Upgraded Locks?

[16vMatt]

Was just wondering if anyone had somehow upgraded the door locks on their T25 at all or if there was a kit out there to do it. Discovered how willing they were to open when I left my van parked at college went to the toilet, came back and found my mate sat in the passenger seat who's house key happened to fit. As does my own house key and my shed key.

[CovKid]

They just need overhauling. The lock wafers wear out: http://www.hallvw.clara.net/lockpart.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I recently replaced my front door locks completely (£13 each), retumbled one to match the other, then retumbled the remainder to match those. Its the most logical way to do it. The wafers are available on their own.

Also: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Bo ... oors_locks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and if you search, you'll find many posts on here concerning locks.

[16vMatt]

Thanks

[CovKid]

I should add, so far no one has come up with a complete rehash of the lock barrels. I've looked at it many times as well as things like electro deadlocks. It is both complex and prohibitively expensive to solve. That said, the originals (in good condition or subsequently rebuilt) do the job well. Definately worth buying new front locks/handles although if you want the same key for everything, you must start with a new ignition lock and retumble to that. Doing it the other way around - ie retumbling an ignition lock to match a door lock, is next to impossible as it uses a lot more tumblers and they're not the same thickness as the other locks. It would not be not cost effective to even try so you have to start with new ignition lock.

I'm quite happy with a different key for ignition and arguably it adds more of a rubik (albeit 80s) element to proceedings.

[shepster]

In all fairness though any self respecting car thief would be in within seconds, I think preventing the van being driven off is a far more worthwhile deterrent.

[kevtherev]

Spend the money on a tracker

[CovKid]

Tracker or not, slowing the thief down is more preferable, ie making it damned difficult to start and any attempt at hotwiring fruitless. Whilst its comforting to have a tracker its not a foolproof way of getting the vehicle back, plus you have to chase then. Not ideal. Good locks do make life simpler for the owner though - well worth doing. At one time you could open my sliding door with a 20p coin - as I discovered when I locked myself out once. Accurate locks just help nobble the casual door-tryer intent on pinching something on view from outside. The above should help though. The alternative is to weld the van to a lamp post everynight.

I suppose a useful test is to see (with van locked) how quickly you can get in without your own keys and without breaking anything. I suggest every owner tries that. You may be surprised....

[16vMatt]

I intend to sort my locks out then get one of these for when it's parked at night or for a long time in town. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 26&alt=web" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

Tracker or not, slowing the thief down is more preferable, ie making it damned difficult to start and any attempt at hotwiring fruitless. Whilst its comforting to have a tracker its not a foolproof way of getting the vehicle back, plus you have to chase then. Not ideal. Good locks do make life simpler for the owner though - well worth doing. At one time you could open my sliding door with a 20p coin - as I discovered when I locked myself out once. Accurate locks just help nobble the casual door-tryer intent on pinching something on view from outside. The above should help though. The alternative is to weld the van to a lamp post everynight.

I suppose a useful test is to see (with van locked) how quickly you can get in without your own keys and without breaking anything. I suggest every owner tries that. You may be surprised....

I'd be surprised if the windows were not broken.
The average bloke does not have the skills of a trained thief, and cannot test it.
Breakdown truck theft is the easiest way, and the quickest.
It would be interesting to dispel some myths about camper thefts, percentages and statistics not suppositions and hearsay.