Beefing Up your Vans Security - How I Done It -
After recently having a BMW car stolen off the driveway at night, in full view of a cctv camera, Security was high on the agenda.
The tealeafs had managed to cloan the key by grabbing the code from the air which gave them entry to the motor and then used a blackbox plugged into the OBD2 port to program that key into the cars immobilizer and just drove off . . . . . it was gone in literally 60 seconds.
So with this all fresh in mind i was thankful that our beloved vans did not have "keyless entry" and still had a good old key and barrel under the steering wheel.
After speaking with various people in the police and insurance companies etc it was clear that we needed a plan to beat the Tealeafs.
Now dont get me wrong there is nothing you can do to stop them if they REALLY want your motor, but there are things like adding many layers of obsticals or aggro for them to defeat before getting away with it.
So this was the plan. . . . . . . To add layers of security to beat them or just deter them to go after another vehicle.
*****************************************************************
Edit:
In December 2018, Thatcham categories 5,6 and 7 became the new categories S5 and S7.
It will be down to individual Insurance Companies as to how and when they choose to adopt these new standards.
******************************************************************
1 - move the OBD2 port - OBD2 port cable
2 - Steering wheel physical lock - Stoplock HG 149-00 Pro
3- 3rd party imobilizer - Immobiliser Upgrades
4- tracker - van tracker
5 - second alarm - remote car alarms
6 - Side Slider ARMOUR Plate (for Panel Vans with tools etc) - VW Transporter T5 T6 Armaplate Sentinel Van Door Lock Protection Plates Security
+++++++++++++++
step1 (£ Free) - move the port
or
move port and run extension to hidden location - OBD2 port extension
a lot of modern thefts are being done with black market OBD programmers that can code a new key or disable the OEM immobilizer in seconds, this step is totally free. the advice from a auto security specialist was to un-screw the diagnostic port and cable tie it up out of the way. the idea being that any would be theith is not going to waist time unscrewing panels to get to the data port. Another option is to get a OBD2 extension cable and relocate the port to a hidden place that you know about. OBD2 locks are also availible.
+++++++++++++++
step2 - Steering wheel physical lock (£20 - £150) - Stoplock HG 149-00 Pro
get a steering wheel lock, yes these can be removed by hack-sawing through the steering wheel, but its just another layer. stay away from ones that have a circular key as these can be picked in seconds. The autolock ones have be around a while and will add just that little bit of time required to get it off before the van can be driven....
+++
The Disklok is also popular - https://amzn.to/3ZTKMig
+++++++++++++++
step 3- immobilizer (£100 - £400) - Immobiliser Upgrades
fit a third party immobilizer, a lot of thefts are being done with RF key relay attacks for motors that use keyless entry . . . Thankfully our vans dont have that . . . but what happens when they break into your house to get the keys? well even if they manage to get to the OBD port to plug a black-box in and override the OEM immobilizer or steal your keys then this device will prevent the van from being started.
The Autowatch Ghost is the current preferred tech of choice.
**
Edit: The Ghost II has been launched and now includes a prox Fob.
+++++++++++++++
step 4- tracker ( £50-£300) - van tracker
i use these guys....
Meta Trak – The Most Advanced Tracking and Immobilisation on the Market
Renewal Prices
The first thing the police asked me when i reported my car theft was "has it got a tracker?" it seems that a motor with a tracker is classed as a "crime in progress" and will get a better response from the police as they have something to go on, and not just another missing car or van (thats probably already got different number plates on or has already been stripped down for parts)
You can get fully monitored immobilizers or ones that you you tack yourself. You get get a £50 online and pay £30 a year for the simcard. You can then track your own motor to you hearts content. most of the cheap ones only need 2 or 3 wires to be fitted. super easy.
+++++++++++++++
step 5 - second alarm. ( £40 - £500 ) - remote car alarms
fit a second alarm? sounds stupid righ? . . . well no, actually a lot of black box attacks rely on disabling the OEM alarm and immobilizer. if you have fitted a separate stand alone alarm then the theifs arent expecting it. so even is they get in, or steal your keys. and get to the obd port. or even replace the ECU they have to deal with you second alarm shouting at them.
you dont need to set it every time, maybe just a night or whenever you feel its needed. you can pick cheap ones up online from £40 and fit yourself.... you dont need to wire up all the bells and whistles.... just the basics.
as an example the vans come with an alarm that picks up the door switches, ultrasonic and siren etc from the CAN bus. so you can fit a stand alone microwave sensor alarm etc so it wont interfere with the OEM alarm. The below is an example. Cliffors arrow 5.1, fit yourself and add a microwave sensor for £50, just 4 wires to connect up =]
+++++++++++++++
6 - side slider AMOUR Guard - (Pivot Plate) (For Panel Vans with tools inside etc )
They look like this:
.
.
.
more info here:
+++++++++++++
edit 2023:
additional info . . . Sliding-door break-in
www.t6forum.com
+++
So there we have it. my 6 point plan to make it more difficult for the scroats to nick your motor....
sure if they REALLY want it, it will dissapear. but even if they lift it with a lorry you will be able to track it to the big container they are putting it into. - next stop Europe right!
on the security layers front i have:
steering wheel lock.
up rated alarm (metasat)(with the battery backup siren)
second clifford non can-bus alarm system
autowatch ghost immobilizer
metatrak cat6 tracker
Meta Trak – The Most Advanced Tracking and Immobilisation on the Market
Renewal Prices
Ghost Immobiliser
650 MKII Security Clifford - Car Alarms, Remote Starters, SmartStart
Meta System – Automotive Electronic Design
Stoplock Pro Steering Lock
******************************************************************
UPDATES:
Ghost II released - https://www.ghostcarimmobiliser.co.uk
.
Thatcham group changes:
S5 Insurance Approved Trackers - 2018 Update
Later this year the CAT 6 and CAT 5 trackers are going to be renamed.
The CAT 5 trackers will be certified under the name S5 Insurance Approved Trackers.
CAT 6 trackers will be renamed S7 Insurance Approved Trackers.
All Thatcham Trackers fitted previously to this name change are still fully valid and your service will continue with no interruptions.
*************************************************************************
many thanks to :
@Pauly
@Davenjo
@Insert Coin
@BiTurbo
@Loz
@GoatBoater
@Blitz
Heres the link to the original posting: Upping Van Security
.
After recently having a BMW car stolen off the driveway at night, in full view of a cctv camera, Security was high on the agenda.
The tealeafs had managed to cloan the key by grabbing the code from the air which gave them entry to the motor and then used a blackbox plugged into the OBD2 port to program that key into the cars immobilizer and just drove off . . . . . it was gone in literally 60 seconds.
So with this all fresh in mind i was thankful that our beloved vans did not have "keyless entry" and still had a good old key and barrel under the steering wheel.
After speaking with various people in the police and insurance companies etc it was clear that we needed a plan to beat the Tealeafs.
Now dont get me wrong there is nothing you can do to stop them if they REALLY want your motor, but there are things like adding many layers of obsticals or aggro for them to defeat before getting away with it.
So this was the plan. . . . . . . To add layers of security to beat them or just deter them to go after another vehicle.
*****************************************************************
Edit:
In December 2018, Thatcham categories 5,6 and 7 became the new categories S5 and S7.
It will be down to individual Insurance Companies as to how and when they choose to adopt these new standards.
******************************************************************
1 - move the OBD2 port - OBD2 port cable
2 - Steering wheel physical lock - Stoplock HG 149-00 Pro
3- 3rd party imobilizer - Immobiliser Upgrades
4- tracker - van tracker
5 - second alarm - remote car alarms
6 - Side Slider ARMOUR Plate (for Panel Vans with tools etc) - VW Transporter T5 T6 Armaplate Sentinel Van Door Lock Protection Plates Security
+++++++++++++++
step1 (£ Free) - move the port
or
move port and run extension to hidden location - OBD2 port extension
a lot of modern thefts are being done with black market OBD programmers that can code a new key or disable the OEM immobilizer in seconds, this step is totally free. the advice from a auto security specialist was to un-screw the diagnostic port and cable tie it up out of the way. the idea being that any would be theith is not going to waist time unscrewing panels to get to the data port. Another option is to get a OBD2 extension cable and relocate the port to a hidden place that you know about. OBD2 locks are also availible.
+++++++++++++++
step2 - Steering wheel physical lock (£20 - £150) - Stoplock HG 149-00 Pro
get a steering wheel lock, yes these can be removed by hack-sawing through the steering wheel, but its just another layer. stay away from ones that have a circular key as these can be picked in seconds. The autolock ones have be around a while and will add just that little bit of time required to get it off before the van can be driven....
+++
The Disklok is also popular - https://amzn.to/3ZTKMig
+++++++++++++++
step 3- immobilizer (£100 - £400) - Immobiliser Upgrades
fit a third party immobilizer, a lot of thefts are being done with RF key relay attacks for motors that use keyless entry . . . Thankfully our vans dont have that . . . but what happens when they break into your house to get the keys? well even if they manage to get to the OBD port to plug a black-box in and override the OEM immobilizer or steal your keys then this device will prevent the van from being started.
The Autowatch Ghost is the current preferred tech of choice.
**
Edit: The Ghost II has been launched and now includes a prox Fob.
+++++++++++++++
step 4- tracker ( £50-£300) - van tracker
i use these guys....
Meta Trak – The Most Advanced Tracking and Immobilisation on the Market
Renewal Prices
The first thing the police asked me when i reported my car theft was "has it got a tracker?" it seems that a motor with a tracker is classed as a "crime in progress" and will get a better response from the police as they have something to go on, and not just another missing car or van (thats probably already got different number plates on or has already been stripped down for parts)
You can get fully monitored immobilizers or ones that you you tack yourself. You get get a £50 online and pay £30 a year for the simcard. You can then track your own motor to you hearts content. most of the cheap ones only need 2 or 3 wires to be fitted. super easy.
+++++++++++++++
step 5 - second alarm. ( £40 - £500 ) - remote car alarms
fit a second alarm? sounds stupid righ? . . . well no, actually a lot of black box attacks rely on disabling the OEM alarm and immobilizer. if you have fitted a separate stand alone alarm then the theifs arent expecting it. so even is they get in, or steal your keys. and get to the obd port. or even replace the ECU they have to deal with you second alarm shouting at them.
you dont need to set it every time, maybe just a night or whenever you feel its needed. you can pick cheap ones up online from £40 and fit yourself.... you dont need to wire up all the bells and whistles.... just the basics.
as an example the vans come with an alarm that picks up the door switches, ultrasonic and siren etc from the CAN bus. so you can fit a stand alone microwave sensor alarm etc so it wont interfere with the OEM alarm. The below is an example. Cliffors arrow 5.1, fit yourself and add a microwave sensor for £50, just 4 wires to connect up =]
+++++++++++++++
6 - side slider AMOUR Guard - (Pivot Plate) (For Panel Vans with tools inside etc )
They look like this:
.
.
VW Transporter T5 T6 Armaplate Sentinel Van Door Lock Protection Plates Security | eBay
Armaplate Sentinel protects the vulnerable areas surrounding the door locks with a high quality stainless-steel exterior plate which is bolted through the steel door skin, and then for most applications, through an even larger steel backing plate on the inside of the door.
ebay.us
.
more info here:
+++++++++++++
edit 2023:
additional info . . . Sliding-door break-in
Sliding-door break-in
I have had my T6 broken into today via the side door, the opposite side to the handle. I have slam locks fitted to both rear tailgate and side door , but this did not stop them from wrecking the door by drilling and then wrenching out the metal see picture. does anyone know if there is a purpose...
+++
So there we have it. my 6 point plan to make it more difficult for the scroats to nick your motor....
sure if they REALLY want it, it will dissapear. but even if they lift it with a lorry you will be able to track it to the big container they are putting it into. - next stop Europe right!
on the security layers front i have:
steering wheel lock.
up rated alarm (metasat)(with the battery backup siren)
second clifford non can-bus alarm system
autowatch ghost immobilizer
metatrak cat6 tracker
Meta Trak – The Most Advanced Tracking and Immobilisation on the Market
Renewal Prices
Ghost Immobiliser
650 MKII Security Clifford - Car Alarms, Remote Starters, SmartStart
Meta System – Automotive Electronic Design
Stoplock Pro Steering Lock
******************************************************************
UPDATES:
Ghost II released - https://www.ghostcarimmobiliser.co.uk
.
Thatcham group changes:
S5 Insurance Approved Trackers - 2018 Update
Later this year the CAT 6 and CAT 5 trackers are going to be renamed.
The CAT 5 trackers will be certified under the name S5 Insurance Approved Trackers.
CAT 6 trackers will be renamed S7 Insurance Approved Trackers.
All Thatcham Trackers fitted previously to this name change are still fully valid and your service will continue with no interruptions.
*************************************************************************
many thanks to :
@Pauly
@Davenjo
@Insert Coin
@BiTurbo
@Loz
@GoatBoater
@Blitz
Heres the link to the original posting: Upping Van Security
.
Last edited:
