Vecman's Build - Boyhood Dreams Realized!
- OP 🔹 Vecman
- Start date
- OP 🔹
- #122
I have been thinking about security options for this truck. Usually I just take normal measures, and let insurance do it's thing. But in today's commodity restricted market, I don't want to wait 6+ months to replace a stolen truck, nor do I want to take the time to re-install all the modifications I'm doing. I love this truck, and want to keep it in my possession.
1 - Many on the forum have gone the Revelco route. I personally do not want to go that route, mainly because I don't like keys, and I don't want to carry that plug-in around. No remote start capability.
2 - I've seen people discuss kill switches, and that interested my more, since I don't have to carry anything around, and it's simple switch, so no big deal. I will discuss this more shortly. But still, no remote start capability.
3 - Starline i96 - https://www.alarmstarline.com/starline-i96can/
This is my preferred option. It is a car immobiliser, similar to a kill switch, but allows full function of the trucks remote start capability. It also has other features, like hijack mode - if the vehicle has been driving, and it now senses driving without your bluetooth connection, it will shut down the vehicle and slow it to a stop. This allows the driver to get out of the car, get to a safe spot, and call the police, and the truck will be within a mile or so of the crime. The vehicle recognizes the driver in 1 of 3 ways - authorized bluetooth/phone connection, RFID dongle, or (my favorite), inputting a code using the existing factory steering wheel buttons. James Bond action!
The Starline i96 is not sold/offered in the USA. They are used a lot by the London Car Alarm Co on YouTube, and you can do a search and see a ton of video examples of how it works.
I was able to source one from a distributor in Estonia, and the dealer was very clear that this is not a DIY system. It taps into the CANBUS on the truck. I am basically waiting to either talk to someone that knows this well enough to talk me through it, or to find someone to do the install. The dealer provided his contact info and said he was happy to discuss some install tips with my installer once I determine who that will be.
So, temporarily, I am going with the killswitch method, until such time that I can figure out the Starline option. Then I will have both options.
For those of you that know PTT A-Rod, the YouTube Powerstroke guy, he does offer a killswitch kit, and it is very slick (in my opinion). I won't discuss it further (to maintain the stealth of it), but I will be installing it this weekend, and I will let you know how well it functions. Anyone interested in that kit, can then PM me and I'll be happy to pass along Aaron's email (it is on some of his YouTube videos). Yes, electrical savvy peeps could recreate the kit easily and cheaply, but I like supporting peoples ideas when it's not crazy priced. And it's much easier to get it sourced and ready to install then getting piece by piece (again, my opinion).
That's my thought process for security. I know the jimmy jammers are being used on the doors, and I may also still do this, just to help prevent access, but ultimately, I don't want them to drive the truck away. I know if they really want it, they will take it, but I feel like the above options are enough of a deterrent so to make my truck the wrong choice.
So, besides the above security mods, I have a bunch of SPE Motorsport engine components to install this weekend as well, and finish up the air lines for the quick connect coupler.
1 - Many on the forum have gone the Revelco route. I personally do not want to go that route, mainly because I don't like keys, and I don't want to carry that plug-in around. No remote start capability.
2 - I've seen people discuss kill switches, and that interested my more, since I don't have to carry anything around, and it's simple switch, so no big deal. I will discuss this more shortly. But still, no remote start capability.
3 - Starline i96 - https://www.alarmstarline.com/starline-i96can/
This is my preferred option. It is a car immobiliser, similar to a kill switch, but allows full function of the trucks remote start capability. It also has other features, like hijack mode - if the vehicle has been driving, and it now senses driving without your bluetooth connection, it will shut down the vehicle and slow it to a stop. This allows the driver to get out of the car, get to a safe spot, and call the police, and the truck will be within a mile or so of the crime. The vehicle recognizes the driver in 1 of 3 ways - authorized bluetooth/phone connection, RFID dongle, or (my favorite), inputting a code using the existing factory steering wheel buttons. James Bond action!
The Starline i96 is not sold/offered in the USA. They are used a lot by the London Car Alarm Co on YouTube, and you can do a search and see a ton of video examples of how it works.
I was able to source one from a distributor in Estonia, and the dealer was very clear that this is not a DIY system. It taps into the CANBUS on the truck. I am basically waiting to either talk to someone that knows this well enough to talk me through it, or to find someone to do the install. The dealer provided his contact info and said he was happy to discuss some install tips with my installer once I determine who that will be.
So, temporarily, I am going with the killswitch method, until such time that I can figure out the Starline option. Then I will have both options.
For those of you that know PTT A-Rod, the YouTube Powerstroke guy, he does offer a killswitch kit, and it is very slick (in my opinion). I won't discuss it further (to maintain the stealth of it), but I will be installing it this weekend, and I will let you know how well it functions. Anyone interested in that kit, can then PM me and I'll be happy to pass along Aaron's email (it is on some of his YouTube videos). Yes, electrical savvy peeps could recreate the kit easily and cheaply, but I like supporting peoples ideas when it's not crazy priced. And it's much easier to get it sourced and ready to install then getting piece by piece (again, my opinion).
That's my thought process for security. I know the jimmy jammers are being used on the doors, and I may also still do this, just to help prevent access, but ultimately, I don't want them to drive the truck away. I know if they really want it, they will take it, but I feel like the above options are enough of a deterrent so to make my truck the wrong choice.
So, besides the above security mods, I have a bunch of SPE Motorsport engine components to install this weekend as well, and finish up the air lines for the quick connect coupler.
- OP 🔹
- #124
I get that, but that's why I said what I said. Nothing further. LolFirst rule of killswitch is you don’t talk about the killswitch.
I think it comes down to what you use for your kill switch. As discussed on some other posts if you use something like neutral safety, then it seems it would still start no problem, you just could not go into gear without the kill switch engaged.
I postulated on a lot of options for a remote start compatible kill switch while I was waiting on delivery of my truck. Now that I have it and I've seen how it requires the second tap once in the truck, I am positive there must be multiple circuits in the system that could be tapped to prevent full start up and departure without the kill switch.
- OP 🔹
- #126
So, about a month ago, I posted about buying an XLT Ranger Tremor for my boys.
(post #63 if anyone cares)
Since my son is not quite done with his license, my wife decided to drive it around. Yep, that was a mistake. She loved it! She came to me and said, “I want a Ranger for myself”. Mind you, my wife is not a car/truck person. She doesn’t care what she drives, as long as it’s in good condition and is reliable. So for her to actually want a particular truck was shocking! I said, okay, you want a Ranger, cool, I’ll see what I can find. “No, I want a Tremor too!” Haha!!
Can’t say no to the wife, so….
Welcome to the family, Iconic Silver Tremor!!
My wife is so giddy - I like that. Always leads to grateful rewards!
(post #63 if anyone cares)
Since my son is not quite done with his license, my wife decided to drive it around. Yep, that was a mistake. She loved it! She came to me and said, “I want a Ranger for myself”. Mind you, my wife is not a car/truck person. She doesn’t care what she drives, as long as it’s in good condition and is reliable. So for her to actually want a particular truck was shocking! I said, okay, you want a Ranger, cool, I’ll see what I can find. “No, I want a Tremor too!” Haha!!
Can’t say no to the wife, so….
Welcome to the family, Iconic Silver Tremor!!
My wife is so giddy - I like that. Always leads to grateful rewards!
- OP 🔹
- #127
My PTT ARod product is in. Very clean and it works perfectly. Finished up the onboard air system today. Installed a release valve with the cable tucked away so I don’t have to get under the truck when I want to drain the tank. Works very well also.
Placed the push to connect in the fuel door area. I was gonna run two lines for the airbags, but I decided to hold off on that for now. There’s room to the right of the air connect if I end up placing them. Very happy with how this all turned out.
Placed the push to connect in the fuel door area. I was gonna run two lines for the airbags, but I decided to hold off on that for now. There’s room to the right of the air connect if I end up placing them. Very happy with how this all turned out.
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Looks awesome! Good call with the remote release pull.
- OP 🔹
- #129
Just got an email today - the truck I ordered back in June has been scheduled with a build date of March 21st. If that holds true, then delivery would be around end of April. That’s almost 11 months from order to delivery. Insane. I’m so glad I listened to my buddy and ordered a second truck.
Are you going to take it still or let the dealer mark it up on the lot?Why not you keep the margin towards your upgrades.
- OP 🔹
- #131
No, they can do what they want with it. I have no interest in dealing with it, or then trying to sell it higher to someone else. I just was shocked I could have still been sitting here without a truck. And that build had nothing fancy on it either. So stupid. AS was dropped in August. No clue why it would have been held up till March, when back then, commodity restrictions on my order weren’t in play.
Makes sense, even if you can turn it around for a profit, it’s still a hustle. And depending on what deal you’re getting, under invoice, xplan , etc, it might not be worth the headache to deal with it. But it is easy enough for dealer to mark it up 10-15K on msrp and sell it in a week.
And yea, that wait is insane. You made the right move backing up your order when you did.
- Staff 🛡️
- #133
- Jun 25, 2021
- 11,008
- 20,655
- 22MY F250 Star White Lariat Tremor
- 22MY Winnebago Voyage 2831RB
@Vecman we joined the Ranger family today. I've had Rangers before but it has been ~20 years or so since my last one. This one is for my youngest son to drive. Oxford White XLT Supercab 4X4. Dirty since we drove it home on crappy Michigan roads:So, about a month ago, I posted about buying an XLT Ranger Tremor for my boys.
(post #63 if anyone cares)
Since my son is not quite done with his license, my wife decided to drive it around. Yep, that was a mistake. She loved it! She came to me and said, “I want a Ranger for myself”. Mind you, my wife is not a car/truck person. She doesn’t care what she drives, as long as it’s in good condition and is reliable. So for her to actually want a particular truck was shocking! I said, okay, you want a Ranger, cool, I’ll see what I can find. “No, I want a Tremor too!” Haha!!
Can’t say no to the wife, so….
View attachment 44457
Welcome to the family, Iconic Silver Tremor!!
My wife is so giddy - I like that. Always leads to grateful rewards!
I was surprised that it has a higher payload capacity than my last F150:
- OP 🔹
- #134
They’re fun to drive! I’ve been very happy with it! Welcome back to the club!
- OP 🔹
- #135
Finally got around to installing my centramatics today. It’s not fun taking off/putting on 100+ pound tire/wheel combos. You could see just a bit of the disc through my wheels, so I quickly painted them (close-up showing the disc through the slot. It’s not much, but didn’t want to take the chance and have to redo anything), installed them, and took it for a short test drive. I’m impressed so far. @Tucsontremor, I have a long freeway drive tomorrow so I’ll give a better review then and see if it solves the issue we were having.
Have a safe trip! Look forward to hearing your results.
- OP 🔹
- #137
Centramatics are awesome! As an update to my previous post - first long drive today since the install. I can’t believe the difference these make to ride quality. Truck felt smoother, and I felt like it didn’t wander around the lane. It just tracked nicely and needed very little input to stay straight. Just the normal driving corrections needed for uneven roads. I used to have a subtle left drift. I tried to pay attention today to this drift I had before. Honestly couldn’t tell if it was there or not. I take that as a win. Wish I would have done this a lot sooner.
Holy Shit, how many Ford Pass points do you have!?!? Seriously though, congrats on a great truck. I hope they prove to be as reliable as the previous generation of Rangers...no reason to think otherwise. So does your son have any mods planned?
- OP 🔹
- #139
The 16yr old doesn’t, but the 13yr old who will inherit it next sure does! Haha!Holy Shit, how many Ford Pass points do you have!?!? Seriously though, congrats on a great truck. I hope they prove to be as reliable as the previous generation of Rangers...no reason to think otherwise. So does your son have any mods planned?
What is Centramatics?
