[cybrjoe]

I think I washed my new truck about once a day the first two weeks I owned my new F250. Absolutely beautiful truck with no mods yet, minus the remote-start, keyless entry. Third week of ownership wasn't so positive. Last week I had the truck STOLEN right out of my driveway in a decent neighborhood in Ft Lauderdale, FL.

5 minutes later police recovered the truck about 5 miles away and caught the guy with a K9 unit. 5 minutes had me thinking it's wasn't going to be that bad. Was I wrong ...

5 minutes gave this idiot enough time to drag a telephone pole down the side of the truck, essentially destroying the passenger side of the truck, as well as toeing-out the front alignment, rendering the truck almost undrivable. I also noticed some engine hesitation, which might be related to the front-end drivability. So couple of questions ...

1.) Truck had about 2,000 miles on it, so it's esentially new. Any advice to make sure it's mechanically returned to like-new status? (I understand it will never be "new" again.) I'm confident they'll fix the outside, but are body shops equiped to handle bigger trucks?

2.) Why steal a 250 diesel? Doesn't appear anywhere on hot stolen car list anywhere. Are they chopping these trucks or shipping them out the Port of Miami? What do you think was going to happen had I not called the cops?

3.) I want the best security system and remote start avaible on the truck when I get it back. Is there any recommendations that are diesel-friendly options out there? or are the gas-counterparts the same?

Anyway, still getting the insurance company to get the repairs approved, but hopefully I'll have my truck back in the next three weeks or so. Going through this whole ordeal makes me wish I waited to call the cops. I'd be in a new truck if this one had been on a boat to Cambodia. Thanks for the great site though ...

 

[062283]

Sorry to hear about your loss. That is a major bummer. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

1- I have Allstate insurance. Several years ago I was hit head on by a drunk driver with my Ram 3500. The total repair bill was almost $16,000, and honestly, the truck drives like new. The only real problem that cropped up after the fact that I feel like I can blame on the accident was a cracked aluminum tranny housing. So, yes, I think there are body shops equipped to work on bigger trucks.

2- Nasty people do nasty things, I guess.

3- No idea, sorry.

Good luck with your ordeal. I hope the insurance company treats you right and you get everything resolved to your satisfaction. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[cybrjoe]

Well thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you had quite an accident. I had a good friend that was almost killed in his F350 about 2 years ago out in CO. Being an older truck (87 I believe), the lack of airbags almost killed himself and his fiance. I hope your accident turned out better than theirs. Safety technology is quite amazing these days.

 

[STG]

I have a Clifford (Viper) security system on my 2004 Mach1. I don't have the remote start feature enabled as my car is a 5 speed manual (don't want to remote start it in gear).

I do have a proximity sensor normally used for convertibles. When it's switched on, you can't get close to the car without getting warning "beeps" from the alarm. Stay close to the car, and the alarm goes off. This feature can be disabled on demand. Theoretically, a thief can't get close enough to work on the car without setting the alarm off.

Don't waste your time getting an alarm installed at some discount electronics store. I called the manufacturer direct and asked to speak to the dealer rep for my area. I asked him to recommend a shop for the installation - it worked out great.

My branmd new F250 is getting an alarm real soon.

 

[cybrjoe]

Cool, I definitely like the Clifford systems. I think I'll call them and find an installer instead of taking it to Best Buy or something. I like the idea of the proximity sensor, but those wireless zones are cool too. Any experiance with fuel cutoffs or anything similar?

 

[noa1794]

Suggest you find out how long you are covered for this incident in case you find something wrong much later, like in a year or so, that happened during the theft. And/or do not prematurely "sign off" on your claim. Unless you have frame damage you should get a full repair. If you do have frame damage then it depends on how good the shop is that does the repair. Some shops seem to be able to handle it, others don't. You might also look into rust prevention. Some body shops are notorious for not restoring full rust prevention to new and old sheet metal parts. There have been many cases where body shops did not even bother to paint the inside sheet metal surfaces.

 

[cybrjoe]

From what the shop told me, the frame looks good. They won't know until they start pulling parts though. Good advice on signing off though, I'm going to check my policy and length of coverage on those repairs.

 

[Larryect]

I installed a PowerLock on mine. It seems to work well. It's not so much an alarm as it is a starter interlock. What I like is it automatically arms 45 seconds after ignition shutdown. Works well with my turbo cooldown. I don't believe anyone is taking the truck without a tow truck. I do believe I have found its one weakness. If you really want to know send me an email and I will let you know what it is.

I am not affiliated with the company.