I just installed an ARB front bumper on my 4Runner and was wondering what exactly was keeping a potential thief from approaching my vehicle in the middle of the night, removing the six hex-bolts holding the bumper onto the bumper frame mounts, and walking away with my $850 bumper. Before getting a winch, I definitely wanted to make sure I had it somewhat protected to deter potential thieves.
Started by going to the local hardware store and getting two replacement bolts, but with an Allen-key type head. I figure a potential thief is less likely to have a complete Allen key set, or at least it would take them a good minute to find the right size. Ideally, I had wanted a Torx-head bolt, but my hardware store didn't have any in stock.
I decided to look at other potential options:
Tack weld onto the actual bolt heads, which would make them impossible to remove without a grinder and some time. I read that this is a bad practice because it can change the composition of the metal in the bolt, somehow, and make it more brittle. Decided not to go with this option.
I've also heard of people taking some steel / iron, forming it into a U shape, and tack welding the edges over the bolt head. This would prevent anyone from removing the bolt unless they first cut off the piece of steel to reveal the bolt head. I don't have access to a welder (plus it would be a little scary laying on my back, having sparks fly everywhere like that) and so I decided against this.
I didn't know if there were any aftermarket products to address this issue. I found one made by Tuffy Security:
Basically, it is a lock box for one bolt. Hopefully the pictures give you a good idea of how it works. I broke down and bought one, paid $35 for the box, and around $11 shipping. Expensive, but well-worth it if it even deters one potential thief from my bumper.
I also heard of a different product, similar to a wheel-lock for a lug-nut. Basically it has a keyed groove on top of it (and it's otherwise a typical bolt, just with a round head and a key in it), and you have to use the special key to unscrew it. It's called the Factor-55 bolt. I managed to find a picture, but everywhere that I tried to buy it from was out-of-stock (I only found it in like two online vendors, so that may be why).
I would buy one of these and stick it on there, just to have double-protection, but I don't know where else I could find it. You can never be too safe with a $800+ investment (which might have another $600+ winch attached to it...
On our 4Runners, the winch would be completely surrounded by the ARB bumper, which would mean the bumper would HAVE to come off to get the winch out, correct? So in essence there's no use in securing the winch with any of these measures if you have the bumper secured with one of these, right?
I know the bumper mounts for the ARB bumper cannot be removed without removing the vertical bolt going through the frame, and the nut on top of this vertical bolt can only be accessed with the bumper off. So this would prevent a thief from removing the bumper mounts where they slide onto the frame, and removing the winch / bumper / mounts as one huge piece..
Have any of you done any security measures like this to protect their rig? And don't mention not-parking in sketchy areas, or keeping it garaged always..because occasionally everyone will park in a parking lot, or somewhere (even if you don't think it's unsafe) that could lead their investment to be stolen, even in the middle of broad daylight.
Started by going to the local hardware store and getting two replacement bolts, but with an Allen-key type head. I figure a potential thief is less likely to have a complete Allen key set, or at least it would take them a good minute to find the right size. Ideally, I had wanted a Torx-head bolt, but my hardware store didn't have any in stock.
I decided to look at other potential options:
Tack weld onto the actual bolt heads, which would make them impossible to remove without a grinder and some time. I read that this is a bad practice because it can change the composition of the metal in the bolt, somehow, and make it more brittle. Decided not to go with this option.
I've also heard of people taking some steel / iron, forming it into a U shape, and tack welding the edges over the bolt head. This would prevent anyone from removing the bolt unless they first cut off the piece of steel to reveal the bolt head. I don't have access to a welder (plus it would be a little scary laying on my back, having sparks fly everywhere like that) and so I decided against this.
I didn't know if there were any aftermarket products to address this issue. I found one made by Tuffy Security:
Basically, it is a lock box for one bolt. Hopefully the pictures give you a good idea of how it works. I broke down and bought one, paid $35 for the box, and around $11 shipping. Expensive, but well-worth it if it even deters one potential thief from my bumper.
I also heard of a different product, similar to a wheel-lock for a lug-nut. Basically it has a keyed groove on top of it (and it's otherwise a typical bolt, just with a round head and a key in it), and you have to use the special key to unscrew it. It's called the Factor-55 bolt. I managed to find a picture, but everywhere that I tried to buy it from was out-of-stock (I only found it in like two online vendors, so that may be why).
I would buy one of these and stick it on there, just to have double-protection, but I don't know where else I could find it. You can never be too safe with a $800+ investment (which might have another $600+ winch attached to it...
On our 4Runners, the winch would be completely surrounded by the ARB bumper, which would mean the bumper would HAVE to come off to get the winch out, correct? So in essence there's no use in securing the winch with any of these measures if you have the bumper secured with one of these, right?
I know the bumper mounts for the ARB bumper cannot be removed without removing the vertical bolt going through the frame, and the nut on top of this vertical bolt can only be accessed with the bumper off. So this would prevent a thief from removing the bumper mounts where they slide onto the frame, and removing the winch / bumper / mounts as one huge piece..
Have any of you done any security measures like this to protect their rig? And don't mention not-parking in sketchy areas, or keeping it garaged always..because occasionally everyone will park in a parking lot, or somewhere (even if you don't think it's unsafe) that could lead their investment to be stolen, even in the middle of broad daylight.
