History of the Ravelco anti theft device — Ravelco of the Rockies

A brief history of the Ravelco anti theft device and it's founder

www.ravelcooftherockies.com

 

Interesting but..... once the word is out, the game is over. All someone has to do is be familiar with the installation of this device.
I wired a hard kill switch to my old 2005 Jeep Unlimited. Never left a soft top locked. It took $15 in switches and wire to design a 2 switch system that locked out the ignition. Basically had to press one switch when turning the key and the other within 10 seconds after starting. Basic latching circuit. I added a defeat switch under the hood to bypass. Whenever I went downtown to party, I'd tip the switch under the hood to enable the system. Monday to Friday the system was disabled for daily commute.
Granted, a 2005 Jeep Wrangler was easy enough to wire.

 

The Ravelco has been out a long time and supposedly no thief has "got the hang of it" yet ......

 

I read up a little more on it. It has been out a while indeed. The multiple intercepts make it complex to defeat in a short amount of time and the "camouflaged" installation make it hard to trace. Still, the name of the game is to make it more of a hassle to steal than the one next to it. For $500ish installed that's not bad for those that don't understand circuitry and relay logic. Comparable in price to the basic alarms that just make noise and flash lights.

 

I would let the ins total it and consult a realtor about moving.

 

Fighting insurance now. They sent me an estimate for 3.4k to repair and completely ignored half the laundry list of items I proved to them was wrong and quotes me for a $50 BOSS single din radio... A far cry from the $400 pioneer head unit and kicker speakers. They won't even send a person out to take a look at it! I'm texting pictures to my insurance company (GEICO) I'm fine with them repairing it, not like I can afford anything else right now, but if there estimate is THIS far off is it worth the headache?

I'd love to move, but what would that help? I know a guy who's f250 got stolen the same day in a 'better' area in a million dollar neighborhood. Easy targets will be stolen no matter where you live.

 

^ what heavy said. It got stolen from your house, that's rare. Could install cameras out side of your house, and have motion lights. If you're really paranoid, unplug the FICM from the injectors. Have done that a few times parking when I know I will be gone for a while.

 

always see ravelco recommended (and its something i want to get installed), but rare you see success stories

 

I coulda sworn I had seen your avatar somewhere. Is that Adam Baldwin?

 

I have had two attempted break-ins on my truck. The Jimmi Jammers prevented them from getting inside both times.

 

These thieves aren't the best or brightest in the criminal game or they would be stealing more valuable items. Our trucks are just easy to jack, so they're popular. Most anything you can do to make it more difficult or take longer or use more talent, will most likely deter the thief from taking your truck. I added an alarm system to mine because I figured that might also make the truck more saleable down the road. Now, if Sean Connery arrives in his Bentley to steal my 6.0...I'm totally screwed, because he's gonna figure-out that Viper system real quick...but if it's your average everyday drug-addicted thief, then I'm probably covered.

 

Put me in the "Ravelco saved my truck category". After that break-in, also put Jimmi Jammers in 4 doors.

 

This thread had a do it yourself bypass. One of the posters had originally put a 12 relay system together, but has since edited his post and taken the picture down. I assume for security reasons, but a DM might get him to send it to you.

Someone almost stole my truck with just a screwdriver

Hey all, Not sure how many people know this but the 99-04 trucks are easy as heck to steal! You can easily break the door lock with just a screwdriver and the keys have no electronic safety measures like a chip. All you need is to push the screwdriver into the ignition far enough and turn it...

www.powerstroke.org

I'd see this as a temporary thing though, and move. A truck moving out of your driveway is just the start, after that it's going to be worse. At best, property values are going to decline as crime rates in your area go up; better to be one of the first out unless you think you're going to stick it out and fight general trends. But I don't think our country has gotten fed up enough with PC BS to bring the hammer down yet.

 

I’m the OP of this thread. I can also recommend a viper alarm system. Been working very well so far. Mine also has remote start but if you don’t care about that a revelco + security system + jimmi jammers is probably the way to go.


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They negotiate all day long about reducing the payout of an insurance claim. The average person is so underwater in this situation. Steller reviews are about what employees paid out the least. It's like trying to BS a cop; they hear the BS all day.

 

what i did to my gasser F250 SD (not sure if the diesel is the same) was, in the pass side kick panel is the "accident fuel shut off switch". So after an accident you have to push the button on it to get fuel going again. I wired in a heavy amp switch inline with this switch. When i want the vehicle "safe" i turn the switch off, thus no fuel flow. to drive it turn the wired switch on and it is as normal. Easy to install and operate . yaopen the pas side door, reach in and flip the switch to the desired position. on my 99 f250 gasser there is a hole you stick yer finger in to reset as req'd.

 

I have a high end viper alarm. Due to the ease which these truck can be taken, I put in a Revalco. Best piece of mind I ever spent money on. Unless towed away, not going anywhere. I reccomend it. Plus your insurance may give you a break because of it.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your truck getting stolen. I had to press the car insurance company and I got similar $$$ as you but you have way more damage.

Read my post on what I did. #5 had it all. I still have the truck!

Tire boot

Any recommendations for a tire boot for a 2005 F-250.? Was looking at this one. My tires are normal sized truck tires.

www.powerstroke.org

 

A manual transmission is one of the best ways to deter theft in an F250. Take it up one notch by padlocking the brake and the clutch pedal together. The 6.0's are the last trucks you can do this with, unfortunately. Other than that live someplace like rural Idaho. If i do overnight in someplace questionable I use this:

 

A manual transmission is one of the best ways to deter theft in an F250. Take it up one notch by padlocking the brake and the clutch pedal together. The 6.0's are the last trucks you can do this with, unfortunately. Other than that live someplace like rural Idaho. If i do overnight in someplace questionable I use this: View attachment 780245

Woah this is an awesome idea! Way better than a club probably.


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yes I have a viper smart start tracking system vsm550. it's a cellular gps tracker. 300 for 3 yr service. but I know where my vehicle is at all times it's hidden well so they don't know about it. cops would be on them in a minute with this feature. it's a must in these older trucks if u want a quick recover. can steal one in under 5 mins. the plastic door locks are garbage. get a alarm.as well noise is better than no noise. also riff raff diesel sells a metal door Jimmy kit. metal plates that install in the door so it can't be Jimmied and stolen.

 

Had mine (03 350) stolen about 7 years ago. Got it back a week later with damage and missing parts. Insurance made it right, including paint job with no hassle. Agree with earlier post about taking to body shop as they will write an estimate.

Since then, use a giant club lock. Figure it is visual deterrent against these assholes looking for a quick hit. No problems since.

 

My truck and dump trailer were both stolen 2 years ago. I use gpsandtrack.com units on all my equipment and trucks. It was recovered within 90 minutes of theft, the thief caught and all my tools restored from the thiefs house (caught red handed bringing them into the house). It has realtime capabilities.

 

do you know the power draw on this?

 

Update: It's totaled. Fighting over the value now but I'll probably buy it back as salvage and just keep truckin'
Currently they are looking at cashing out 13.9k with $3600 buy back.

Jimmy Jammers are for sure going to happen. I see now where the thief pried in behind my door handle. Still on the fence about the Ravelco, it seems like a viable option but I am also thinking about cutting costs as much as I can during the rebuild. A buddy is willing to give me an old Viper alarm he never installed and I can pull a fuse or two.

Probably moving the wifes suburban to the garage, parking truck in the driveway (sorry pedestrians, I stick out AND leak oil) and installing motion activated floodlight cameras over my driveway. If it gets stolen after that they can keep it. Then the only car on the street will be my Toyota Echo...and who wants that?

Tomorrow I have to appear at the courthouse. I'm assuming I'll be making a statement again - No, I didn't give this guy permission to drive my truck, when I last saw it, etc etc. Fun stuff.

 

My '06 was stolen from my Farm while I was disking in the field next to it -- insurance gave much less than the truck was worth -- Hope you have better luck with them

@Mikesta , I am interested in learning more about your experience with the geo tracker -- I see 120 for the unit and 25 a year after the initial 2 years -- PM me if you want

 

@Hydro and others.

I read through the website and it said "we offer the latest CDMA devices on the Network.". This might be old language because elsewhere it mentions 4G. Most CDMA/3G networks are going to be turned off in 2022. Verify before you buy.

 

Yeah, I have some trail cams that use 3G and got the notification - bummer
Seen the 4G and CDMA on their site - will be calling 'today' to find out which is correct

 

Defendant pled guilty and I didn't have to appear in court. Small victories... I'll take 'em

 

Sent you a message about a product I use on multiple vehicles and I know for a fast its kept my truck in my posession multiple times eps when I travel across the country.