Has anyone upgraded their locks to Solex Locks on their Maverick / Comet?

Hello guys,
I am currently in the process of swaping cars; I am retireing my 90 camry (Old Faithful) to rebuild it from the ground up. ANd motor swap 3sGTE, etc .. anyways I am planning on driving the old 72 as a daily driver. My question for you guys is . Has any one upgraded to these solex type locks either the barrel type or key type. ( I have both ) .. Anyways I test fitted the locks on the 72 & I may have to enlarge the holes on the doors .. But since I live in Los Angeles I want to prevent my maverick from being stolen Or try to slow the process of an auto theft . As I have heard someone on the forum was a victim of an auto theft . I included one pic of the camry and another of someone elses locks for referance , the camry pic is an old one & my camera died.. Any tips and or suggestion would really be appriciated. Heres a shot of the soon to be daily driver.

 

I don't think locks would prevent anything, especially in LA where they sell slim jims at the corner stores. They do look cool though.

If your worried about theft get good insurance or a lowjack.

 

I agree. People stealing these cars are bypassing the lock all together. You're not going to foil anyone with a fancy key. It will get you geek points though, using that server rack key to open your car doors.

 

They wont pick the lock anyways...Just pop the window and 20 seconds later...

Install a concealed kill switch so it cant be started at all.

 

I have a set on my Camry; so far I can double lock it meaning the lock stays locked and if I try to pull on it from inside it stays down. On the other hand I have to get out and unlock it manually outside ( if i forget it in 2nd lock mode) and sometimes it is a chore..anyways thanks for the input Im going to try & explore other methods of preventing auto theft.

http://www.solextoplock.com/about1.php

http://www.lockworld.com/vandal.htm

 

I like the kill switch idea ; may be alot better ...possibly cheaper and more effective..

 

lol One reason I went with the locks on the camry ; I had seen a set on my friends AE86 Corolla; My camry was broken into ; stolen then recovered, then broken into again .. the thieves decided to keep on going until they saw I had a club on the steering wheel... as you may know the locks on old Toyota`s go bad you can stick any key in the slot & it will turn on ... Hopefully Its not the same for the maverick; this time I'm mounting a pedal lock , club . & now I'm looking into a kill switch , I may try to have it disguised as a headlight Hi /Lo switch if its possible..

 

A friend in high school had an old corolla that he'd crank with a paper clip just to be funny. Didn't know it was a common problem.

 

I think running it through the headlight switch actually sounds like a good idea. Have to turn on the lights to get it to run..

 

I was just going to suggest finding a "Club". That and a hidden kill switch will be your best deterent. But if the theives stake out your car, they'll find the kill switch just by watching what you do to start the car.

 

I doubt you use the high beams much in LA, right? Use that for the kill switch maybe?

 

Another light switch idea is using the dome light contacts. They are isolated from the rest of the light switch circuit. Just won't be able to turn on the dome light without opening the door.

 

That is true; if someone really wants it so bad they will take it .

 

I really like that Idea ; very low key & stealthy . I'm going to speak with my electrical guy to see if he will be able to do it for me..

 

I dont but half of the guys around here are driving 4X4s with 8000 or more H.I.D headlights or foglights sometimes both ; I always get blinded so Im proably goin to up grade to Silverstars and I already mounted some yellow fogs behind my grille. Iwas think at 1st maybe a separate hi/lo switch at a location where it wont be a problem..

old pic with yellow fogs.and an updated one..they aren`t that bright.


with them off.