How hard would it be to keep someone from stealing it?

Question

I know the saying 'if they want it bad enough they'll steal it no matter what you do' but I had a question. I plan on getting an overhead monitor for my tahoe somewhere around 13" and was wondering how hard it would be for someone to jump in and yank it out. I know there is also a bracket that you insert above your headliner that holds it in there...would it be safer to also put a long piece of sheet metal up there on the bracket as well so that if they do try to yank it out, they'll be pulling on a 3' piece of metal too?

Answer 1

If the bracket that comes with the monitor is securely mounted to the roof, you won't need additional sheet metal. Keep in mind that a screwdriver is all that's needed for removal, no matter how securely the monitor's mounted. If it makes you feel better, than put more metal up there. Unfortunately, anything installed can be removed. Get yourself a two-way car alarm such as Viper's 791XV. These alarms will alert or page you if someone tampers with your vehicle. Other companies make cheaper versions of these paging alarms. The 791XV is just my personal preference.

Answer 2

It shouldn't be possible to "yank out" any well-installed overhead unit without destroying it. If the thief has enough time, though, it's simple to unscrew it and remove it in minutes. You might consider using tamper-resistant screws to mount the overhead unit to the bracket. The bracket itself should be mounted directly to overhead roof bracing in the vehicle, or at least to some other solid piece that's secured to the bracing. I've done overhead installs in a few Tahoes/Suburbans/Yukons; even if you have a moon roof which blocks access to the roof bracing, there is still some metalwork just above the headliner that you can screw into.

Answer 3

If you screwed it up there, someone can unscrew it and remove it. Extra metal won't help 'cause you're still using screws.
Get some hex-headed screws, most thieves carry around flat or phillips head screwdrivers around. It will be much harder to remove hex head screws without a cordless drill with the right adapter. You can get these at an auto parts store or even Lowes/Home Depot.
Ensuring that nobody gets to it in the first place is important. If you know they can't (easily) get in your vehicle, you'll feel better about leaving it in the car.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I think the most ingenious theft prevention was the removable face plate. If it isn't visible it isn't there to temp the thieves. Install equipment that can be removed or covered. Then the only people that see it will be those that use your vehicles.

We also used this technique with hiding cash register money. Then the only people that stole the money were those that knew where it was.