this is a very interesting read I found on svtperformance... I will copy paste:

It seems that car thieves have found another way to steal your car or
truck without any effort at all. The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the VIN number from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN number.

The car dealer's parts dept will make a duplicate key from the VIN
number and collect payment from the thief who will return to your car. He doesn't have to break in, do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is to walk up to your car, insert the key and off he goes to a local chop shop with your vehicle. You don't believe it? It IS that easy.

To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN label located on the dash ! board. By law, you cannot remove the VIN number, but you can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief.


-Mike

 

hmm... if the key isn't programmed to your truck it won't start. They may be able to gain entry, but it won't go anywhere.

I could be wrong though...

 

that might be true...hm, didn't think about that. shoot I dont want anyone touching or coming within 2 feet of my truck, much less getting and an fondeling her

-Mike

 

For SVTPERFORMANCE----My BS meter just went wild.....

 

"Gone in 60 Seconds" comes to mind.

 

They would also need a $1600 NGS and about 15 minutes in the car to get past PATS...

There are easier and quicker ways to steal cars. How many times you think that thief is gonna be able to go up to a dealer and get a key for a lost vehicle ?

How many thieves work that hard ?


Doug

 

Not to mention that it is illegal to cover your VIN....

 

Actually, it's NOT that easy. First off, only the selling dealer will have the key code based off the VIN. You can't just walk into any Ford dealer with a VIN and get a key. The original key code is on a tag that is kept in the sales folder for that vehicle, at the original dealer. Second, most dealers require proof of ownership of the vehicle, as well as your own ID, before they will make a VIN based new key. And lastly, that new key will get you IN the truck, but it won't be coded the to the PATS, so it won't start the truck. So I really wouldn't worry about this happening.

 

We had a rash of thefts from the company parking
lots here. They just used a "roll back" and loaded
up the cars ...

Gone in 30 seconds ... Poof!!!

 

Actually I have an easier way of stealing someone's truck, it is called stupidity, and trust of the public by the owner!

IE: ME!!!

Last year I had a couple pull up in a newer Porsche to test drive my Lightning, which I was selling at the time.

Well, after 45 minutes, I started to get a little worried.

After an hour I called the police!

Yup, sure enough stolen...

Two things... He gave me the keys to the Porsche as collateral, Of course it was stolen too! In AZ we don't need a front plate, and he parked it so I couldn't see that there was no rear plate.

Secondly, I trusted him enough not to ask for a license, although if someone was this brave, I'm sure they had fake ID's....

Sooo, now that I am selling my second Lightning, no test drives...

You can look at it, in it, and hear it run, but if you are looking at a Lightning, you should know what it does...

Sounds callous, but I am still getting notices from the state that the girlfriend in this case is in court proceedings, this was a year ago August...!

 

Even if they could do this to get a key, what good will it do to cover the vin number on the dash? I thought the vin numbers are also etched into all the windows glass?? Maybe im wrong

 

my old 1995 ranger had the last part of the VIN, i guess if someone was that smart they would have know the rest.. oh well if they want it bad they will find a way...

 

If you have a remote starter, there is a possibility that there is a blank key, coded with your PATS code mounted under the dash in a small box!
It can be used in conjunction with a dealer made key to start the vehicle. There is another electronic PATS emulator box that replaces this. Today i found out that I had the first type installed and had it replaced with the more secure "keyless" type. I wouldn't have believed it until I opened the module.

I now have an extra key that just needs to be cut.

Lew

 

I don't think so,.........

I have a 93 Lightning SuperCab that was the very first one ever built by the company Full Effect in California. The Vin on this truck is not on the dash,(as it IS illegal to replace this VIN) it is on the door jam which was issued by the state of Florida.

So,......either way, I don't have to worry about that!

 

Im more worried about someone trying to pop out my door handle, all the pics of break ins I have seen on our trucks is done that way.... and the worst part is, even if they dont get inside, your door is damaged and full of scratches.


Maybe if we hooked our battery to our door handles at night.....hmmmmmm POW!