Best place to hide a GPS tracking device in your car?

[Jarus187]

I just bought a GPS tracking device, where would the best place to hide it inside the vehicle be? Its about the size of a pack of gum.

I have decals that say that my car is tracked by GPS, so I don't want theives tearing up the interior, finding the transmitter, and throwing it out before they drive off with it. I have a 2007 Honda Civic Sedan.

I thought about hardwiring it to my battery, but that would be too obvious.

Thanks!

[jdong]

To be honest that's one of those things you don't openly advertise on the car as a threat. That defeats the purpose of concealing it.


As far as a good concealed location, usually under the driver's side, above the pedal area there should be a lot of inconspicuous places to hide things that blend in well with the jungle of wires that typically dominate the cavity.

[Jarus187]

Yeah I thought about removing the decals, but I'm kinda torn between using it as a deterrant or having the element of surprise on my side.

I'd much rather have people not mess with my car than take me on a rollercoaster ride tracking them down in real-time on Google maps.

Although, when they do get caught, it would be a priceless moment :)

[freestyla86]

Where did you get your GPS tracker? Is it just like lojack? Sounds like a pretty cool thing to have!

[cell21633]

don't put the decals on your car. it's not a theft deterrent to have them on. if anything, it'll make them work faster to get the car to a secure area. the best way to protect your car is through layers of security and you don't want to go around advertising what you have installed

[jdong]

If I were a burglar:

If I saw a house that said "Protected by (whatever) Security Alarm System", that'd seriously make me think twice about attempting a break-in. The slightest miscalculation would set off an alarm and send the police coming my way, not to mention wake everyone in the house, attract neighbor attention, etc.


If I saw a car that said "Protected by (whatever) GPS Tracking System", that'd just make me try harder to deactivate the GPS system because there's really no consequence to doing so, particularly knowing that it'll probably take on the order of hours before they can track me down by GPS in the worst case scenario.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Yeah you are only supposed to put the sticker on your car that isn't tracked by GPS, and put the tracker in the car that doesn't have the sticker :lol: :lol:

[swarga]

If I were a burglar:

If I saw a house that said "Protected by (whatever) Security Alarm System", that'd seriously make me think twice about attempting a break-in.

OTOH, if you were a better burglar, you'd see that sign and think "Oh, I know how to disarm that kind of alarm!" and you'd break into the house anyway. :D

My favorite stickers for cars are the one from the James Bond movie which say simply "Burglar Protected." In the film (Spy Who Loved Me?), a burglar smashes the window of Bond's Lotus and the car blows up. :lol:

[KustomEagle]

Put a "fake" tracker on the dash; make it a little black box; hell get a project box from rat shack and put some random circiut board in there w/ a battery; 99% of people will think thats it and chunk it while the real tracker is elsewhere.

[Jarus187]

The GPS I have is called "The Snitch":

http://gps-snitch.com/index.html

Here's a video demo: http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/27029

It's really cool! Didn't burn a hole in my pocket either. About 500$ canadian for a whole years worth of tracking. Basically I can go on google maps and track my car at all times. Also it has an arming feature, when u turn this on, basically it activates a security movement sensor in the GPS, so if my car detects movement, it'll send me a text message on my phone, also theres a perimeter alarm, so if it goes 100 meters from the point I armed it (like if someone stole your car), it'll text me too. I think I found a great place for it.

And yeah, I'll take the advice and take down the decals. Thanks for the replys guys!

[swarga]

I've wanted something like this for a long time. Every time I drop my Corvette off for service I'm worried about some scumbag tech taking my car for a joyride. :evil: With this thing I'd be able to relax - at least until I got the alert. :lol:

I know exactly where I would hide it, too. The great thing about a plastic car is you can hide radio equipment just about anywhere. :wink:

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I've wanted something like this for a long time. Every time I drop my Corvette off for service I'm worried about some scumbag tech taking my car for a joyride. :evil: With this thing I'd be able to relax - at least until I got the alert. :lol:

I know exactly where I would hide it, too. The great thing about a plastic car is you can hide radio equipment just about anywhere. :wink:

You need one of these

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/454.14.jpg

Alternatively just put a keyswitch in series with four of the fuel injectors (assuming eight), that will decrease the incidence.

Me I would just buy some tools and jack pucks :wink:

[KustomEagle]

then the dumb sumumabeach techs will think your car is broke adn try to charge you like $3k for a new computer and injectors since thats all their "ASE Certified" UTI bullsheet training "taught" them.

I took my honda in one time to get the speedo "calibrated" to get out of a ticket (worked btw) and i put a valet chip in it w/ a 4k rev limit; 0psi boost cut and 60mph speed limiter and OF COURSE the 19 or so yo tech that was driving my car was like "I think your computer is broke der der der we gots another wun" And then I explained to him the magic of ecu tuning.

[JDS]

I took my honda in one time to get the speedo "calibrated" to get out of a ticket (worked btw) and i put a valet chip in it w/ a 4k rev limit; 0psi boost cut and 60mph speed limiter and OF COURSE the 19 or so yo tech that was driving my car was like "I think your computer is broke der der der we gots another wun" And then I explained to him the magic of ecu tuning.He didn't install the new one without asking, did he?

[Nighthawk243]

When it comes to tuning the car, thats why I always advocate keeping one on hand that has the stock tune in it. That way, if you ever need to take it in, you can just swap it. That way you're not confusing the hell out of the mechanics. God knows they cannot understand aftermarket.

Anyways, I'm not sure of the bumper setup of the Civic, but when I had my GA, I placed my spare key up in the rear bumper support underneath the car.

[RW'07]

My car doesn't start if no key in the ignition AND it's gotta be the ORIGINAL key only...

[ELVATO]

^You mean PATS?

[RW'07]

^You mean PATS?

What's PATS? :idea:

[ELVATO]

Passive Anti Theft System. I know Ford uses it on a lot of it's cars. It might be under a different name for other car manufacturers? Basically, it's a "chipped" key that has been programmed for your car. It won't start if you don't have the correct programmed key in, though I hear there are way of getting around it. On Fords, you can tell the cars that have it by a red blinking light on the dash.

[RW'07]

Passive Anti Theft System. I know Ford uses it on a lot of it's cars. It might be under a different name for other car manufacturers? Basically, it's a "chipped" key that has been programmed for your car. It won't start if you don't have the correct programmed key in, though I hear there are way of getting around it. On Fords, you can tell the cars that have it by a red blinking light on the dash.

I don't have a Ford BUT I DO have that red blinking light on the dash (or rather inside the dash by the speedometer) apart of a second red light blinking by the freaking special factory-built stereo/equalizer/ipod/cd/radio system...

Thank you for the heads up and please keep it for yourself with the "a way of getting around it" :lol:

[ELVATO]

LOL don't worry, I don't know how to get around it, I've just heard other people say it on boards. :lol:

[JDS]

I don't think I have any red blinking light, but my car DOES have an immobilizer that makes it almost completely impossible to start without a properly programmed key...it's still really easy to tow away, though :lol:

[Nighthawk243]

Its a system similiar to GM's PASSKEY system. As mentioned, its a coded key that if you try using an unauthorized/programmed copy, the car will not start. Infact, if you do not use the proper key to start the car, it'll shut your fuel pump off.

Now, there are modules available/ways to bypass the system. These modules are readily available since the system can be incompatable with certain aftermarket addons such as remote starters...etc. Another trick some use is to keep an ignition switch with a programmed key under the dash to fool the car into thinking it has the key in.

[ELVATO]

Yea, they have those PATS by-pass modules on clearance at Advanced Auto all the time. You can get them for like 6 bucks. But, it says on the package you need the original key, or something like that.

[Jared Hoven]

The GPS tracker I have is called "Trackimo"

I have seen people put trackers most of the time on bumpers and even under the wheel well in some videos (would be okay I guess if waterproof). Also there are some really cool places I never thought of to place the tracker. Like inside of a seat that might have a remove-able cover.

Here was some of the other ways they explain how to hide it.
https://trackimo.com/hide-gps-tracker-on-car/

The best place is in the dashboard as it would never be found unless you do some real digging. I just keep mine under the back passengers seats in my 2010 Silverado.