress otherwise known as a Mini. Best bet's just to leave it unlocked to minimise damage

[TopCatCustom]

Thanks both, think I might have to go with an alarm despite the cost, not sure i'd feel comfortable shocking people through the handle lol

the cheapest way around this i think is to run a wire on a pin switch from the horn to the boot.so when the boot is open your horn will go of making them run away i think.

Cheapest option i know because i have done this
Buy a double air motor air horn.. - £11
Fix it in the boot.
Wire it up to the battery..
Just connect the wire to the boot..

So when it opens and breaks the Circuit Anyone in that area will know about it

Trust me

Exactly!

Plan B - fill the boot with wasps.

lol

Not much you can do though if someone wants to break into the fortress otherwise known as a Mini. Best bet's just to leave it unlocked to minimise damage

I agree- if empty and all doors rigged to a horn leave it unlocked to save damage! Just fit a secret dis-alarm switch somewhere so it doesn't go off when you get in!