Advice for CD Player that keeps being stolen

[T2urtle]

what ever you do in terms of making it harder to steal will only cause more damage to your car.

theives will take it the easy way or the hard way. That can mean spending time to unlock your door, removing trim panels and nicely taking your radio out ( rarely done) or they can just do a SMASH and grab. smash your window and use a big pry bar. pop the radio out and run, if the radio breaks they run, if it comes out nicely they take it and run.

you can just cover up the radio with a shirt or hat or some type. Best option is that, there was a brand a while ago i saw that made OEM looking radios but where really nice, had ipod outs, good sounding, 5v RCa's, lots of controls but had a stock look of radios in the 90's

 

[NutBucket]

Unless you need a CD player and radio tuner, you could install an amp in the trunk and plug your ipod into the line level inputs using a headphone to RCA adapter. leave a hole in the dash so it looks like your stereo has already been removed.

I like this idea. And you can substitute the iPod for a portable cd player, computer or, GASP!, even a walkman!

 

[v8envy]

Nothing subtle works against the meth addicts doing this. In the early 90s I had 3 stereos stolen out of my Conquest (aka Starion, aka Japanese executive failing to pronounce 'Stallion') including the stock one.

So I got a fully removable Alpine unit. Not just the faceplate, the entire thing came out. Leaving a very visible from outside hole when it was gone. That was the only thing which finally stopped the breakins and thefts. I just had to be very visible about always taking the stereo with me when out of the car, and never leaving jackets/blankets/junk in it.

You're lucky your car can be broken into easily. A smashed window is a lot more expensive than a stereo. Whenever I leave a car parked outside I make sure it's NOT locked, and there's nothing of value inside. Worst that happened is a loser busted up the ignition switch on my old Bronco (but failed to steal the truck since the battery was inside, being charged). Still cheaper than new glass.

And no, I don't live in a ghetto. Colorado just has a massive meth problem and no shortage of guys in dire need of $5 for their fix.

 

[AMCRambler]

Next time couldn't you just shoot the fucker? I mean if it's fairly frequent it should be easy to catch the bastard with a stake out. Or beat his ass with a baseball bat. Once word gets around that a royal ass whoopin' comes with trying to steal shit from your car they'd probably knock it off.

 

[JCH13]

I've heard that some cars remote-unlock "random" code generators have been cracked. Might be what they're doing. Get an after-market alarm system installed.

Or buy an old police cruiser, no one messed with mine.

 

[sideshow23bob]

Yeah it's been different states so not the same person.
I'm thinking of just getting the one I had and adding the fake stolen-CD player face with electric wires sticking out, like here http://www.instructables.com/id/Fake-out-Stolen-Stereo/#step1

Thanks for the Tips everybody!

 

[simonizor]

Well, it depends on how long you plan on keeping the car, but if you've already lost a lot of money on CD players, it might be worth it to just install a full alarm system.

 

[FTM0305]

If your car keeps getting broken into so often how about installing a pin hole camera? Catch the person in the act and turn it over to police.

There are a number of places that it can be hidden in the vehicle. Once you have a digital recording of your thief chances might be you can prove he is the same thief stealing your stuff. At the very least you can send someone to jail, and maybe get some stuff back.

 

[exdeath]

Sleep in the back seat under a blanket with a .45.

 

[Muse]

Install the next one in the trunk.

Yeah, if you can get the amp where it won't be found and have on/off/volume access, then have a portable CD player you take with you. Have a stereo cable with mini plug that plugs into your portable player. I don't have a CD player in my car, but do have a cassette AM/FM that sounds very good, and fortunately, noone has stolen. I do have an alarm system in the car. If I want CD usage, I do bring a portable CD player. Actually, I have a gismo I picked up at Circuit City that plugs into the cassette slot and has a mini plug to go to the CD player. Don't often use it because I don't drive a lot.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That sucks...unfortunately, thieves aren't deterred by the removable faceplates because most people just detach them and leave them in the car.

Move I guess...

 

[LikeLinus]

If your car keeps getting broken into so often how about installing a pin hole camera? Catch the person in the act and turn it over to police.

There are a number of places that it can be hidden in the vehicle. Once you have a digital recording of your thief chances might be you can prove he is the same thief stealing your stuff. At the very least you can send someone to jail, and maybe get some stuff back.

Lets be honest here. You really think the cops are going to take the time to look at the video and do a real investigation for a $200 cd player? Please

 

[lurk3r]

Install an alarm system that pages the remote, get a .45, problem fixed.

After the 1st radio got stolen in my soft top samauri I 'added' fish hooks to the back of the radio, if they're going to steal it at least its going to hurt.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I put all of my quarters in a bag, so that if someone breaks into my car, they wont make a mess, haha.

sorry OP, you have the #1 car that is easily broken into.